Skateboard provided with a circuit breaker device

Abstract

The invention relates to a skateboard (1) comprising: a platform (2) to which at least one electric drive motor (M) and at least one electric power supply circuit (4) are attached, and at least one battery (31) electrically connected to the at least one electric power supply circuit (4) by means of at least one power cable (33), wherein the skateboard (1) comprises: at least one circuit breaker device (6) configured to assume an open position and a closed position, and an actuator (5) for actuating the at least one circuit breaker device (6), wherein the actuator (5) is attached to the at least one power cable (33), and wherein the actuator (5) is configured to switch the at least one circuit breaker device (6) to the open position when a force is applied to the at least one power cable (33).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Skateboard equipped with a circuit breaker device

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to the field of skateboards and in particular to a skateboard, a connection method and a disconnection method.

[0005] State of the prior art

[0006] A skateboard, also known as a skateboard, is a platform on which a user positions themselves to move.

[0007] Typically, a skateboard has at least one wheel.

[0008] Skateboards are known which are equipped with an electric propulsion device comprising at least one electric propulsion motor and at least one electrical power supply circuit. The electric propulsion device makes it possible to rotate the at least one wheel.

[0009] A power supply for such a skateboard comprises at least one battery that is positioned on the platform or in a bag carried by the user, for example a backpack. The battery may be in a connected position or in a disconnected position from the power supply circuit.

[0010] When the battery is carried by the user and in the connected position, the battery is electrically and physically connected to the electric propulsion motor by means of a power cable. In the disconnected position, the battery is not electrically or physically connected to the power supply circuit.

[0011] Sometimes the power cord becomes unplugged while the skateboard is in motion, for example when the user falls. This creates a risk of creating an electric arc or a power surge that could damage the electrical power circuit.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a skateboard with better electrical safety in case of accidental unplugging.

[0013] Statement of the invention

[0014] One embodiment relates to a skateboard comprising:

[0015] - a platform on which is fixed at least one electric propulsion motor and at least one electrical power supply circuit for said at least one propulsion motor, the at least one electrical power supply circuit being provided with a first part of a power supply connector, and

[0016] - at least one battery electrically connected to the at least one electrical power supply circuit by means of at least one power cable, said at least one power cable being fixed to the first part of the power connector by a second part of the power connector, characterized in that the skateboard (1) comprises:

[0017] - at least one circuit breaker device configured to take an open position in which the first part of the power connector is electrically separated from the at least one propulsion motor, and a closed position in which the first part of the power connector is electrically connected to the at least one propulsion motor, and

[0018] - an actuator of the at least one circuit breaker device, the actuator being fixed to the at least one power cable, the actuator being configured to put the at least one circuit breaker device in the open position when a force is applied to the at least one power cable. The platform is an element having, on a first face, at least one flat surface configured to allow a user to position themselves on it, preferably configured to allow a user to position their feet on it.

[0019] The platform comprises, on a second face opposite the first face, at least one wheel and preferably at least three wheels.

[0020] The platform includes an electric propulsion motor configured to rotate the at least one wheel.

[0021] The platform comprises at least one electrical power supply circuit for the propulsion motor, said electrical power supply circuit being provided with a first part of a power connector. For example, the first part of the power connector comprises at least two female, or alternatively male, electrical terminals.

[0022] The propulsion motor is electrically powered by a battery which is electrically connected to the at least one power supply electrical circuit by means of a power cable. The power cable is provided with a second part of the power connector. For example, the second part of the power connector comprises at least two female, or alternatively male, electrical terminals.

[0023] The second part and the first part of the power connector are configured to cooperate with each other such that the second part can be inserted into the first part, or respectively the first part into the second part, in order to create an electrical connection between them.

[0024] The battery is configured to be carried by a user, for example in a bag. In other words, the battery is not attached to the platform during operation of the skateboard. The battery can be in a connected position or in a disconnected position from the electrical power circuit. In the connected position, the second part of the power connector cooperates with the first part of the power connector so that the battery is electrically and physically connected to the platform by the power cable.

[0025] In the disconnected position, the second part of the power connector is independent of the first part of the power connector so that the battery is electrically and physically disconnected from the platform.

[0026] The skateboard is innovative in that it includes a circuit breaker device that cooperates with an actuator.

[0027] The circuit breaker device can assume an open position in which the first part of the power connector is electrically separated from the at least one propulsion motor. In this position, the battery can no longer electrically supply the propulsion motor.

[0028] The circuit breaker device may also assume a closed position in which the first portion of the power connector is electrically connected to the at least one propulsion motor. In this position, the battery in the connected position may electrically power the propulsion motor.

[0029] The circuit breaker device is therefore a switch that allows the passage of an electric current to be interrupted or allowed. For example, the circuit breaker device includes a switch.

