DE19822461A1 - Vehicle tyre esp. for wheelchairs - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle tyre is mounted on a central hub and has two sections (5a,6a,7a and 5b,5c,6b,7b) so that the second section has a smaller diameter than the first section. Also claimed is a tyre with the first section constructed as an inflatable tyre which is bigger than the second section when inflated but smaller than the second section when not inflated. Also claimed is a vehicle fitted with such tyres.

Description

The present invention relates to a tire for a Vehicle and a vehicle which has such a Rei fen used. In particular, the present invention relates to a tire that is on a variety of road surfaces is operable and easily in a gutter or gully can be moved in and out where with a low rolling resistance or a low roll egg exercise exists when on an ordinary or normal len road surface is driven.

For example, the maximum speed of an elec tric wheelchairs for the elderly or disabled is limited to a set speed like they usually featured on sidewalks or sidewalks is written.

There are cases where there is a gutter on the side of the walkway on which there is an electric roll chair moves. Therefore, if the front or rear wheel is one electric wheelchairs in such a gutter advises it is very difficult to get the wheelchair out of this gutter to direct the stone out again. Especially for an older person So it can be very difficult or even impossible to move out of the gutter with your own physical strength gene.

Vehicles that are designed to run on uneven, san driving on roads are usually with so-called Balloon tires, which have a width that is suitable for driving on such surfaces. If however, a vehicle with balloon tires that are used for driving are suitable on uneven sandy surfaces the paved or cobbled street is the width the balloon tire in such a way that between the tire and  the road surface gives increased rolling resistance, which increases energy consumption and rolling noise are reinforced. Furthermore, balloon tires are used on ge paved or paved roadways due to the Rollwi the level increases. To avoid the above problems, it is necessary to use the balloon tires against "usual" tires replace the vehicle on "usual" lane to be able to move surfaces.

The object of the present invention is a tire for a motorized vehicle, for example an elec tric wheelchair, with which the vehicle pro easily from a gutter, gully or similar Roadway depression can be moved out. Still is It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle with an egg to create such a tire.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1 or 7 or 8, wherein advantageous developments of the invention the subject of respective subclaims are.

An essential feature of the present invention is that a tire is created for a motor vehicle fen, for example for an electric wheelchair or the like, which with reduced drive energy Creates the opportunity to use the vehicle on ordinary, that is, paved or paved road surfaces, as well as on uneven, e.g. B. sandy road surfaces move.

According to one aspect of the present invention therefore created a tire for a vehicle with one central hub section, a first tire section the hub portion, the first tire portion one has a first diameter, and a second tire section on the hub portion. The second section of tire has one  second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter is.

The first and second tires preferably define cut together an axial center, the one with term hub section adjacent to the second tire section beard is arranged the axial center.

Furthermore, a rolling resistance between the first tire section and the lane smaller than one Rolling resistance between the second section of tire and the Roadway.

The second tire section preferably has an axial one Width, which is greater than an axial width of the first Tire section is.

The second tire section is preferably made of metal a plurality of radially extending projections here, the first tire section being a pneumatic one Tire that is adjacent to the second tire section is ordered.

The second tire section is advantageously a solid section and the first tire section cut a pneumatic or pneumatic tire to the second Tire section is arranged adjacent.

According to another aspect of the present invention a tire is created for a vehicle, with a first tire section and a second tire section adjacent to the first tire section, the first row fen section an inflatable pneumatic tire with egg A diameter larger than a diameter of the second row fen section is in an inflated condition and where at the first tire section a diameter smaller than has the diameter of the second tire section when the  first tire section in an uninflated state is.

According to another aspect of the present invention a vehicle with a body, we at least one freely rotatable on the body Axle and a tire attached to the axle. The tire has a central hub portion and one first tire section on the hub section gela device. The first tire section has a first through knife and a second section of tire attached to the hub section is mounted, the second tire section has a second diameter that is smaller than that diameter.

The first and second tires preferably define cut together an axial center, the one with term hub section adjacent to the second tire section beard is arranged the axial center.

Furthermore, a rolling resistance between the first tire section and the lane smaller than one Rolling resistance between the second section of tire and the Roadway.

The second tire section preferably has an axial one Width, which is greater than an axial width of the first Tire section is.

The second tire section is preferably made of metal forms with a plurality of it, formed radially extending protrusions, the first tire portion being a pneumatic tire that is adjacent to the second row fen section is arranged.

