Vehicle with at least 3 wheels

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of vehicles and, more particularly, to a vehicle (1) with at least 3 wheels (5, 6, 11) comprising an outer fairing (2) and having a first deployed position (18) and a second collapsed position (19), as well as to the method for collapsing same, the method for deploying same, and lastly the use thereof.

Description

[0001] VEHICLE WITH AT LEAST 3 WHEELS

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of vehicles, and more particularly to a vehicle with at least 3 wheels comprising an external fairing and having a first unfolded position and a second folded position.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of folding the vehicle according to the invention being in the unfolded position.

[0004] Finally, the present invention relates to a method of unfolding the vehicle according to the invention while in the folded position.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to the use of such a vehicle.

[0006] For several years, vehicles with at least three wheels have been growing rapidly and offer numerous advantages. By design, they are generally more stable and safer than two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, or bikes. Furthermore, thanks to their superior stability and safety, three-wheeled vehicles are particularly suitable for transporting goods, parcels, or even people.

[0007] Three-wheeled vehicles, depending on their means of transport and their power (engine, electric or mechanical) can also be registered to drive on the road and / or on cycle paths, which, depending on the needs encountered, has many advantages.

[0008] For this purpose, there are many types of 3-wheeled vehicles such as classic tricycles with a seat, tricycles with pedaling directly on the front wheel, utility tricycles or three-wheelers which are part of cargo bikes for transporting goods or people, the recumbent tricycle particularly appreciated by athletes as well as the handcycle adapted for disabled people and featuring manual pedaling, and velomobiles with an aerodynamic fairing rather intended for performance. As mentioned above, some of these tricycles can be mechanically pedaled, that is to say that the user has pedals distributing mechanical energy directly to one or more wheels to move the vehicle forward, it is also possible that such vehicles have electric assistance or even a motorized version.

[0009] On the other hand, vehicles, particularly 2-wheel and 3-wheel vehicles, have benefited in recent years from numerous developments in their ability to fold into a compact form.

[0010] Indeed, we are now well aware of the market for 2-wheeled bicycles that fold at the frame level in order to be more easily transported or stored. We also know of 3-wheeled vehicles like strollers that can have numerous folding possibilities in order to reduce their space and be easily stored and moved.

[0011] On the other hand, these folding and refolding systems are insufficient when we are interested in vehicles with at least 3 wheels including an external fairing.

[0012] Some developments have been made but still prove to be insufficient, for example, the state of the art is known from document WO201 1 / 016722 which discloses a 3-wheeled vehicle which comprises a front part and a rear part, each having an upper and lower part which can move telescopically and in its upper part a closing cover.

[0013] In operation, it is possible to move the front part of the vehicle according to document WO201 1 / 016722 and superimpose the rear part on top of it, then compact the assembly to reduce the size in the folded position and finally the wheels will be detached from the vehicle to be inserted inside it to have a reduced format vehicle.

[0014] Unfortunately, although the vehicle according to this document may have certain advantages, it would benefit from being improved, particularly in view of the complexity, fragility and number of steps required for its folding. In addition, it would also benefit from being improved in the use position for the protection of the user from the external environment (bad weather, rain, wind, snow, water splashes, particularly from other vehicles, accidents and user safety, etc.), and in the storage position for protection against acts of vandalism, particularly the theft of vehicle parts, damage and deterioration.

[0015] Also known from the state of the art is document FR2124831 describing a four-wheeled vehicle, in particular a "small car", which can move from a position of use to a position of reduced size. This vehicle includes a central articulation allowing its size on the ground to be reduced, for example for parking.

[0016] Furthermore, document CN 103332237 is known describing a four-wheeled folding car whose passenger compartment is divided into several sections connected by hinges, making it possible to compress the space occupied and to fold the front and rear parts of the car.

[0017] Unfortunately, although the vehicles described in the previous documents allow for a reduction in ground space when folded, it turns out that the height space requirement is increased and that protection would benefit from improvement.