[0030] The actuator is configured to change the position of the circuit breaker device. More specifically, the actuator is configured to place the circuit breaker device in the open position when a force, for example a tensile force, is applied to the power cable, in particular when the battery is in the connected position. For this, the actuator is directly attached to the power cable.

[0031] Indeed, a force on the power cable can cause a disconnection of the two parts of the power connector. The invention allows an opening of the electrical circuit, that is to say a putting in the open position of the circuit breaker device, so that said disconnection of the two parts of the power connector does not cause a degradation of the electrical power circuit by an overvoltage or an electric arc for example.

[0032] The subject matter of this disclosure may also exhibit one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0033] In some embodiments, the actuator is configured to place the at least one circuit breaker device in the open position prior to disconnection of the two portions of the power connector.

[0034] In some embodiments, the actuator includes a connecting member integrally attached to the power cable, and a contact member configured to assume an engaged position in which the circuit breaker device is in a closed position, and a withdrawn position in which the circuit breaker device is in an open position.

[0035] Thus, the contact element therefore controls the position taken by the circuit breaker device. In certain embodiments, the connecting element is a flexible element.

[0036] Thus, a certain force, for example a force greater than a force threshold, must be applied to the power cable in order to change the position of the actuator. It is therefore possible that when using the skateboard, a small force, for example a force less than the force threshold, is exerted without causing an electrical disconnection of the propulsion motor. The use of the skateboard is therefore facilitated.

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

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

[0039] Thus, when a force is exerted on the power cable, the contact element will be disconnected, that is to say, it will move to the withdrawn position, before disconnecting the two parts of the power connector. In other words, the circuit breaker device will move to the open position before the battery moves to the disconnected position. The electrical safety of the skateboard is therefore ensured.

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

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

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

[0043] This makes it easier to move from the engaged position to the withdrawn position.

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

[0045] A force exerted on a part of the power connector allows the two parts to be separated.

[0046] Thus, the transition from the connected position of the battery to the disconnected position is facilitated. The invention also relates to a method of connecting at least one battery of a skateboard according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

[0047] A fastening step in which the second part of the power connector is connected to the first part of the power connector, A powering step in which the actuator is positioned to place the circuit breaker device in the closed position.

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

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

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

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

[0052] The invention also relates to a method of disconnecting at least one battery from a skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:

[0053] A cut-off step in which the actuator is positioned to place the circuit breaker device in the open position,

[0054] A disconnection step, subsequent to the cutting step, in which the second part of the power connector is removed from the first part of the power connector.

[0055] The electrical disconnection of the propulsion motor requires two successive steps so as not to create a surge or an electric arc which could damage the electrical supply circuit.

[0056] In some embodiments, in the cutting step, the contact element is positioned in the withdrawn position.

[0057] In some embodiments, in the disconnecting step, the battery is positioned in a disconnected mode.

[0058] Brief description of the drawings

[0059] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to an embodiment according to the present invention, given as a non-limiting example and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawing, in which:

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a skateboard according to the invention.

[0061] Description of the embodiments

[0062] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been represented.

[0063] The invention relates to a skateboard comprising a platform 2. The platform 2 is an element having, on a first face, at least one flat surface configured to allow a user to position himself on it, preferably configured to allow a user to position his feet on it.

[0064] The platform 2 comprises, on a second face opposite the first face, at least one wheel and preferably at least three wheels. The wheels are configured to be placed in contact with the ground.

[0065] Platform 2 also includes an electric propulsion motor M configured to spin the wheels.

[0066] The platform 2 comprises at least one electrical power supply circuit 4 for the propulsion motor M. The electrical power supply circuit 4 is provided with a first part 411 of a power connector 41. For example, the first part 411 of the power connector 41 comprises at least two female, or alternatively male, electrical terminals.

[0067] The power supply circuit 4 finally includes two fans and a lamp.

[0068] The electrical power supply circuit 4 also comprises a circuit breaker device 6 configured to take an open position in which the first part 411 of the power connector 41 is electrically separated from the at least one propulsion motor M, and a closed position in which the first part 411 of the power connector 41 is electrically connected to the at least one propulsion motor M.

[0069] In the open position, no power supply can electrically power the propulsion motor M by being connected to the power connector 41.

[0070] In the closed position, a power supply connected to the power connector 41 can electrically supply the propulsion motor M.

[0071] The circuit breaker device 6 is therefore a switch for interrupting or allowing the passage of an electric current. For example, the circuit breaker device 6 comprises a switch.

[0072] The skateboard 1 also includes at least one battery 31.

[0073] The battery 31 is configured to be carried by a user, for example in a bag 3. In other words, the battery 31 is not fixed to the platform 2 during operation of the skateboard 1. The battery comprises a connection connector 32 for electrically and physically connecting the battery 31 to a power cable 33.

[0074] The power cable 33 comprises a second portion 412 of the power connector 41. For example, the second portion 412 of the power connector 41 comprises at least two female, or alternatively male, electrical terminals.

