Hand-held propulsion tool, and motorised watercraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-held propulsion tool, in particular a paddle, and to a watercraft designed with such a propulsion tool, wherein a sensor system is arranged in a blade or shaft of the propulsion tool and comprises a motion sensor and a sensor arrangement that detects immersion of the blade in the water. An adjusting device for setting the thrust assistance is provided in the region of a handle knob of the propulsion tool.

Description

[0001] Hand-held propulsion tool and motorized watercraft

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a hand-held propulsion tool, in particular a paddle, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a motorized watercraft, in particular a board, designed with such a propulsion tool.

[0004] Generic boards, also called jetboards or powerboards, can be used like a surfboard, allowing the user to achieve planing with minimal effort. Alternatively, the boards can also be designed so that the user controls propulsion via a propulsion tool, particularly a paddle, a tether, or a scull. This muscle-powered propulsion is supported by the drive of the board / watercraft, similar to a pedelec, also called a padelec.

[0005] Such a concept is described, for example, in US 2011 / 212 691 A1. A remote control is attached to the paddle of an eSUP, which can be used to control the board's propulsion. The remote control can be designed to provide thrust assistance, so that the board is moved once by the paddle and additionally by the thrust assistance of the board's integrated propulsion system. Alternatively or additionally, a change in direction or stabilization of the propulsion system can also be achieved by operating the remote control via the board's propulsion system. Accordingly, the remote control is in data communication with the control unit of the board's propulsion system.

[0006] US 2012 / 0126972 A1 discloses a solution in which the remote control is integrated into a glove. In an eSUP described in US 2018 0170502A1, the on-board drive is controlled via a type of smartwatch attached to the user's wrist.

[0007] The publication DE 10 2021 131 067 A1 relates to an eSUP designed with an adjustable rudder blade (fin) that can be adjusted depending on the signal from a sensor unit. According to the technical teaching of DE 10 2021 131 067 A1, this sensor unit can be designed such that a rotation, in particular a tilting and / or rolling movement of the board about an axis, is detected and then, depending on this movement, the rudder blade is adjusted in such a way that the driving stability of the board is improved. In one embodiment, the sensor system is designed with an acceleration sensor integrated into a blade of a paddle of the eSUP, via which the force exerted during paddling can be detected.

[0008] A similar solution is described in WO 2020 / 048 566 A1, in which an acceleration sensor or a pressure force sensor is installed in a blade of a paddle or oar, which indirectly detects the muscle force exerted on the paddle. Depending on the signal from this sensor, a drive unit integrated into the board is then controlled, so that the drive power depends on the acceleration of the paddle and / or the detected pressure force on the paddle.

[0009] The disadvantage of all these eSUPs is that the parameters recorded by the sensors do not necessarily represent the movement of the blade in the water, but also reflect other forces, for example when submerged or when subjected to mechanical stress outside the water, and that controlling the drive via the propulsion tool is cumbersome.

[0010] Accordingly, the invention is based on the object of creating a hand-held propulsion tool, in particular a paddle, with which the detection of force parameters resulting from the movement of the propulsion tool in the water is improved. The invention is further based on the object of creating a motorized watercraft, in particular a board, that can be propelled by muscle power using a propulsion tool, ensuring improved thrust support through the propulsion of the watercraft. A further object is to simplify the control of the drive via the propulsion tool.

[0011] These objects are achieved with regard to the hand-held propulsion tool by the features of claim 1 and with regard to the motorized watercraft by the features of the independent claim 16.

[0012] Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] The hand-held propulsion tool according to the invention can be designed as a paddle, oar, scull, or the like and serves to propel a watercraft, in particular a board, using muscle power. Such a board can be, for example, a jetboard, an eSUP, an underwater scooter, an eFoil, or the like. The watercraft is preferably designed with an electric drive.

[0014] The propulsion tool has a shaft, with a blade formed at least at one end section, which is guided by the user in the water to move or steer the watercraft. The propulsion tool according to the invention incorporates a sensor system with a motion sensor for detecting a parameter / force parameter representing the movement of the blade in the water. This sensor system is connected to a central unit, e.g., an on-board computer of the watercraft's propulsion system, via a communication module of the propulsion tool. According to the invention, a sensor arrangement is preferably provided in the blade, via which the immersion of the blade in the water is detected. The sensor system can then be designed such that the detection of the parameter representing the movement of the blade in the water only occurs when the immersion of the blade in the water is detected by the sensor arrangement.This ensures that only parameters resulting from the movement of the blade in the water are recorded, thus preventing faulty control of the drive due to other loads on the blade or shaft.