[0018] There is therefore a real need to provide a vehicle with at least 3 wheels including an external fairing which is particularly suitable for protecting the user in the operating position against the climatic and bad weather conditions of the external environment but also to be able to ensure their safety with respect to other vehicles.

[0019] There is also a real need to provide a vehicle that is easy to fold in order to make it quick and easy for the user but also so that the vehicle in the folded position is both protected from the external environment (climatic conditions and bad weather) and also protected from acts of theft, vandalism or even damage. In addition, there is also a need to provide a vehicle with at least 3 wheels that is suitable for travel on roads and / or cycle paths and that is particularly suitable for the transport of goods, parcels or even people.

[0020] Indeed, although the transport of parcels, goods and people by bicycle, bike or cargo bike is growing greatly, it unfortunately turns out that environmental and climatic conditions greatly affect the work efficiency of users / workers / deliverers. For example, we unfortunately notice that when periods of heavy rain, wind, snow or other bad weather are announced, the efficiency of delivery people decreases greatly, the motivation to deliver in a more ecological vehicle than by car or truck also decreases and finally that some workers would be more likely to fall ill by spending a working day in the rain, wind or snow. This, especially since their safety is generally compromised and the risk of accidents increases.

[0021] Similarly, passenger transport also proves to be more problematic and dangerous in difficult weather conditions and users in such cases generally resort to a more polluting means of transport such as the car.

[0022] The present invention thus aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a vehicle with at least 3 wheels comprising an external fairing which is suitable for individual use but also for the transport of goods, parcels, shopping or even people such as young children, which has reinforced protection in the position of use with regard to difficult climatic conditions (wind, rain, snow, storm) and environmental conditions (accidents, other vehicles traveling on the road or on a cycle path), which has ease and ease, or even automation in folding in order to provide a vehicle in the folded position and which has a functionality of easy storage and storage which has reinforced protection in view of the external environment (climatic conditions and bad weather) but also in view of acts of theft, vandalism or even damage.

[0023] The present invention aims to solve these drawbacks by providing a vehicle with at least 3 wheels comprising an external fairing, said external fairing comprising a rear part which comprises a chassis element on which at least 2 rear wheels are fixed, and a front part which defines an interior passenger compartment for the driver comprising two lateral parts, a lower seat and floor part on which at least one front wheel is fixed and an upper part provided with a roof and a windshield defining an interior volume, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a folding and / or deployment system provided with a first part fixed on the chassis element of the rear part of the external fairing and a second part fixed on the front part of the external fairing,and in that said vehicle has a first unfolded position for use and a second folded position for storage and protection in which the rear fairing part and the lower part of the front fairing part are housed in the interior volume of the upper part of the front fairing part.,

[0024] As can be seen and in a particularly advantageous manner, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises an external fairing which comprises a rear part, a front part with in particular a lower part of seat and floor for the user / driver, an upper part with a roof and a windshield which defines an interior volume as well as lateral parts or sides. This fairing allows the user, the driver, the delivery person, to have an internal space isolated from the external environment and more particularly from difficult climatic conditions (wind, rain, snow, storm) but also provides reinforcement and safety with respect to other vehicles, for example in the event of impact, collision or accident.

[0025] Furthermore, the exterior fairing of the vehicle according to the invention comprises a rear part which comprises a chassis element on which at least 2 rear wheels are fixed and a front part having a lower part on which at least one front wheel is fixed, it is obviously envisaged that the present invention can comprise at least one rear wheel and at least two front wheels. This for example and preferably in the case where a loading space would be located at the front of the vehicle according to the invention as for example in the case of cargo bikes.

[0026] In addition, the exterior fairing and more particularly the interior passenger compartment for the driver as well as the interior volume of the upper part also make it possible to isolate and protect from the external environment both the user as presented above but also any goods and / or any other passengers as well as the sensitive elements of the vehicle of the invention such as the steering wheel and / or the steering and movement controls and / or the pedals and / or the pedal assembly or pedal system and / or the seat or saddle and / or the battery and / or the electronics of the vehicle and / or the means for moving and controlling the vehicle and / or the speed controls and / or the brakes and / or the suspensions and / or the wheels and / or the motorized wheels, this advantageously making it possible to secure and limit access to the sensitive elements and allowing the proper functioning of the vehicle of the invention,difficult weather conditions or even possible theft or damage.