[0075] The second part 412 and the first part 411 of the power connector 41 are configured to cooperate with each other such that the second part 412 can be inserted into the first part 411, or respectively the first part 411 into the second part 412, in order to create an electrical connection between them.

[0076] In some embodiments, the second portion 412 of the power connector 41 is removably attached to the first portion 411. A force exerted on a portion 412, 411 of the power connector 41 makes it possible to separate said two portions 412, 411.

[0077] The battery 31 may be in a connected position or in a disconnected position from the electrical power supply circuit 4. In the connected position, the second part 412 of the power connector 41 cooperates with the first part 411 of the power connector so that the battery 31 is electrically and physically connected to the platform 2 by the power cable 33. In the connected position, the propulsion motor M is therefore electrically powered by the battery 31. In the disconnected position, the second part 412 of the power connector 41 is independent of the first part 411 of the power connector 41 so that the battery 31 is electrically and physically disconnected from the platform 2. The skateboard 1 also comprises an actuator 5 of the at least one circuit breaker device 6.

[0078] The actuator 5 is configured to modify the position of the circuit breaker device 6. More precisely, the actuator 5 is configured to put the circuit breaker device 6 in the open position when a force, for example a tensile force, is applied to the power cable 33, in particular when the battery 31 is in the connected position. For this, the actuator 5 is fixed, in a solid manner, on the power cable 33, at a fixing point 35.

[0079] In some embodiments, the actuator 5 is configured to place the circuit breaker device 6 in the open position before disconnection of the two parts 412, 411 from the power connector 41.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the actuator 5 comprises on the one hand a flexible connecting element 51, fixed in a fixed manner at the level of the fixing point 35 of the power cable 33, and on the other hand a contact element 52.

[0081] The attachment point 35 of the connecting element 51 on the power cable 33 is fixed.

[0082] More particularly, a length of the connecting element 51 is less than a length of the power cable 33 measured between a fixing point 35 of the connecting element 51 on the power cable 33 and the second part 412 of the power connector 41.

[0083] The contact element 52 is configured to assume an engaged position in which the circuit breaker device 6 is in the closed position, and a withdrawn position in which the circuit breaker device 6 is in the open position.

[0084] In the engaged position, the contact element 52 is fixed, i.e. in contact, with the circuit breaker device 6, and in the withdrawn position the contact element 52 is no longer in contact, i.e. independent, of the circuit breaker device 6. In certain embodiments, the contact element 52 in the engaged position is configured to be removably fixed to the circuit breaker device 6.

[0085] In some embodiments, the contact element 52 in the engaged position is configured to be secured by a clip, or by an insert.

[0086] The contact element 52 therefore controls the position taken by the circuit breaker device 6.

[0087] When a force is exerted on the power cable 33, the contact element 5 will be disconnected, that is to say, move into the withdrawn position, before disconnecting the two parts 411, 412 from the power connector 41. In other words, the circuit breaker device 6 will move into the open position before the battery 31 moves into the disconnected position. The electrical safety of the skateboard is therefore ensured.

[0088] More specifically, and in order to facilitate use of the skateboard, the force exerted on the power cable 33 to disconnect the contact element 5 must be greater than a force threshold. Thus, it is possible that during use of the skateboard 1 a force less than the force threshold is exerted without causing an electrical disconnection of the propulsion motor M.

[0089] The invention allows opening of the electrical circuit, that is to say placing the circuit breaker device 6 in the open position, so that disconnection of the two parts 411, 412 of the power connector 41 does not cause damage to the electrical power circuit by an overvoltage or an electric arc for example.

[0090] A method of connecting the battery 31 of the skateboard 1 implements a fixing step in which the second part 412 of the power connector 41 is connected, for example inserted, to the first part 411 of the power connector 41. In other words, in the fixing step, the battery 31 is positioned in connected mode.

[0091] The connection method also comprises a powering step in which the actuator 5 is positioned to place the circuit breaker device 6 in the closed position. In other words, in the powering step, the contact element 52 is positioned in the engaged position.

[0092] The power supply of the M propulsion motor therefore requires two independent steps that can be carried out in any order.

[0093] A method of disconnecting the battery 31 from the skateboard 1 comprises a cutting step in which the actuator 5 is positioned to place the circuit breaker device 6 in the open position. In other words, in the cutting step, the contact element 52 is positioned in the removed position.

[0094] The disconnection method also comprises a disconnection step, subsequent to the disconnection step, in which the second part 412 of the power connector 41 is removed from the first part 411 of the power connector 41. In other words, in the disconnection step, the battery 31 is positioned in disconnected mode.

[0095] The electrical disconnection of the M propulsion motor requires the two successive steps above so as not to create an overvoltage or an electric arc which could damage the electrical supply circuit.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

[0097] It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a method are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a method.

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. A skateboard (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion (412) of the power connector (41) is removably attached to the first portion (411).

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

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

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