[0015] This concept significantly improves the stability of the board compared to the conventional solutions described above and also optimizes the precision of the thrust support and steering.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor arrangement is designed with a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor, via which the immersion in water can be reliably detected.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sensor that detects the movement-Z force characteristic is designed as a bending sensor, which can detect the blade or shaft bending. This bending sensor is preferably designed in such a way that the smallest deformations caused by propulsion are registered on a push-off surface of the blade and inside the blade or shaft and transmitted to the central unit of the drive.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, the motion sensor is designed as an acceleration sensor or pressure sensor.

[0019] In one variant of the invention, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor are integrated into the blade, positioned approximately in a V-shape relative to each other. The motion sensor can be positioned approximately centrally relative to the V-structure. This means that the motion sensor is then positioned along the central axis of the V-structure, and can be offset upwards or downwards (in the direction of gravity) relative to this axis.

[0020] The measurement accuracy of the sensors is further improved if at least the sensor array is located in the transition area between the blade and the shaft, ensuring that these sensors (temperature sensor and humidity sensor) are only activated when the blade is fully immersed in water. The acceleration sensor is preferably mounted in an area of ​​the blade or shaft where the deformation of the blade resulting from the applied force is maximum.

[0021] According to the invention, the control of the watercraft is optimized if the propulsion tool—independent of the sensor technology—is equipped with an actuator for selecting / adjusting a direction of travel and thrust support from the drive. By adjusting this actuator accordingly, the user can then additionally select a direction of travel (straight ahead, portside, starboard) and also specify the thrust support accordingly (for example, depending on the wind direction), thus ensuring controlled use of the watercraft.

[0022] The communication between the actuator and the sensors or the drive unit can be wireless, e.g. via radio or NFC, whereby in the latter case the communicating components are designed with NFC chips.

[0023] The adjusting device is preferably formed on the shaft or in the area of ​​a handle attached to the shaft, preferably a grip knob that can be gripped by the user's hand. This allows the user to adjust the adjusting device while using the propulsion tool, for example, with their thumb or a finger.

[0024] It is preferred if the control device is equipped with a display, preferably an LED display, to visualize the setting, so that the user is always informed of the current presetting or the charge level of a power source. The power supply for the electrical / electronic components of the propulsion tool can, for example, be integrated into the shaft.

[0025] The adjusting device can be implemented by rotary / sliding controls or buttons mounted on the shaft, one of which is intended for adjusting the direction of travel and the other for adjusting the thrust support.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the adjusting device is essentially formed in the area of ​​the handle knob, which is gripped or gripped over by the user's hand when paddling. Control buttons are preferably formed on the left and right (seen in the direction of travel) side surfaces of the handle knob, each of which is positioned so that it can be actuated with a user's thumb, regardless of whether the propulsion tool is guided to the left or right of the board in the direction of travel or whether the user holds the propulsion tool on the handle knob with the left or right hand. In addition, a central finger button or other actuator can be provided on the handle knob or in the adjacent area of ​​the shaft, via which the motor assistance is activated and, if necessary, different assistance levels can also be set.

[0027] The term “button” encompasses practically any actuator that can be adjusted by the user, e.g. a push button, a toggle switch (rocker), a rotary valve, or a slider.

[0028] With such a concept, the drive can be controlled with one hand, whereby this control can be carried out during normal guidance of the propulsion tool without the position of the hand on the handle knob having to be changed significantly.

[0029] In a variant of the invention, the two control buttons are each formed on a guide horn of the handle knob, which protrude on both sides of a handle part of the handle knob, so that the fingers are positioned between the two guide horns when guiding the propulsion tool and are thus guided laterally.

[0030] It is particularly preferred if the central finger button is formed on a region of the handle part which, so to speak, points "downwards" towards the shaft and is thus within reach of the fingertips, so that operation with one finger is simplified.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the paddle shaft is designed to be divisible in a manner known per se, wherein the electrical contacting of the actuating device and the previously described sensor system is designed to be divisible accordingly, so that the contacting is activated when the paddle shaft is assembled.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the handle knob is frame-shaped, with an approximately triangular or trapezoidal frame structure being preferred, in which a base remote from the shaft forms the handle part, with the control buttons then preferably being positioned laterally adjacent to the base.

[0033] Checking the settings is particularly easy if a display is provided in the transition area to the shaft. In such a variant, it is preferable to provide the adjusting elements for adjusting the thrust support in the shaft area.

[0034] The applicant reserves the right to file its own independent patent claims for the design of the actuating device with the control buttons and / or the central finger button or the central actuating device for adjusting the thrust support, which are independent of the structure of the sensor system.

[0035] In the event that the propulsion tool is lost, for example due to a storm or the like, it is easier to find if it is equipped with a device for detecting the position, for example a GPS tracker or the like.