[0027] It is therefore easy to understand that the present invention makes it possible to provide users, consumers, delivery people and delivery companies with a vehicle which, in the first unfolded position of use, provides protection against difficult climatic and environmental conditions and which is easy and safe to use both on the road and on cycle paths.

[0028] Furthermore, in a particularly advantageous manner, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises a folding and / or unfolding system, which is provided with a first part which is fixed to the chassis element of the rear part of the outer fairing, and a second part which is fixed to the front part of the outer fairing. Furthermore, the folding and / or unfolding system of the vehicle according to the present invention also allows the upper part of the front part of the outer fairing to be tilted in a preferred manner so as to be able to include in the interior volume, at least a part of the rear part of the outer fairing of the vehicle when folding the vehicle of the invention.

[0029] This makes it possible, surprisingly and particularly advantageously, when the vehicle is in the first unfolded position of use, to accommodate the lower part of the front fairing part in the interior volume of the upper part of the front fairing part, preferably by a translational and / or sliding and / or rotational movement, and also to be able to fold, for example by rotation and / or sliding, the upper part of the front part onto the rear part of the outer fairing.

[0030] Thus, in the second storage and protection position, and in a particularly advantageous manner, both and at least partially, the rear part of the outer fairing and the lower part of the front part of the fairing are housed and included in the interior volume of the upper part of the fairing (side parts as well as the windshield and the roof).

[0031] This makes it possible, on the one hand, to have a vehicle according to the invention in a folded position of reduced format, easily moved by train, bus, tram in particular and able to be easily stored for example in a hall of a building or house, in a bicycle room or even in an office.

[0032] Advantageously, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises at least one interface arranged to create an association between said vehicle and a means of transport, for example a bicycle rack.

[0033] Furthermore, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises at least one front interface and / or at least one rear interface so as to be able to carry out an association between several vehicle units according to the present invention, for example to form a convoy of said vehicles, in particular during travel. In such a case, the rear interface of a first vehicle according to the invention (the lead vehicle) cooperates with the front interface of a second vehicle according to the invention in order to form said convoy.

[0034] Indeed, it is advantageous to be able to easily transport the vehicle according to the invention via a means of transport, such as a bicycle rack, thanks to the at least one interface, without occupying additional space in a car, while ensuring its safety and stability during travel. It is also envisaged to be able to use the at least one interface to store the vehicle by hanging it on a wall, possibly at a height, via a bicycle rack, without occupying floor space.

[0035] On the other hand, the folding of the vehicle according to the present invention makes it possible to isolate the sensitive elements from the outside in the folded position, that is to say that both the steering wheel and / or the steering and movement controls and / or the pedals and / or the pedal assembly or pedal system and / or the seat or saddle and / or the battery and / or the electronics of the vehicle and / or the means for moving and controlling the vehicle and / or the speed controls and / or the brakes and / or the suspensions and / or the wheels and / or the motorized wheels are located inside the interior volume and thus their access from the outside is very strongly limited / reduced or even avoided.

[0036] It is understood that in the folded position, the sensitive elements mentioned above are at least partially, preferably totally, covered by the upper part of the fairing (side parts as well as the windscreen and the roof), in order to make them less accessible and therefore better protected against theft, vandalism and damage.

[0037] Thus, the present invention makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner, and in an easy and facilitated manner, without having to carry out operations of removing parts, wheels, to be able to fold the vehicle and in the folded position to protect both the vehicle but also the sensitive elements inside, preferably partially and / or totally, in a manner isolated from the external environment providing protection both against bad weather and the external environment but also providing protection against acts of theft, vandalism as well as unwanted damage.

