Electric propulsion vehicle on wheels

Abstract

An electric propulsion vehicle (50) on wheels which comprises a pole (24), which has an upper end, to which a handlebar is connected, and a lower end, opposite to the upper end, to which a front wheel (11), a first deck (1) and a second deck (1a) are connected, each of which has a resting surface (1b), which is intended to support a respective foot of the user. The first deck (1) and the second deck (1a) each extend between a respective first end, connected to the pole (24), and a respective second end, to which a respective rear wheel (10, 10a) is hinged. The vehicle 50 further comprises connecting means (30) of the first deck (1) and second deck (1a) to the pole (24) and moving means (2) of the first deck (1) and second deck (1a) relative to the pole (24), connected to the connecting means (30). On the vehicle (50), the resting surfaces (1b) of both decks (1, 1a) are arranged parallel relative to a horizontal plane (PO).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] ELECTRIC PROPULSION VEHICLE ON WHEELS

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to an electric propulsion vehicle on wheels.

[0005] The present invention is generally applicable to the field of electric propulsion vehicles, in particular in the field of electric scooters, which have gained popularity in cities worldwide by virtue of their convenience, ease of use and sustainability.

[0006] Background art

[0007] The innovation in scooter design has led to the creation of several variants over the years, each with specific features designed to meet a variety of user needs.

[0008] More traditional scooters have two wheels, a front one and a rear one, connected by means of a deck on which the user stands.

[0009] Initially, these scooters were propelled by means of the mechanical action of the user's foot pushing against the ground to generate movement. As technology progressed, motorized two-wheel scooters were developed, initially equipped with endothermic motors and later with electric motors, which offer an automated and more convenient alternative for traveling. These scooters are valued for their light weight and maneuverability. By virtue of their simple structure, they are easy to maneuver and allow greater speed and agility of movement, ideal for users seeking a quick vehicle for short travels. They are generally easy to carry and store, given their compact design. However, one of the main disadvantages of these motorized models is limited stability and therefore they require more balancing by the user; they are less safe, especially on uneven surfaces or for less experienced users.

[0010] Three-wheel scooters with a deck were introduced to address the problem of stability. These models, which have a three-wheel configuration, have two front wheels and one rear wheel, or vice versa, and a single deck. The third wheel offers greater stability than the two-wheel models, making it easier to maintain balance and reducing the risk of falls, which increases safety for the user.

[0011] However, the increased stability is achieved at the expense of handling. Compared with two-wheel models, these scooters may be less agile in changes of direction.

[0012] In some cases, the two rear wheels are fixedly mounted on the same axle, and therefore, in very pronounced steering, the wheel opposite the steering direction lifts off the ground.

[0013] Substantially, these limits are related to riding rigidity.

[0014] On other variants, shock-absorbing systems were introduced on both rear wheels, which allow the wheel to accommodate varying degrees of steering inclination or the presence of a rough road surface.

[0015] The shock-absorbing mechanisms are made of several components which require a given degree of maintenance, and so excessive costs related to vehicle maintenance are added to the limitations related to footprint and riding rigidity.

[0016] The single deck does not allow weight to be discharged equally on both legs, due to the assumed position, and consequently implies some structural rigidity on both rear wheels. The limited resting surface can make it difficult to maintain a comfortable and stable posture while riding.

[0017] Although the three wheels increase stability, a single deck reduces the ability to maintain a good balance, especially in more challenging riding situations, e.g., on uneven road surfaces or in case of collisions.

[0018] Disclosure of the invention

[0019] Three-wheel scooters with two decks, one for each of the user’s feet, were developed to solve the problem related to structural rigidity. The decks are usually mutually independent.

[0020] Typically, these vehicles use a moving means to make the rear wheels maintain the same grip on the ground during the step of steering.

[0021] The moving means are positioned on the steering pole just above the front wheel, and to which tubular arms are anchored, the arms widening in a "Y"-shape and ending obliquely downward with small decks, below which the wheels are positioned.

[0022] This configuration excessively increases the footprint of the vehicle, which reaches the width of a sidewalk, requiring a spread position of the legs because the scooter was initially designed for human propulsion and its advancement required a particular oscillatory and alternating movement of the torso and the legs.

[0023] The vehicle of the present invention falls within this context of electric scooters with three wheels and two decks, and the technical task of the invention is to suggest an electric propulsion vehicle on wheels which can overcome the drawbacks of the known art mentioned above.