[0036] The motorized watercraft, in particular a board, is - as explained above - designed with a propulsion tool, in particular a paddle, wherein a central unit of the drive of the watercraft is in data communication with the propulsion tool, so that the drive can be controlled depending on the signals from the sensor system of the propulsion tool.

[0037] According to the invention, it is preferred that the drive be an electric waterjet drive. However, in principle, another drive concept could also be implemented.

[0038] As explained above, the inventive concept is not limited to the application with boards, especially eSUP, but can in principle be used with all muscle-powered watercraft (paddle boat, kayak, canoe, rowing boat, pedal boat, etc.).

[0039] The inventive concept specifically develops an electrically powered paddleboard (padelec) that can be controlled by the movement of a paddle designed according to the invention, allowing different thrust impulses to be triggered in all directions. Accessing and using this system feels intuitive and can be learned within a few moments, even by inexperienced users. The board's behavior feels natural, similar to a SUP, and the paddle's movement can be supported with gentle power amplification.

[0040] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a watercraft according to the invention, which is propelled by a user using a propulsion tool designed as a paddle; Figure 2 shows a blade of the paddle from Figure 1;

[0042] Figure 3 is a view of an end portion of the paddle according to Figure 1 remote from the blade;

[0043] Figure 4 is a detailed view of another embodiment of a propulsion tool designed as a divisible paddle;

[0044] Figure 5 is a view of the paddle according to Figure 4 in the split state;

[0045] Figures 6, 7 and 8 show detailed views of a handle knob of the paddle according to Figures 4 and 5;

[0046] Figure 9 shows a representation of another embodiment of a paddle in the split state;

[0047] Figures 10, 11, 12 show detailed views of a handle knob of the paddle according to Figure 9;

[0048] Figures 13, 14, 15, 16 show an embodiment of a paddle with a frame-shaped handle knob;

[0049] Figures 17, 18 different setting positions of a rotary slider of the embodiment according to Figures 13 to 16 and

[0050] Figures 19 and 20 show detailed views of a variant of the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 13 to 18. Figure 1 shows a simplified representation of a watercraft according to the invention, which in this exemplary embodiment is designed as an eSUP board 1. This has a deck 2 on which a user 4 stands, who uses a propulsion tool designed as a paddle 6 to move forward in the water 8.

[0051] The basic structure of board 1 is described in a subsequently published PCT application of the applicant, so that only the board elements essential for understanding the invention are explained here and for the rest reference is made to the description in the subsequently published PCT application.

[0052] Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment of a board 1 shown in Figure 1 is designed with a board body 10 constructed in the manner of a hardboard, which is at least partially surrounded by a shock absorber 12 made of an inflatable drop-stitch material. The shock absorber 12 is connected to the board body 10 made of sandwich material in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner and, to improve operational reliability, can be designed with two air chambers 14, 16 (indicated by dashed lines) that can be inflated independently of one another, thus ensuring buoyancy even if one air chamber 14 or 16 leaks.

[0053] An electric drive unit 18 is arranged in the board body 10. This drive unit can be designed as a water jet drive with a radial pump and an outlet-side compressor screw, via which a water jet 20 is expelled through an outlet channel 22, so that the board 1 is moved in the direction of its longitudinal axis (direction of travel) with the aid of this water jet drive 18. In order to make the watercraft corner using only the electric drive unit 18, particularly during slow travel of, for example, 2 km / h, two transverse thrusters 24, 26 are provided, indicated by dashed lines, which - as described in detail in the above-mentioned utility model - are formed in an X-shape on the underside (underwater hull) of the board 1 on a transverse thruster console. These two transverse thrusters 24, 26 are arranged, for example, so that they can push forward and backward in 45°, 225° and 315°, 135° directions.Both transverse thrusters 24, 26 are designed, for example, with an impeller. Such a system is capable of rotating the board 1 "on point" in the longitudinal direction, moving it forward and backward, or even pushing it sideways parallel to the direction of travel, essentially without propulsion. The thrust required by the drive unit 18 for this purpose is low at slow speeds, so the maneuvers can be performed with little energy expenditure and without requiring assistance from the user 4.

[0054] The power supply to the electric drive unit 18 is provided by a battery / accumulator unit 28, also integrated into the board body 10 and indicated by dashed lines, which is positioned beneath a cover so that it can be replaced with little effort. In the illustrated embodiment, this battery unit 28 is positioned approximately in the area in which the user 4 is standing, so that the weight distribution is balanced. In the field of vision of the user 4, a display 30 is formed in the board body 10, on which key data, such as the local position, the travel speed, the remaining battery capacity, etc., can be read. In principle, communication with a central station or with other users 4 on other boards 1 can also take place via this display 30 or via an IoT box assigned to it.