[0038] The present invention finally makes it possible to provide users, individuals, companies, delivery people, with a solution for transporting people and goods, which is secure and reliable with respect to the environment in order to give more motivation to use a greener means of transport both on the road or on cycle paths, but also which is easy to fold and store and which, in the folded position, provides security against theft and unwanted damage.

[0039] Advantageously, the vehicle according to the invention in the folded storage position has a height substantially equal to or less than that of the vehicle in the unfolded use position, making it possible to minimize the height requirement of the vehicle, even in the folded storage position, and this is contrary to the disclosures proposed by the state of the art.

[0040] Advantageously, the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle according to the invention comprises an ambient temperature control system, for example the ambient temperature control system being associated with a ventilation system and / or a heating system.

[0041] Also advantageously, the windshield of the vehicle according to the invention comprises a solar protection and / or anti-heat and / or anti-UV system, preferably the solar protection and / or anti-heat and / or anti-UV system being in the form of a film and / or coating.

[0042] Preferably, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises at least one anti-tilt and / or anti-tip means, making it possible to maintain the vehicle in its unfolded position of use or the vehicle in its folded position of storage and protection in a stable position, the at least one anti-tilt means being for example at least one mechanical means and / or electrical means and / or thermal anti-tilt means. Advantageously, the front part of the vehicle according to the invention comprises a pivot means of the front part, preferably a pivot means of the upper part of the front part, preferably a pivot means of the windshield of the upper part of the front part, the pivot means being arranged to facilitate access to the interior volume of the vehicle.

[0043] Furthermore, the vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one stand arranged to stabilize the vehicle, during its parking or to facilitate the installation of a user.

[0044] Advantageously, the roof and / or the windshield comprises at least one opening arranged to move from an open position to a closed position, making it possible to isolate or ventilate the interior volume of the vehicle.

[0045] In a particular embodiment, the vehicle according to the invention is a 3-wheel vehicle.

[0046] Preferably, the vehicle according to the present invention further comprises means for moving and controlling the vehicle, preferably mechanical means and / or electrical means and / or thermal means for moving and controlling the vehicle.

[0047] In fact, the means of moving and controlling the vehicle allow the vehicle to be moved in the unfolded position for use and in the folded position for storage, facilitating its movement and / or storage and / or the passage of obstacles.

[0048] Advantageously, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises a steering wheel and / or control commands, a pedal assembly and a mechanical energy transmission system for actuating at least one wheel, preferably for actuating at least said 2 rear wheels and / or said at least one front wheel.

[0049] Advantageously, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises a steering wheel and / or control commands, at least one battery and a pedal assembly arranged to convert the mechanical energy supplied by the user into electrical energy stored in said battery, a system for transmitting the electrical energy stored in said battery to actuate at least one wheel, preferably to actuate at least said 2 rear wheels and / or said at least one front wheel.

[0050] Preferably, the vehicle according to the present invention comprises a steering wheel and / or control commands, at least one battery, a system for transmitting the electrical energy stored in said battery to operate at least one wheel, preferably to operate at least said 2 rear wheels and / or said at least one front wheel.

[0051] Indeed, it is particularly advantageous that the vehicle according to the present invention can have electric assistance or even be electrically operated, allowing the user / driver / deliverer to be able to cover a greater travel distance and this in an easier manner even when transporting goods, parcels or even young children.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the chassis element of the rear part of the vehicle further comprises a loading space, preferably a loading space isolated from the external environment.

[0053] This has the advantage of being able to provide additional loading and storage space for the vehicle according to the invention, which, in a particularly advantageous manner, is ideally integrated into the rear fairing part and therefore does not hinder the folding of the vehicle, and which provides space for storing shopping bags, parcels or even goods for deliveries.

[0054] Preferably, the loading space of the vehicle according to the present invention comprises an additional folding and / or deployment system. This makes it possible, in a particularly advantageous manner, to increase or decrease the loading space and thus the transport volume according to the needs of the applications.

[0055] Additionally, it is envisaged that the cargo space will be removable, allowing the vehicle to be lightened when the cargo space is not required by the user or to provide additional storage space when the user needs it.