[0024] The technical task is substantially achieved by an electric propulsion vehicle on wheels comprising the technical features illustrated in one or more of the appended claims.

[0025] Brief description of drawings

[0026] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent in the following indicative and consequently non-limiting description of some preferred, but not exclusive embodiments of an electrical propulsion vehicle on wheels, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] - figure 1 shows a side view of the vehicle of the present invention;

[0028] - figure 2 shows a first rear view of the vehicle of the present invention, with balancing axis perpendicular to the ground;

[0029] - figure 3 shows a first rear view of the vehicle of the present invention, with balancing axis inclined leftwards;

[0030] - figure 4 shows a third rear view of the vehicle of the present invention, with balancing axis inclined rightwards; - figure 5 shows a partial elevation view from above of the vehicle of the present invention with some parts removed to better highlight others;

[0031] - figure 6 shows a further rear view of the vehicle of the present invention, with balancing axis perpendicular to the ground;

[0032] - figure 7 shows the cross-section of a component of the vehicle of the present invention;

[0033] - figures 8A and 8B show the elevation view and the cross section, respectively, of a further component of the vehicle of the present invention.

[0034] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0035] With reference to the accompanying figures, and with particular reference to figure 1 , an electric propulsion vehicle on wheels is shown according to the present invention, which will be referred to as vehicle 50 hereinafter for simplicity of description.

[0036] In particular, the vehicle 50 is a vehicle provided with three wheels, one front wheel 11 and two rear wheels 10 and 10a, also called a delta wing scooter.

[0037] The vehicle 50 comprises a pole 24, which has an upper end, to which a handlebar is connected, and a lower end, opposite to the upper end, to which a front wheel 11 is connected.

[0038] The vehicle 50 comprises a first deck 1 and a second deck 1 a, each of which has a resting surface 1 b intended to support a respective foot of the user.

[0039] The resting surfaces 1 b of both decks 1 and 1 a are parallel to a horizontal plane PO.

[0040] In an embodiment, an electric power source configured to power the propulsion means of the vehicle 50 is housed in at least one deck 1 .

[0041] The vehicle 50 has a symmetry axis 1x, and the decks 1 and 1 a are specular relative to this axis 1x.

[0042] The first deck 1 and the second deck 1 a extend between a respective first end, connected to the pole 24, and a respective second end to which the respective rear wheel 10, Wa is hinged.

[0043] The vehicle 50 comprises connecting means 30 of the first deck 1 and second deck 1 a to the pole 24.

[0044] The vehicle 50 comprises moving means 2 of the first deck which make it possible to achieve a relative movement of the first deck 1 and the second deck 1 a relative to the pole 24, connected to the connecting means 30.

[0045] The connecting means 30 comprise a sleeve 3, which has an upper portion 23 for coupling to part of the pole 24 and a lower portion 3a for housing at least part of the moving means 2.

[0046] According to the embodiment shown in figure 1 , the lower portion 3a of the sleeve 3 is connected to the body of the sleeve 3 and thus to the next upper portion 23 by means of fixing screws 25.

[0047] In other words, the sleeve 3 in the upper portion 23 allows the coupling between the sleeve 3 and the handlebar post 24, and in the lower portion 3a allows the coupling between the sleeve 3 and a part of the moving means 2.

[0048] The post 24 has a portion inclined relative to its main direction of extension, near the lower end, and the upper portion 23 of the sleeve 3 couples with the inclined portion of the pole 24.

[0049] The lower portion 3a of the sleeve 3 runs mainly along a direction parallel to a horizontal direction.

[0050] The connecting means 30 comprise a pair of arms 6, 6a, a first arm 6 and a second arm 6a, each connected to a respective deck 1 and 1a by means of the respective coupling means 15.

[0051] The moving means 2 are interposed between the first arm 6 and the second arm 6a and the lower portion 3a of the sleeve 3.

[0052] In other words, in the vehicle 50 of the present invention, the splitting of the decks 1 and 1 a occurs at the connection point between the lower part 3a of the sleeve 3 and the moving means 2.

[0053] The decks 1 and 1 a are fixedly connected to the arms 6 and 6a by means of respective coupling means 15, which are bolts in this embodiment.

[0054] The moving means 2 comprise a pin 9, rotating about a relative rotation axis 9x and housed in a respective seat of the lower portion 3a of the sleeve 3.

[0055] The rotation axis 9x of the pin 9 is parallel to a rotation axis 10x of the rear wheels 10 and 10a.