[0055] The paddle 6 is constructed in a conventional manner with a shaft 32, to the board-side end section of which a blade 34 is attached, which—as is usual with SUP paddles—is angled relative to the shaft 32 toward the bow 36 of the board 1. The shaft 32 can be designed to be length-adjustable to adapt to the body size of the user 4. At the end section of the shaft 32 remote from the blade 34, a handle knob 38 is provided, explained in more detail below, which is partially grasped by a hand 40 of the user 4. In the area of ​​this handle knob 38, an adjusting device 42 is arranged on the shaft 32, via which a direction of travel and thrust assistance can be adjusted by means of the electric drive unit 18. This adjusting device 42 is positioned such that it can be operated by the hand 40, in particular by the thumb 44 of the user 4, without releasing the handle knob 38.As explained in more detail below, a sensor system 46, not shown in Figure 1, is incorporated in the blade 34, which is explained below with reference to Figure 2. The paddle 6 according to the invention is furthermore designed with a communication module 48, which is in data connection, for example via an NFC or a radio connection 50, with a control unit / central unit 52 - also called an on-board computer - of the electric drive unit 18, indicated by dashed lines, so that the control signals generated by the actuating device 42 and the sensor system 46 are detected via the central unit 52 and the electric drive unit 18 is controlled depending on these control signals.

[0056] This concept enables the simple implementation of a safety feature in that, when paddle 6 is activated and control signals are absent via the central unit 52, the system switches to a "hold-on-position" mode. In this mode, the electric drive unit 18 with the water jet drive and the two transverse thrusters 24, 26 is controlled so that the board 1 maintains a preset position or the position currently occupied and can thus be easily located or retrieved by a central station or the like. In this case, it is also helpful if the paddle 6 is also equipped with a GPS tracker that can be detected by the central station, so that the position of the paddle 6 can be detected.

[0057] Figure 2 shows the blade-side end section of the paddle 6. As explained, this has a shaft 32, which is preferably made of carbon fiber or another lightweight, dimensionally stable material. The blade 34 is formed on the board-side end section of the shaft 32; its geometry corresponds to that of conventional blades, which can be designed depending on the application (slow movement or movement in power mode). Such a blade 34 typically widens away from the shaft 32 in an approximately teardrop shape, with a vertex region 54 that can be rounded or slightly flattened. In the transition area to the shaft 32, the aforementioned sensor system 46 is incorporated into the blade 34; in the illustrated embodiment, this sensor system is formed by a bending sensor 56, a humidity sensor 58, and a temperature sensor 60.These sensors are connected to the communication module 48, which is established, for example, via cabling (not shown in Figure 2). The sensor system 46 can, for example, be positioned on a sensor board that is integrated during the lamination of the sheet 34. Of course, the sensors can also be inserted as individual components during lamination. In particular, the bending sensor can also be integrated into the shaft 32.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the bending sensor 56 is positioned along a longitudinal axis 62 of the paddle 6, in particular of the blade 34, such that after the blade 34 is submerged in the water, the shape changes caused by paddling on the push-off surface and inside the blade 34 are registered and reported to the central unit 52 (main board). The on-board computer of the central unit 52 then converts the degree of deformation into a forward or reverse thrust of the drive unit 18, depending on the intensity and direction of the paddling movement. In this way, it is possible to receive only slight thrust assistance during light paddling, while during more intensive paddling, a stronger thrust assistance from the drive unit 18 is specified via the central unit 52.

[0059] In principle, the bending sensor 56 is positioned in such a way that, depending on the geometry of the blade 34 or the shaft 32, a change in shape resulting from the paddling process can be detected.

[0060] The humidity sensor 58 and the temperature sensor 60 reliably detect the immersion of the blade 34 in the water, with both sensors operating redundantly. Only when both sensors 58, 60 reach a certain signal value simultaneously is this considered confirmation that the paddle 6 is in the water – only in this case is the evaluation of the signals from the bending sensor 56 and thus the thrust assistance activated. In the event that none of the sensors 58, 60 or only one of these sensors 58, 60 reaches the predetermined signal value, the signal evaluation is deactivated and, if necessary, an error message or warning is output to the user 4 via the display 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the humidity sensor 58 and the temperature sensor 60 are approximately V-shaped relative to the longitudinal axis 62, with the bending sensor 56, for example, located on the axis of symmetry of this "V".However, this arrangement is merely exemplary. In principle, the positioning is such that the signal evaluation is activated only when a predetermined immersion depth of the blade 34 in the water is reached. Similarly, this signal evaluation is deactivated if this immersion depth is not reached.