[0056] Advantageously, the loading space is provided with at least one standard-sized element, allowing the storage of commercially available standard-sized objects, such as a toolbox, a suitcase, a folding storage box, etc.

[0057] Furthermore, the installation of at least one child seat, or even at least two child seats or even at least three child seats, is also envisaged, to facilitate the movement of young children. For example, one child seat is envisaged in a space between the driver's legs, while the second and third child seats are envisaged in the loading space of the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0058] To facilitate the installation of at least one child seat, it is envisaged that the vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one means of fixing by Isofix system for child seat in a space between the driver's legs and / or in the loading space of the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0059] As presented above, it is also contemplated that the design of the vehicle according to the present invention is reversed, i.e. with at least 2 wheels at the front of the vehicle and at least 1 wheel at the rear of the vehicle.

[0060] It is also contemplated that the vehicle according to the present invention comprises 4 wheels, for example two front wheels and two rear wheels. In such embodiments, it is obviously contemplated that the cargo space, preferably isolated from the external environment, may be located at the front of the vehicle.

[0061] This is advantageous in the case where the user, the delivery person, would like to have a visual of his goods, and in the case where the transport of young children is envisaged, for the parent(s) to be able to have a visual of the children, ideally in the direction of travel.

[0062] Preferably, the vehicle according to the present invention further comprises at least one means for locking said vehicle in the first unfolded position of use and / or at least one means for locking said vehicle in the second folded position of storage and protection.

[0063] Indeed, it is advantageous to be able to lock / block the vehicle according to the invention, in the unfolded position for use and / or in the folded position for storage in order to further strengthen protection against the environment and in particular against unwanted theft, damage and vandalism.

[0064] Furthermore, it is all the more advantageous to also be able to block / lock the vehicle according to the invention in the unfolded position of use in order to reinforce protection against the environment and in particular against unwanted theft, damage and vandalism, even during use of said vehicle.

[0065] Preferably, the vehicle folding and / or deployment system according to the present invention comprises a series of elements chosen from the group comprising hinges, slides, pulleys, jacks, rails, racks, gears, pivots, springs, suspensions, helical or spherical links and combinations thereof.

[0066] Preferably, the vehicle according to the present invention further comprises at least one actuator of the folding system, preferably an actuator chosen from the group of manual, mechanical, electrical, electronic actuators and their combination. Indeed, it is also advantageous to be able to have a mechanical and / or electronic actuator allowing the activation of the folding / deployment system in a manner that is easy and convenient for the user.

[0067] Other embodiments of the vehicle with at least 3 wheels comprising an external fairing according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

[0068] The invention also relates to a method for folding, protecting and storing a vehicle according to the invention, which is in the unfolded position of use, comprising:

[0069] - a step of activating the folding system, preferably by slides and / or pivots, provided with a first part fixed to the chassis element of the rear part of said fairing and a second part fixed to the front part of said fairing,

[0070] - a step of setting in motion, preferably translation and / or rotation, of the lower part of the seat and floor of the front part of said external fairing, in the interior volume of said upper part of the front part of the external fairing,

[0071] - a step of setting in motion, preferably rotation and / or translation, of the upper part of the front part of the external fairing in order to include, in said interior volume, at least part of the rear part of the external fairing of the vehicle.

[0072] Preferably, the method for folding, protecting and storing according to the present invention further comprises a step of locking said vehicle in the second folded, storing and protecting position.

[0073] Other embodiments of the method for folding, protecting and storing the vehicle according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims. The present invention also relates to an unfolding method for use of a vehicle according to the invention which is in the folded protective and storing position, comprising:

[0074] - a step of activating the deployment system, preferably by slides and / or pivots, provided with a first part fixed to the chassis element of the rear part of said fairing and a second part fixed to the front part of said fairing,

[0075] - a step of setting into motion, preferably rotation and / or translation, in order to dissociate said upper part of the front part of the external fairing from said at least one part of the rear part of the external fairing of the vehicle and to release said interior volume,

[0076] - a step of moving, preferably in translation and / or rotation, the lower part of the seat and floor of the front part of said external fairing, outside said interior volume of said upper part of the front part of the external fairing.

