Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to an effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, formed by an animal-drawn vehicle incorporating a sensor unit (1) that detects the tractive or compressive force between the vehicle and animal and sends the obtained information to a processing control element, which also takes into account environmental conditions (3) regarding temperature, humidity and vital signs of the animal and provides a power value to be applied to a motor that acts on the wheel or wheels of the vehicle. The value may be a positive thrust value or braking value with energy recovery, as required.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] EFFORT ASSISTANCE SYSTEM IN ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for assisting the effort made by the animal pulling a horse-drawn cart or carriage to which it is attached.

[0005] Its objective is to help and protect the animal(s) in their efforts to pull vehicles.

[0006] It proposes a simple and effective solution to help the animal reduce its effort when pulling the cart or car to which it is attached, adding a new specific function: equipping the vehicle with mechanical assistance so that the animal can perform its effort of pulling the cart in a more relaxed manner.

[0007] It solves the problem of the effort that the horses bear when pulling the horse-drawn carriage or cart, mainly when starting off or climbing hills and especially when only one horse is hitched, in which case all the pulling effort is concentrated on that single pulling force that is not shared with others.

[0008] One of the obvious advantages of this invention is that the animal does not suffer as much, since mechanical assistance is provided to the vehicle so that the animal does not work with unwanted effort.

[0009] The industrial application of this invention is within the animal-drawn vehicle sector to relieve the effort of pulling vehicles to which they are attached, and more specifically, horse-drawn carriages.

[0010] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Although no invention identical to the one described has been found, we present below the documents found that reflect the state of the art related to it.

[0012] Thus, document ES2445808A1 refers to an adaptable horse carriage, comprising a support frame with front and rear axle for respective pairs of wheels (1), on which frame a structure (2) is established to form the floor, seats and allow the assembly of the corresponding enclosure elements or bodywork (8) of the carriage, 5 including the side doors themselves, characterized in that the structure (2) established on the frame is related to four lifting / lowering elements (3) and in turn damping of the structure itself (2), with respect to the ground, whose lifting / lowering elements (3) are arranged, two of them in correspondence with the lateral areas of the front part and the other two in correspondence with the lateral areas of the rear part, allowing the lowering of the structure (2) to a certain level with respect to the ground,enabling the boarding of passengers and wheelchairs of people with reduced mobility, as well as the raising of said structure (2) to the level of normal use in circulation of the carriage; with the particularity that on the lower and intermediate part of the structure (2) a support (5) is fixed for a sliding plate (6) capable of occupying an inoperative and hidden position on said support (5) or a removable position towards any of the sides of the carriage, to form a ramp for a wheelchair to the carriage; safety sensors and proximity detectors and transmitters (7) of positions of the carriage having been provided, with respect to the ground and / or with respect to possible lower obstacles, all in combination with a programmable automaton, CPU and electrical components for the corresponding control of all the means that participate in the operation.

[0013] NL1028614C2 describes a carriage having at least one axle (5, 7) connected to the chassis (3) or to a subframe (9) via at least one arm (23, 25) extending in the transverse direction of the carriage and extending at an angle (when viewed from above) to arms (19, 21) extending in the longitudinal direction of the carriage and also connecting the axle to the chassis. The longitudinal steering arms are connected to the axle ends via dampers (15, 17) with coil springs around them. The subframe, if present, is connected to the chassis.

[0014] FR2807726A1 proposes a device for converting a four-wheeled animal-drawn carriage into a two-wheeled carriage, characterized in that it comprises an axle formed by two half-shafts (A) and (B) that fit into a tube (C). Each half-shaft comprises an axe (1) on which an oscillating suspension arm is fixed. A spring / shock absorber assembly (3) is fixed to each arm. At the end of each arm, a drill hole receives the pin (5) for fixing the wheel (6).

[0015] AU726300B2 claims a sulky suspension system having: a frame; a first axle having a proximal end thereof pivotally mounted to the frame, a distal end of said first axle being adapted to rotatably receive a first wheel; a second axle having a proximal end thereof pivotally connected to said distal end of said first axle, a distal end of said second axle being adapted to rotatably receive a second wheel; first resilient means associating the distal end of the first axle with the frame to control movement of said first wheel; and second resilient means associating the distal end of the second axle with the frame to control movement of said second wheel.

[0016] Conclusions: As can be seen from the research carried out, none of the documents found solve the problems raised as this invention does.

[0017] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The effort assistance system for animal-drawn vehicles object of the present invention is constituted from an animal-drawn vehicle to which a sensor unit is incorporated that detects the traction or compression force between the vehicle and the animal, sending the obtained information to the processor control. This also takes into account the environmental conditions of temperature, humidity, and vital signs of the animal and generates a power value to be applied to the motor that acts on the wheel or wheels of the vehicle. This value can be positive thrust or braking with energy recovery, if appropriate. The motor that transmits the power can be mounted directly or through a reduction gear and any type of suitable transmission acting on one or more wheels.