[0061] Figure 3 shows the end section of the shaft 32 remote from the blade 34, on which the previously described handle knob 38 is formed. Adjacent to this end section, the aforementioned adjusting device 42 is formed on the shaft 32. In the specific exemplary embodiment, this adjusting device 42 is formed by two rotary controls 66, 68, which are rotatably mounted on the shaft 32 and sealed against sand and salt water. The rotary controls are positioned such that they can be operated, for example, with the thumb of the hand enclosing the handle knob 38. The rotary control 68, formed adjacent to the handle knob 38 in Figure 3, serves, for example, to adjust the direction of travel. It can be designed, for example, so that three directions of travel—straight ahead, left, and right—can be selected, with the straight-ahead position being indicated by a catch and / or a visual marking 70.

[0062] If, for example, a right-hand bend is to be negotiated with thrust assistance, the rotary control 68 which specifies the direction of travel is turned upwards in the illustration according to Figure 3 from the zero position (straight ahead) (to the left in the illustration according to Figure 1 (as seen from user 4)) to initiate cornering. The curve intensity and the thrust assistance are then not dependent on the rotary position, but solely or essentially on the paddle stroke intensity applied by user 4. If a left-hand bend is to be negotiated with thrust assistance, the rotary control 68 is turned downwards in the illustration according to Figure 3 (to the right as seen from user 4 in the illustration according to Figure 1), so that thrust assistance is provided during cornering depending on the paddle stroke intensity.In the event that the desired change of direction is achieved, the direction control knob 68 is returned to its middle position specified by the marking 70, so that a stable straight-ahead running is maintained regardless of which side of the board 1 the user 4 guides the paddle 6, for example via GPS waypoint queries.

[0063] A corresponding thrust support also takes place in reverse, since when the paddle 6 is actuated accordingly, the then "negative bending" of the blade 34 is detected via the bending sensor 56 and a reverse thrust support is set accordingly via the electric drive unit 18.

[0064] Using the additional rotary control 66 located below the direction control 68, the basic intensity of the thrust assistance can be adjusted in, for example, three increments, with an average value being specified by a marking 72. The markings 70, 72 can, for example, be designed with "front and rear sights," so that even inexperienced users 4 can make intuitive adjustments "blindly," so to speak.

[0065] The power supply for the sensors 46, the communication module 48, and the rotary controls 66, 68 (also called dials) is provided by a power supply 74 integrated into the shaft 32, which is indicated by dashed lines in Figure 3. This power supply 74, which is implemented, for example, by a battery or the like, is positioned such that the weight distribution is optimal for use of the paddle 6. The position is therefore indicated only as an example in Figure 3.

[0066] In the embodiment according to Figure 3, an LED display 76 is also provided adjacent to the rotary controls 66, 68, via which, for example, the charge level of the power supply 74 and / or the setting of the rotary controls 66, 68 or the thrust assistance can be read. Corresponding information can of course also be read out via the display 30. The power supply 74 is charged either via a charging port (not shown) or by replacing the battery or the like.

[0067] The paddle 6 according to the invention is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed users.

[0068] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a paddle 6 in which the handle knob 38 is designed with functional elements of the adjusting device 42, which are explained in more detail below. Similar to the previously described embodiment, the shaft 32 is designed to be divisible and adjustable in length, with an upper shaft section 78 being inserted telescopically into a lower shaft section 80 on the blade side and being fixed in position by means of a telescopic clamp 82.

[0069] Figure 5 shows the paddle 6 from Figure 4 after releasing the telescopic clamp 82 in the split state, wherein the adjusting device 42 positioned in the area of ​​the handle knob 38 according to Figure 5 is positioned on the upper shaft part 78, while the blade 34 with the water contact sensor 58 designed as a moisture sensor and the bending / pressure sensor 56 are formed on the lower shaft part 80. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor system 46 with the two sensors 56, 58 is connected via data / signal lines 84, 86 to the adjusting device 42 in the area of ​​the handle knob 38, wherein the electrical contact is made automatically when the upper shaft part 78 is clamped to the lower shaft part 80. In principle, of course, wireless data / signal transmission via radio, NFC or the like is also possible, as explained above. In the illustrated embodiment, these data / signal lines 84, 86 are also designed to supply the sensors 46 with the appropriate energy.