[0077] Preferably, the unfolding method for use according to the present invention further comprises at least one step of locking said vehicle in the first unfolded position of use.

[0078] Other embodiments of the unfolding method for use of the vehicle according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

[0079] The present invention finally relates to the use of a vehicle of the invention for travel, urban travel, road travel, travel on cycle paths, transport, transport of goods, transport of objects, transport of people, transport of children, delivery and combinations thereof. Other embodiments of the use of the vehicle according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

[0080] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description given below, without limitation and with reference to the drawings.

[0081] In the drawings, Figure 1 shows the vehicle according to the present invention, schematically, seen from the side, in the first unfolded position of use.

[0082] Figure 2 shows the vehicle according to the present invention, schematically, seen from the side, in the second folded position for storage and protection.

[0083] In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references.

[0084] The vehicle 1 according to the present invention is shown in the unfolded use position 18 (Fig. 1) and in the folded protection and storage position 19 (Fig. 2).

[0085] The vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 according to the present invention comprises 3 wheels, namely two rear wheels 5, 6 and a front wheel 11 and an outer fairing 2.

[0086] The outer fairing 2 comprises a rear part 3 with a chassis element 4 on which the two rear wheels 5, 6 on both sides of the vehicle 1 are fixed.

[0087] The outer fairing 2 also comprises a front part 7 which defines an interior passenger compartment 8 for the driver. The front part 7 comprises two side parts 9 respectively on both sides of the vehicle 1, a lower part 10 for the seat and floor on which the front wheel 11 is fixed, and an upper part 12 with a roof 13 and a windshield 14 and / or a canopy which defines an interior volume 15. In addition, although this is not visible in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 according to the invention according to the embodiments comprises means for moving and controlling the vehicle, for example mechanical, electrical or thermal.

[0088] The vehicle 1 according to the invention also comprises a steering wheel and / or controls for controlling the direction of forward or reverse movement of the vehicle.

[0089] Thus, according to the embodiments, the vehicle 1 of the invention may comprise a pedal assembly and a system for transmitting mechanical energy to actuate at least one wheel, for example the two rear wheels 5, 6 and / or the front wheel 11. The vehicle 1 may comprise at least one battery and a pedal assembly which, in operation, convert the mechanical energy supplied by the user into electrical energy stored in the battery to actuate at least one wheel, for example the two rear wheels 5, 6 and / or the front wheel 11, so as to have an electrically assisted vehicle 1. Finally, a vehicle 1 according to the invention is also envisaged comprising at least one battery and a system for transmitting the electrical energy stored in the battery to actuate at least one wheel, for example the two rear wheels 5, 6 and / or the front wheel 11, so as to have an electrically powered vehicle 1.

[0090] Thus, the vehicle 1 according to the invention makes it possible to provide users with a vehicle 1 which offers protection against difficult climatic and environmental conditions and which offers ease and safety of use both on the road and on cycle paths.

[0091] Furthermore, the chassis element 4 of the rear part 3 of the vehicle 1 of the invention comprises a loading space 20 which is preferably isolated from the external environment. For example, the loading space 20 may also comprise an additional folding and / or deployment system (not shown) making it possible to increase or decrease the loading space 20 as well as the available transport volume depending on the uses (parcels, people, etc.). Advantageously, the vehicle 1 comprises a folding and / or deployment system 16 in order to be able to move the vehicle 1 from an unfolded use position 18 (Fig. 1) to a folded protection and storage position 19 (Fig. 2). This system 16 is provided with a first part fixed to the chassis element 4 and a second part fixed to the front part 7, preferably on either side of the vehicle 1.

[0092] The system 16 for folding and / or deploying the vehicle 1 of the invention comprises a series of elements such as hinges 17, slides, pulleys, jacks, rails, racks, gears, pivots, springs, suspensions or even helical or spherical connections as well as their combinations.