[0019] As for the battery pack and control unit, they can be installed in any convenient space in the vehicle.

[0020] The traction or compression sensor can be installed anywhere on the implement system, on the poles, straps, or collars, to detect the forces applied between the vehicle and the animal(s) used. The drawing shows it installed on the poles.

[0021] The vehicle's braking system overrides the forward engine's assistance action and instructs the engine to generate energy to assist in braking.

[0022] The control unit accepts the input of the necessary variables for proper application. These variables must be entered by specialized veterinary personnel, as they are the experts in applying them and making the necessary adjustments tailored to the animal(s) being used. To do this, they rely on the animal's vital data, the environment, and the traction sensors' indications. The system includes a battery charge status indicator and a visual / audible alarm system for maximum effort and maximum system assistance.

[0023] The system will only act as a safety measure when the driver is in the vehicle or has full control of the situation, either by using any part of their body on a control. The moment the driver stops using this control, the system will immediately stop.

[0024] The battery pack is rechargeable, as are the electric motors.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] For a better understanding of this description, some drawings are attached that represent a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention:

[0027] Figure 1: Schematic view of an assistance system on an animal-drawn vehicle

[0028] The numerical references that appear in said figure correspond to the following constituent elements of the invention:

[0029] 1. Traction and compression sensor

[0030] 2. Battery pack and control unit, which can be installed in any convenient space in the vehicle.

[0031] 3. Environmental sensors

[0032] 4. Electric traction or braking controlled by the processor

[0033] 5. Vital sensors

[0034] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035] A preferred embodiment of the device object of the present invention, with reference to the numerical references, may be based on an effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles that is constituted from an animal-drawn vehicle to which a sensor unit (1) is incorporated that detects the traction or compression force between the vehicle and the animal, sending the information obtained to the processor control. This also takes into account the environmental conditions (3) of temperature, humidity, and vital signs of the animal and gives a power value to be applied to the motor that acts on the wheel or wheels of the vehicle. This value can be positive thrust or braking with energy recovery if appropriate. The motor that transmits the power can be placed directly or through a reduction and any type of suitable transmission acting on one or several wheels.

[0036] As for the battery pack and control unit (2), they can be installed in any convenient space in the vehicle.

[0037] The traction or compression sensor (1) can be installed anywhere on the implement system, on the poles, straps, or collar, to detect the forces applied between the vehicle and the animal(s) used. The drawing shows it installed on the poles.

[0038] The braking system (4) of the vehicle cancels the forward motor assistance action and gives the order to the same to generate energy helping in braking.

[0039] The control unit accepts the input of the variables necessary for proper application. These variables must be entered by specialized veterinary personnel, as they are the experts in applying them and making the necessary adjustments tailored to the animal(s) being used. To do this, they rely on the animal's vital data, the environment, and the traction sensors' indications.

[0040] The system includes a battery charge status indicator and a visual / audible alarm system that alerts you when the system is at its maximum capacity and when it reaches its maximum level of assistance.

[0041] The system will only act as a safety measure when the driver is in the vehicle or has full control of the situation, either by using any part of their body on a control. The moment the driver stops using this control, the system will immediately stop.

[0042] The battery group (2) is rechargeable, as well as the electric motors.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, consisting of an animal-drawn vehicle characterized in that a sensor unit (1) is incorporated which detects the traction or compression force between the vehicle and the animal, sending the information obtained to the processor control, also taking into account the environmental conditions (3) of temperature, humidity, and vital signs of the animal and gives a power value to be applied to the motor that acts on the wheel or wheels of the vehicle, this value being able to be positive thrust or braking with energy recovery if appropriate. 2.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor that transmits the power can be placed directly or through a reduction and any type of suitable transmission acting on one or more wheels. 3.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery group and control unit (2) can be installed in any convenient space in the vehicle. 4.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction or compression sensor (1) can be installed in any part of the implement system, on the poles, straps, collar, in order to detect these forces applied between the vehicle and the animal(s) used. The drawing indicates that it is installed on the poles. 5.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the braking system (4) of the vehicle cancels the forward assistance action of the engine and gives the order to the same to generate energy to help in braking. 6.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit accepts the introduction of the necessary variants for proper application. 7.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system includes a battery charge status indicator and a visual / audible alarm system at the moment of maximum effort and reaching the maximum aid of the system. 8.- Effort assistance system in animal-drawn vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery group (2) is rechargeable, as are the electric motors.

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