[0070] Figures 6, 7 and 8 show detailed representations of the upper shaft section 78 in the area of ​​the handle knob 38. This is ergonomically designed in a manner known per se so that it can be gripped over or around by the user's hand to guide the paddle 6, wherein the hand is supported on a palm rest 88 and the fingers grip a rounded knob face 90 (facing away from the viewer in the illustration according to Figure 6). A control button 96, 98 (see Figures 6, 7) is provided on each of the side panels 92, 94 of the handle knob 38, which are positioned such that they can be actuated by the user's thumb, depending on which hand is used to hold the handle knob 38, in order to then control a turn to the left or right with motor assistance.The control button 98 on the left side activates the steering in the sense of cornering to the left, while pressing the right control button 96 supports cornering to the right.

[0071] However, in order to activate this thrust support, in the embodiment according to Figures 6 to 8, a slider 100 must first be actuated, which is arranged in the transition area from the handle knob 38 to the upper shaft part 78.

[0072] Similar to the previously described embodiment, in the illustration according to Figures 6 to 8, a rotary control 66 is provided below the slider 100, via which three thrust support levels can be set, with the currently set level being indicated by an LED display 76. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rotary control 66 is set to a medium level.

[0073] In the view shown in Figure 8, the rotary control 66 is adjusted to the right, so that, for example, the maximum thrust assistance is set. As explained above, however, this thrust assistance is only effective when the slider 100 is adjusted to the illustrated activation position and one of the control buttons 96, 98 is pressed with the thumb.

[0074] The adjustment of the slider 100 is usually carried out by the hand grasping the handle knob 38 - however, this requires releasing the handle. As explained below, instead of the slider 100 positioned on the shaft side, a finger button 104, indicated by dashed lines in Figure 8, can also be formed on an underside 102 of the handle knob 38, via which the thrust assistance during steering can be activated without releasing the handle. Such an embodiment is explained in more detail below. Figures 9 to 12 show a further embodiment of a paddle 6 according to the invention in the split state, wherein the basic structure corresponds to that of the embodiment according to Figures 4 to 8 and only the handle knob 38 is designed differently.

[0075] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the handle knob 38 of this exemplary embodiment, similar to the previously described variants, has a palm rest 88 which transitions into a knob end face 90 which, as explained above, is gripped by the fingers of the hand holding the paddle 6. In contrast to the previously described exemplary embodiment, a guide horn 106, 108 is formed on both sides of the palm rest 88 in the thumb support area, so that a larger side cheek 92, 94 is formed corresponding to the effective length of the guide horn 106, 108, in which a control button 96, 98 that is larger than in the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 4 to 8 can be inserted. The palm rest 88 thus forms, with the knob end face 90, a central gripping area that is laterally delimited by the guide horns 106, 108, so that the user's hand is guided laterally.

[0076] As explained above with reference to Figure 8, in the embodiment according to Figure 11, a finger button 104 for centrally activating the push assistance is also provided in the area of ​​a bottom side 102 of the handle knob 38. Accordingly, by pressing this finger button 104, the steering assistance can be activated, and various levels of motor assistance can be set.

[0077] For visual indication of the selected push assistance, a display 110 is provided on the upper shaft section 78, which indicates the activation of the push assistance / steering assistance. As in the previously described embodiment, the currently selected level of push assistance is displayed via an LED display 76, with three levels again being provided by way of example. As explained, the advantage of this concept is that, on the one hand, the hand of the user 4 is precisely guided laterally and, furthermore, adjustment of the push / steering assistance is possible without releasing the handle. Figure 12 shows the handle knob 38 approximately from the perspective of a user 4, with the knob face 90 then positioned pointing away from the viewer in Figure 12.As can be seen particularly in Figure 12, the user can then determine at a glance, so to speak, from the display 110 whether the thrust assistance is activated, and can determine which thrust assistance level is set from the LED display 76. As can also be seen in Figure 12, this LED display 76 is divided into two fields 76a, 76b, which indicate whether the thrust assistance that causes cornering to the left or right is set.

[0078] With reference to Figures 13 to 18, an embodiment of a paddle 6 according to the invention is explained, in which the handle knob 38 is designed in the shape of a frame, wherein in the illustrated embodiment an approximately triangular frame structure is chosen. This means that the term “handle knob” does not necessarily subsume a spherical geometry, but such a handle knob can also be designed in a frame-like or flat manner, as shown in Figure 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle knob 38 has a base 112, which is grasped by the hand of the user 4. Adjacent to this base 112 are side cheeks 92, 94 of the frame, which are arranged at an angle to the sides and in which a control button 96, 98 is formed each, which, however - not as in the previously described embodiments - is designed as a flat button but as a toggle switch (rocker).Such toggle switches have the advantage that their setting can also be easily recognized visually.