[0056] The arms 6, 6a have a respective end 6b, 6c connected to the pin 9 independently, so as to oscillate about the rotation axis (9x) of the pin 9 independently of each other.

[0057] The respective ends 6b and 6c, proximal to the front wheel 11 , of the arms 6 and 6a are connected in a parallel manner to the lower portion 3a of the sleeve 3 by means of the rotation pin 9.

[0058] The pin locking screws 5 lock the rotation pin 9 to the sleeve 3.

[0059] The pin locking screws 5 define fixing means.

[0060] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the moving means 2 comprise a tilting pin 7 having a dedicated axis 7x for each deck 1 , 1a. Each tilting pin 7 oscillates with respect to the symmetry axis 1x.

[0061] The moving means 2 comprise a pair of ball joints 22 and 22a, having axis 7x of the tilting pin 7 as oscillation axis.

[0062] Each of the ball joints 22 and 22a is connected to a respective arm 6 and 6a in a portion located at a distance "D" from the rotation axis 9x of the pin 9.

[0063] The arms 6 and 6a are connected to the respective ball joints 22 and 22a by means of the respective tilting pin 7.

[0064] Respective screws 8, defining fixing means, lock a tilting pin 7 to the respective arms 6 and 6a.

[0065] The oscillation of the tilting pin 7, parallel to the oscillation of the pin 9, is transferred to the decks 1 and 1 a by means of the ball joints 22 and 22a placed at a distance "D" from the rotation axis 9x of the pin 9.

[0066] The vehicle 50 involves a first oscillation motion around the rotation axis 9x of the pin 9 and a second oscillation motion of the tilting pin 7 with respect to the symmetry axis 1x.

[0067] This oscillation allows the movement of the decks 1 and 1 a to be synchronized.

[0068] This mechanism makes the movement of the decks 1 and 1a coordinated and alternating, pushing them away from a horizontal plane "PO” in opposite directions in a scissor-like motion.

[0069] Advantageously, the scissor-like movement along the same axis allows the decks 1 and 1 a to tilt in an alternating motion, according to the steering direction, and allows rear wheels 10 and 10a to maintain the same inclination and grip with the ground.

[0070] The rear wheels 10 and 10a are positioned at the second end of the decks 1 and 1a.

[0071] The rear wheels 10 and 10a are offset toward the outside of the decks 1 and 1 a to increase the wheelbase, allowing greater stability when both moving and standing.

[0072] The rear wheels 10 and 10a have respective mudguards 27 and 27a.

[0073] The decks 1 and 1 a are equipped with headlights 14 and 14a and turn signals 13 and 13a, which the most stringent regulations require for the circulation of these vehicles in cities.

[0074] The decks 1 and 1a are provided with visual positioning means 16 and 16a.

[0075] The rear wheels 10 and 10a of the vehicle 50 are provided with a braking system 17 and 17a, visual turn sign means 29 and 29a, visual braking means 28 and 28a.

[0076] Advantageously, it is therefore possible to apply all the accessory devices suggested in the prior art to the vehicle 50 of the present invention, increasing its safety and promoting its compliance with the legal regulations concerning the equipment that all electric scooters must have. Advantageously, the presence of two independent decks 1 and 1 a allows a wider range of movements, allowing the user to better control the vehicle 50 and providing a more comfortable and natural riding position, reducing fatigue during prolonged use.

[0077] Advantageously, the moving means 2 being connected only to the lower portion 3a of the sleeve 3, allow having a standard upper portion 23 of the sleeve 3, thus connectable to any pole 24 available among the existing scooter models.

[0078] The vehicle 50 of the present invention substantially maintains the structure and construction characteristics of the most common scooters on the market today, and therefore it is possible to mount all the accessory devices of prior art on it, such as shock absorbers, various types of wheels and brakes.

[0079] The vehicle 50 of the present invention has the decks 1 and 1 a parallel to each other and parallel to a horizontal plane, with two wider, slightly spaced resting surfaces 1 b (the recommended spacing is 2 cm to 6 cm).

[0080] A further aspect still in favor of safety of the vehicle 50 of the present invention consists in the width of the resting surface 1 b of both decks 1 and 1 a which allows the presence of one driver alone, discouraging its use, simultaneously, by a second passenger, making it practically unfeasible.

[0081] Advantageously, approaching the two decks 1 and 1 a makes it possible to reduce the footprint of the vehicle 50 of the present invention.