[0093] Furthermore and advantageously, the vehicle 1 comprises at least one actuator of the system 16 for folding and / or deploying the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 may also comprise at least one actuator of the additional folding and / or deploying system of the loading space 20 of the vehicle 1. This / these actuator(s) may be manual, mechanical, electrical, electronic and combinations thereof, in fact making it possible to automate and facilitate deployment and / or folding.

[0094] Thus, in operation, to move from the unfolded use position 18 illustrated in Figure 1 to the folded protection and storage position 19 illustrated in Figure 2, the user can activate, preferably via the actuator, the folding system 16 in order to effect a movement, for example via a translation and / or rotation, of the lower part 10 of the front part 7 in the interior volume 15 of the upper part 12 of the front part 7, then effect a movement, preferably rotation and / or translation, of the upper part 12 of the front part 7 in order to include, in the interior volume 15, at least a part of the rear part 3 of the external fairing 2.

[0095] This makes it possible to isolate the sensitive elements from the outside in the folded position 19, that is to say that both the steering wheel and / or the steering and movement controls and / or the pedals and / or the pedal assembly or pedal system and / or the seat or saddle and / or the battery and / or the electronics of the vehicle and / or the means for moving and controlling the vehicle and / or the speed controls and / or the brakes and / or the suspensions and / or the wheels and / or the motorized wheels are located inside the interior volume and thus their access from the outside is very strongly limited / reduced or even avoided.

[0096] Also provided for the vehicle 1 according to the invention is a step of locking the vehicle 1 in the folded position 19 via a locking means (not shown), for example a lock.

[0097] In operation, to move from the folded protection and storage position 19 illustrated in Figure 2 to the unfolded use position 18 illustrated in Figure 1, the user can, in reverse to folding, activate, preferably via the actuator, the deployment system 16 in order to effect a movement, for example via a rotation and / or a translation, in order to dissociate the upper part 12 of the front part 7, from at least part of the rear part 3 of the outer fairing 2 in order to release the interior volume 15, then effect a movement, preferably a translation and / or rotation of the lower part 10 of the front part 7, outside the interior volume 15 of the upper part 12 of the front part 7.

[0098] The vehicle 1 according to the invention also includes a step of locking the vehicle in the unfolded position of use 18 via a locking means (not shown), for example a lock.

[0099] Thus, the vehicle 1 according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use for travel and more particularly urban travel, road travel, travel on cycle paths, transport, transport of goods, transport of objects, transport of people, transport of children, delivery and combinations thereof.

[0100] This is made possible because the vehicle 1 according to the present invention allows, on the one hand thanks to the fairing 2, the user, the driver, the delivery person, to have an internal space isolated (interior passenger compartment 8 and interior volume 15) from the external environment and more particularly from difficult climatic conditions (wind, rain, snow, storm) but also to provide reinforcement and security with respect to other vehicles, for example in the event of impact, collision or accident, and on the other hand thanks to the system 16 for deploying and folding the vehicle 1, to be able to move from an unfolded position of use 18, to a folded position of protection and storage 19 and vice versa, in an easy and facilitated, even automated manner, without having to carry out operations of removing parts, wheels, sensitive elements, and in which folded position 19,the vehicle 1 can still be easily moved via the means of movement (motorization and / or electric) while having the sensitive elements inside, partially and / or totally, the interior volume 15 and isolated from the external environment providing protection both against bad weather and the external environment but also providing protection against acts of theft, vandalism as well as unwanted damage.,