[0079] Adjoining the two side panels 92, 94, two legs 114, 116 are provided on the frame-shaped handle knob 38, which converge towards the upper shaft section 78. Accordingly, the two legs 114, 116, the side panels 92, 94 positioned at an angle thereto, and the base 112 connecting them form a frame that is triangular or trapezoidal in the broadest sense and encompasses a handle opening 118, so that the paddle 6, for example, when transferring from the starboard to the backboard, can be handled more easily by appropriately grasping the frame sections than is the case with the compact solutions according to the previously described embodiments. In the area where the two legs 114, 116 converge, a central display element 120 is provided for displaying various operating states of the paddle 6 and the board 1.This display element 120 can be designed in the manner of a display or as a luminous surface, wherein the color and / or the geometry of the illumination indicate different operating states.

[0080] Similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 8, the adjusting device for activating the push / steer assistance and for selecting the assistance levels is not located on the handle knob 38, but rather on the upper shaft section 78. In the specific embodiment, this adjusting device 42 is designed as a rotary slider 122, whereby the push assistance is activated by moving the rotary slider 122 in direction X (see Figure 13), while the level of the push / steer assistance is adjusted by rotating the rotary slider 122 about the longitudinal axis of the upper shaft section 78 (see arrow Y in Figure 13). The upper shaft section 78 is connected to the lower shaft section 80, as in the previously described embodiments, via a telescopic clamp 82.

[0081] Alternatively, however, other connecting elements, such as pushpins or the like, can also be used in all embodiments.

[0082] As can be seen in particular from Figure 14, the frame-like handle knob 38 of this embodiment is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 32 in the opposite direction to the angle of attack of the blade 34, so that it is angled towards the user 4 during paddling. This is somewhat different from the previously described embodiments, in which the area of ​​the handle knob 38 enclosed by the fingers projects or is angled relative to the shaft axis in the same direction as the blade 34, i.e. in the direction of travel.

[0083] Figure 15 shows a three-dimensional top view of the frame-like handle knob 38 of the described embodiment. This illustration clearly shows the control buttons 96, 98, each designed as a rocker switch, which can be adjusted to activate the push-steering assistance. This adjustment is indicated by way of example in Figure 16, in which the control button 96 is pivoted to the right in the direction of the arrow to provide steering assistance when cornering. This assumes that the push-steering assistance is activated via the rotary slide control 122 and that a corresponding level of the push-steering assistance is set. This is explained using Figures 17 and 18.

[0084] Figure 17 shows the rotary slider 122 in the home position (thrust / steering assistance not activated). Accordingly, the rotary slider 122 has an adjustable collar 124 that can be moved along a guide 126 of the upper shaft section 78 in the axial direction of the shaft 32 or pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 32. To support this pivoting / displacement, a radially projecting adjusting rib 128 is provided on the collar 124, which extends along the axial length of the collar 124. Based on this adjusting rib 128, it is also relatively easy to determine which pivoting angle and thus which level of thrust / steering assistance is set.

[0085] Figure 18 shows the rotary slider 122 with the push-steering assistance activated. As explained above, the sleeve 124 of the rotary slider 122 is moved downwards in the axial direction of arrow X (away from the handle knob 38), whereby this displacement movement is limited by a stop 130. The level of the push-steering assistance is adjusted by pivoting the pivoting rib 128 in the direction of arrow Y. In the position shown in Figure 18, for example, the maximum push assistance is set, which is displayed via the display element 120. To deactivate the push-steering assistance, the rotary slider 122 is returned to the basic position shown in Figure 17, which is predetermined by the sleeve 124 running against a further stop 132.

[0086] Figures 19 and 20 show an embodiment in which two control buttons 96, 98 are provided on the frame-like handle knob 38, which are not designed as toggle switches but as buttons which are either flush with the peripheral surface of the side cheeks 92, 94 or - as in the embodiment shown - are recessed in receptacles 134, 136, so that accidental actuation is almost impossible.

[0087] In the embodiments described with reference to Figures 4 to 20, the actuating device 42 is designed with two control buttons 96, 98 for activating the left / right steering. Furthermore, a further actuator is provided, via which the thrust assistance and, if necessary, also the level of thrust assistance can be adjusted. The latter actuator is formed either on the handle knob 38 or in the transition area from the handle knob 38 to the shaft 32 or the shaft upper part 78.

[0088] Disclosed are a hand-held propulsion tool, in particular a paddle, and a watercraft equipped with such a propulsion tool. A sensor system with a motion sensor and a sensor arrangement that detects the immersion of the blade into the water is arranged in a blade or shaft of the propulsion tool. An adjusting device for adjusting the thrust support is provided in the area of ​​a handle knob of the propulsion tool.