[0082] The vehicle 50 of the present invention makes it possible to overcome the structural limitations of the previous models of scooters and to overcome the limitations related to footprint and riding rigidity.

[0083] Rigidity is overcome in the vehicle 50 of the present invention by virtue of the parallel position of the feet and the opposing motion along the same axis, which allows the decks 1 and 1a to tilt with alternating scissor-like movement.

[0084] Advantageously, the vehicle 50 allows improving safety aspects linked to mobility on vehicles of this type by further promoting their use and dissemination, conveying a feeling of increased safety to the user, already from the first moments of use of the vehicle. Even more advantageously, the vehicle 50 combines the riding agility of the two-wheel scooter with the stability of the three-wheel scooter, increasing comfort and safety.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electric propulsion vehicle (50) on wheels comprising:- a pole (24) having an upper end, to which a handlebar is connected, and a lower end, opposite to the upper end, to which a front wheel (11 ) is connected;- a first deck (1 ) and a second deck (1 a), each of which has a resting surface (1 b) intended to support a respective foot of the user; the first deck (1 ) and the second deck (1 a) each extend between a respective first end, connected to the pole (24), and a respective second end to which a respective rear wheel (10, 10a) is hinged;- connecting means (30) of the first deck (1 ) and the second deck (1 a) to the pole (24);- moving means (2) of the first deck (1 ) and the second deck (1a) relative to the pole (24) connected to the connecting means (30); characterized in that the resting surfaces (1 b) of both decks (1 , 1 a) are parallel to a horizontal plane (PO).

2. A vehicle (50) according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting means (30) comprise a sleeve (3) having an upper portion (23) for coupling to part of the pole (24) and a lower portion (3a) for housing at least part of the moving means (2).

3. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pole (24) has a portion inclined relative to its main direction of extension, near the lower end; the upper portion (23) of the sleeve (3) couples with the inclined portion of the pole (24).

4. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower portion (3a) of the sleeve (3) extendsprevalently along a direction parallel to a horizontal direction.

5. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (30) comprise a pair of arms (6, 6a), a first arm (6) and a second arm (6a), each connected to a respective first deck (1 ) and second deck (1 a) by means of respective coupling means (15); the moving means (2) are interposed between the first arm (6) and the second arm (6a) and the lower portion (3a) of the sleeve (3).

6. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims and claim 5, characterized in that the moving means (2) comprise a pin (9), rotating about a relative rotation axis (9x), housed in a respective seat of the lower portion (3a) of the sleeve (3); the arms (6, 6a) have a respective end (6b, 6c) connected to the pin (9) independently, so as to oscillate about the axis of the pin (9) independently of each other.

7. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims and claim 6, characterized in that the rotation axis (9x) of the pin (9) is parallel to the rotation axis (10x) of the rear wheels (10, 10a).

8. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the moving means (2) comprise a pair of tilting pins (7) having an axis (7x) each connected to a respective deck (1 , 1a).

9. A vehicle (50) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the moving means (2) comprise a pair of ball joints (22, 22a) having the axis (7x) of the tilting pin (7) as the oscillation axis; the arms (6, 6a) are connected to the respective ball joints (22, 22a) by means of a respective tilting pin (7).

10. A vehicle (50) according to the preceding claim and claim 7, characterized in that each ball joint (22, 22a) is connected to a respective arm (6, 6a) in a portion at a distance (D) from the rotation axis (9x) of the pin (9).

11. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a first oscillation movement about the rotation axis (9x) of the pin (9) and a second oscillation movement about the axis (7x) of the ball joints (22, 22a).

12. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear wheels (10, 10a) are offset towards the outside of the decks (1 , 1 a).

13. A vehicle (50) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decks (1 , 1 a) are provided with headlights (14, 14a), turn signals (13, 13a) and visual position indicating means (16, 16a).

14. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims and claim 10, characterized in that the rear wheels (10, 10a) are provided with a braking system (17, 17a), visual turn sign means (29, 29a) and visual braking means (28, 28a).

15. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a symmetry axis (1x) and the decks (1 , 1 a) are specular relative to the symmetry axis (1x).

16. A vehicle (50) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tilting pin (7) oscillates about the symmetry axis (1x).

17. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with three wheels, the front wheel (11 ) and the two rear wheels (10, 10a).

18. A vehicle (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an electric power source is housed in at least one deck (1 ).

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