[0101] It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Vehicle (1) with at least 3 wheels comprising an outer fairing (2), said outer fairing comprising a rear part (3) which comprises a chassis element (4) on which at least 2 rear wheels (5, 6) are fixed, and a front part (7) which defines an interior passenger compartment (8) for the driver comprising two side parts (9), a lower part (10) for the seat and floor on which at least one front wheel (11) is fixed and an upper part (12) provided with a roof (13) and a windshield (14) defining an interior volume (15), characterized in that said vehicle (1) comprises a folding and / or deployment system (16) provided with a first part fixed on the chassis element (4) of the rear part (3) of the outer fairing (2) and a second part fixed on the front part (7) of the outer fairing (2),and in that said vehicle (1) has a first unfolded position for use (18) and a second folded position for storage and protection (19) in which the rear part (3) of the fairing (2) and the lower part (10) of the front part (7) of the fairing (2) are housed in the interior volume (15) of the upper part (12) of the front part (7) of the fairing (2)., 2. Vehicle (1) with at least 3 wheels according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving and controlling the vehicle, preferably mechanical means and / or electrical means and / or thermal means for moving and controlling the vehicle.

3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, comprising a steering wheel and / or control commands, a pedal assembly and a mechanical energy transmission system for actuating at least one wheel, preferably for actuating at least said 2 rear wheels and / or said at least one front wheel.

4. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, comprising a steering wheel and / or control commands, at least one battery and a pedal assembly arranged to convert the mechanical energy supplied by the user into electrical energy stored in said battery, a system for transmitting the electrical energy stored in said battery to operate at least one wheel, preferably for driving at least said 2 rear wheels and / or said at least one front wheel.

5. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, comprising a steering wheel and / or control commands, at least one battery, a system for transmitting the electrical energy stored in said battery to operate at least one wheel, preferably to operate at least said 2 rear wheels and / or said at least one front wheel.

6. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis element (4) of the rear part (3) further comprises a loading space (20), preferably a loading space isolated from the external environment.

7. Vehicle (1) according to claim 6, wherein said loading space (20) comprises an additional folding and / or deployment system.

8. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one means for locking said vehicle in the first unfolded position of use and / or at least one means for locking said vehicle in the second folded position for storage and protection.

9. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said folding and / or deployment system comprises a series of elements (17) chosen from the group comprising hinges, slides, pulleys, jacks, rails, racks, gears, pivots, springs, suspensions, helical or spherical links and combinations thereof.

10. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises at least one actuator of the folding and / or deployment system, preferably an actuator chosen from the group of manual, mechanical, electrical, electronic actuators and their combination. 1 1. Method for folding, protecting and storing a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which is in the unfolded position of use (18), comprising: - a step of activating the folding system (16), preferably by slides and / or pivots, provided with a first part fixed on the chassis element (4) of the rear part (3) of said fairing (2) and a second part fixed on the front part (7) of said fairing (2), - a step of setting in motion, preferably translation and / or rotation, of the lower part (10) of the seat and floor of the front part (7) of said external fairing (2), in the interior volume (15) of said upper part (12) of the front part (7) of the external fairing (2), - a step of setting in motion, preferably rotation and / or translation, of the upper part (12) of the front part (7) of the external fairing (2) in order to include, in said interior volume (15), at least a part of the rear part (3) of the external fairing (2) of the vehicle (1).

12. Method for folding, protecting and storing according to claim 11, further comprising a step of locking said vehicle in the second folded position (19) for storage and protection.

13. Method of unfolding for use a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 which is in the folded protection and storage position (19), comprising: - a step of activating the deployment system (16), preferably by slides and / or pivots, provided with a first part fixed on the chassis element (4) of the rear part (3) of said fairing (2) and a second part fixed on the front part (7) of said fairing (2), - a step of setting in motion, preferably rotation and / or translation, in order to dissociate said upper part (12) from the front part (7) of the external fairing (2) of said at least a part of the rear part (3) of the external fairing (2) of the vehicle (1) and to release said interior volume (15), - a step of setting in motion, preferably translation and / or rotation, of the lower part (10) of the seat and floor of the front part (7) of said external fairing (2), outside said interior volume (15) of said upper part (12) of the front part (7) of the external fairing (2).

14. Unfolding method for use according to claim 13, further comprising at least one step of locking said vehicle in the first unfolded position (18) for use.

15. Use of a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for travel, urban travel, road travel, travel on cycle paths, transport, transport of goods, transport of objects, transport of people, transport of children, delivery and combinations thereof.

Images