[0089] List of reference symbols:

[0090] 1 board

[0091] 2 decks

[0092] 4 users

[0093] 6 paddles

[0094] 8 Water

[0095] 10 board bodies

[0096] 12 Shock protection

[0097] 14 air chamber

[0098] 16 air chambers

[0099] 18 electric drive unit

[0100] 20 water jets

[0101] 22 output channels

[0102] 24 transverse thrusters

[0103] 26 transverse thrusters

[0104] 28 Battery unit

[0105] 30 displays

[0106] 32 shaft

[0107] 34 sheets

[0108] 36 Bug

[0109] 38 handle knob

[0110] 40 hands

[0111] 42 Adjusting device

[0112] 44 thumbs

[0113] 46 Sensor technology

[0114] 48 Communication module

[0115] 50 radio connection

[0116] 52 central unit

[0117] 54 Crown area

[0118] 56 bending sensor

[0119] 58 Humidity sensor

[0120] 60 temperature sensor

[0121] 62 Longitudinal axis

[0122] 64 Kick-off surface Control dial Control dial Marking Marking Power supply LED display Upper shaft Lower shaft Telescopic clamp Data / signal cable Data / signal cable Palm rest Knob face Side cheek Side cheek Control button Control button Slider Underside Finger button Guide horn Guide horn Display

[0123] Base Leg Leg Handle opening Display element Rotary / sliding control Sleeve Guide Adjusting rib Stop Additional stop 134 Mounting

[0124] 136 recording

Claims

Claims 1. Hand-held propulsion tool, in particular a paddle (6), for a watercraft with an electric drive, in particular a board (1), with a shaft (32), wherein at least on one end section of the shaft (32) a blade (34) is formed, which is guided for moving or steering the watercraft in the water and in which a sensor system (46) with a motion sensor for detecting a characteristic variable representing the movement of the blade (34) in the water (8) is accommodated, wherein the sensor system (46) is in data communication with a central unit (52) of the drive via a communication module (48), characterized by a sensor arrangement which detects the immersion of the blade (34) in the water (8), wherein preferably the sensor system (46) is designed such that the characteristic variable is detected only when the blade (34) is immersed in the water (8).

2. Tunneling tool according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement has a temperature sensor (60) and / or a humidity sensor (58).

3. Propulsion tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motion sensor is a bending sensor (56) for detecting the blade or shaft bending or an acceleration sensor or a pressure sensor.

4. Tunneling tool according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the temperature sensor (60) and the humidity sensor (58) are arranged approximately in a V-shape relative to one another and the bending sensor (56) is arranged approximately centrally with respect to the V-structure.

5. Propulsion tool, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with an adjusting device (42) for setting a direction of travel and thrust support by the drive.

6. Propulsion tool according to claim 5, wherein the adjusting device (42) is formed on the shaft (32) or in the region of a handle held on the shaft (32), preferably a handle knob (38) which can be gripped by a hand (40) of a user (4).

7. Tunneling tool according to claim 6, with a display, preferably an LED display (76) for visualizing the setting and other parameters or characteristics.

8. Propulsion tool according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the adjusting device (42) is designed with at least two adjusting elements mounted on the shaft (32) or on the handle knob (38), one of which is provided for adjusting the direction of travel and the other for adjusting the thrust support.

9. Propulsion tool according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein control buttons (96, 98) for activating steering to the left or right and a central actuator for activating the thrust assistance and / or for setting a level of the thrust assistance are provided on or in the region of a handle knob (38).

10. A tunneling tool according to claim 9, wherein the control button (96, 98) is formed on guide horns (106, 108) which extend laterally from a grip part of the handle knob (38).

11. A tunneling tool according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the central actuator is a finger button (104) positioned on a portion of the handle knob (38) inclined toward the shaft (32).

12. Propulsion tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft (32) and an electrical contact of the sensor (46) and the actuating device (42) are divisible.

13. Tunneling tool according to one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the buttons (96, 98, 104) are designed as toggle switches, buttons, sliders, rotary / slider controls or the like.

14. Tunneling tool according to one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the handle knob (38) is frame-shaped, in particular with an approximately triangular or trapezoidal structure, wherein a base (112) of this handle knob (38) forms a handle part and the buttons (96, 98, 104) are arranged laterally adjacent to this base (112).

15. Tunneling tool according to claim 13 or 14, wherein an indicator element (120) is provided in a region of the frame-shaped handle knob (38) converging towards the shaft (32).

16. Motorized watercraft, in particular a board (1), with a propulsion tool, in particular a paddle (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a central unit (52) of a drive of the watercraft is in data communication with the propulsion tool, so that the drive can be controlled as a function of the signals from a sensor system (46) of the propulsion tool, wherein the drive is in particular an electric water jet drive, preferably with a transverse thruster (24, 26).

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