The second tire section is advantageously a fixed one or solid tire section and the first tire section  pneumatic or pneumatic tire, which leads to the second tire cut is arranged adjacent.

An essential feature of the present invention is accordingly, that a tire for a motorized vehicle will create, for example for an electric roll chair or the like, the reduced drive gie creates the opportunity to both the ge ordinary, that is, tarred or paved driving web surfaces as well as on uneven, e.g. B. sandy driving to move web surfaces.

Because the two tire sections have different soil intervention behavior and different diameters, each of these sections provides the desired properties ten or the desired behavior in different Si tuations. For example, the pneumatic Rei with a smooth or soft roller engagement an essentially hard flat road surface. Of the Metal section of the tire allows easy engagement with white Chen surfaces, for example muddy or sandy Surfaces on which the pneumatic tire is not would be effective.

If the pneumatic tire section continues in an egg a gutter, gully or the like, me metallic portion of the tire still engaged with the surface of an adjacent lane where making it easy to drive out of the gutter.

If the pneumatic tire continues to be in sand or dig a similar deep ground and the Frictional contact and thus traction with the earth or the Loses sand, the metal section of the tire can look after as before, provide good engagement so that propulsion and so driving through sand or earth is possible.  

As the pneumatic tire continues to inflate or can be drained, it is possible to remove the metal section of the tire engaging or abutting a surface bring without any intervention or to position with the pneumatic tire is present, as this is deflated and the pneumatic tire is a smaller one Diameter as the diameter of the metal section of the Tire.

Although the pneumatic tire section on the Bo the surface rolls off when inflated, like described above when the pneumatic tire section in a gutter, gully or similar depression falls or device, or if the pneumatic tire section buried in sand or a similar soil, then the second tire or metallic tire section Contact with the road surface. The pneumatic Rei fen section can continue from a gutter, gully or The like can be extended because the second tire cut as it remains on the road surface, if the pneumatic tire section in the gutter or the same device and also allows the Roll Wider stood between the second tire and the road surface che a free rolling of the tire of a vehicle when the pneumatic tire section is in sand or one similar soil condition.

By adjusting the air volume and thus the air pressure in the pneumatic tire section Diameter of the first tire smaller than that of the second tire. Therefore, if the second row fen forms the rolling surface after the diameter of the first tire less than or equal to the diameter of the second tire can be made if the pneumatic Tire section in a gutter, gully or similar If the tire gets deepened or an obstacle comes out be driven out of this obstacle. It will continue  necessary, the turning angle of the tire on a driving to increase the level of the gutter or the like, to pull the pneumatic tire section out of the gutter remove so that the unusual condition is manageable in which both tires get into the gutter.

Further details, aspects and advantages of this Invention below result from the detail described in conjunction with the present invention look with the attached drawing, in the same reference Identify the same or corresponding parts and in the:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle in the form of a wheelchair or trolley, which is designed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the wheelchair of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a wheel of the wheelchair of Figs. 1 and 2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a cross section through the wheel of Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the wheelchair, showing how a wheel partially comes to rest in a gutter, the tire of the wheel being inflated; and

Figure 6 is a schematic view similar to that of Figure 5 with the tire of the wheel in an uninflated or deflated condition.

According to the present invention, a vehicle in the form of a wheelchair according to FIGS. 1 and 2 has at least one tire according to the invention. Here, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the wheelchair and Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.

The wheelchair 1 essentially comprises a main frame or a body 2 , a seat 3 , a steering handle or a steering device 4 , a front wheel 5 (tires of the vehicle), a left rear wheel 6 (tires of the vehicle) and a right rear wheel 7 ( Tire of the vehicle), a drive system (not shown in the drawing) within a drive system cover 8 and an instrument panel or control panel 20 .

The front portion of the body 2 is angled so that the driver's legs can rest comfortably on it. The seat 3 is attached to a rear or rear section of the body 2 . The steering handle 4 is arranged on the front portion of the body 2 via a bearing so that it is freely rotatable and its lower end is divided into two sections and the two ends of the axle, which support the front wheel 5 , are freely rotatable thereon.

Furthermore, an operating section 4 a at the upper section from the steering handle 4 is arranged, which he can grip and operate by the driver.

The front wheel 5 includes a front wheel rim 5 d, an air-filled or pneumatic tire 5 a (first tire) and fixed tire sections 5 b and 5 c (second tire), which are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the front wheel rim 5 d. The fixed tire sections 5 b and 5 c store or hold the pneumatic tire 5 a between them and each fixed tire section has a width greater than the width of the pneumatic tire 5 a. The pneumatic Rei fen 5 a can be inflated (expanded) or deflated (contracted) by adjusting the air pressure accordingly. In the inflated state, the diameter of the pneumatic tire 5 a is larger than the diameter of the fe most tire sections 5 b and 5 c and in the deflated or deflated state, the diameter of the pneumatic tire 5 a is smaller than the diameter of the fixed tire sections 5 b and 5 c. While driving on a usual road surface, the pneumatic tire 5 is typically in an inflated state and the tire 5 a is inflated to the extent that its diameter is larger than the diameter of the fixed tire sections 5 b and 5 c.

The left and right rear wheels 6 and 7 have a substantially same structure and therefore only the right rear wheel 7 will be described hereinafter. However, the description of the right rear wheel 7 applies equally to the left rear wheel 6 .

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the right rear wheel 7 and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the right rear wheel 7 . The right rear wheel 7 includes a rear wheel rim 7 c, an air-filled or pneumatic tire 7 a (first tire) and a solid or massive tire section 7 b (second tire), which are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the rear wheel rim 7 c.

The rear wheel rim 7 c is fastened by means of a bolt 11 to a hub 10 which runs at one end of a rear axle 9 .

The fixed tire portion 7 b is axially closer to the Na be 10 than the pneumatic tire 7 a and ei ne width S2 greater than a width S1 of the pneumatic tire 7 a. A plurality of lugs or projections 17 b is formed circumferentially on the outer peripheral surface of the fe most tire section 7 b. These projections 17 b serve to increase the rolling resistance (traction) of the fixed reef section 7 b.

Furthermore, the plurality of projections 17 b on the fixed tire section 7 b are arranged in radially extending rows and axially extending rows. Therefore, on the basis of the engagement by the projections 17 b, a lateral slipping of the fixed tire section 7 b is reduced when engaged with a road surface.

The pneumatic tire 7 a is inflated (expanded) and deflated (contracted) by adjusting the air pressure within the tire 7 a. In the inflated state, the diameter of the pneumatic tire 7 a is larger than the diameter (R2 × 2) of the fixed tire section 7 b and in the deflated state, the diameter of the pneumatic tire 7 a is smaller than the diameter (R2 x 2) of the fixed tire section 7 b. While driving on an ordinary roadway, the pneumatic tire 7 a is inflated or expanded by the air pressure and the diameter (R1 × 2) of the pneumatic tire 7 a is larger than the diameter (R2 × 2) of the fixed tire section 7 b. A plurality of profile recesses 17 a is formed along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the pneumatic tire 7 a. Due to the recesses 17 a, the ground contact area of the pneumatic tire 7 a is reduced with a normal paved or paved road. Since the pneumatic tire 7 a has a width S1, which is essentially no different than the width of the tire of a conventional wheelchair, such as the recesses 17 a, the rolling resistance corresponds essentially to the rolling resistance of a tire of a conventional wheelchair or is still less.

The drive system is located within the Antriebsssystemeab cover 8 , which is attached to the body 2 below the seat 3 . The drive system essentially comprises a battery, an adjustable speed motor, a reduction gear and the rear wheel axle 9 . The speed of the motor, which is powered by the battery as an energy supply, is reduced by the reduction gear and delivered to the rear wheel axle 9 in order to set it in rotation.

The instrument panel 20 is arranged centrally in the actuating section 4 a of the steering handle 4 . On the instrument panel 20 , a main switch, an operating switch for controlling the driving speed and direction (forward / backward), a brake switch, and other switches and indicator or warning lamps are arranged.

The operation or handling of the wheelchair 1 is described below.

The driver sits on the seat 3, and handles or directs the front wheel 5 by rotation of the operating portion 4 a of the steering handle 4, and sets the running speed by operation of the various switches on the instrument board 20 a.

The wheelchair 1 drives mainly or usually on sidewalks, it being possible that a gutter, gully or the like is present on the sidewalk of the citizen. Fig. 5 shows a rear view of the wheelchair, showing how the left rear wheel 6 of the wheelchair 1 , which is moving on a citizen climb 60 , is in such a gutter 61 gera th. As shown in the drawing, although the pneumatic tire 6 a has fallen or fallen into the gutter 61 , the fixed tire 6 b still has contact with the road surface, so that the entire left rear tire 6 is prevented from entering the gutter 61 devices.

In order to move the pneumatic tire 6 a out of the gutter 61 when the pneumatic tire 6 a has got into the gutter 61 , the front wheel 5 in the position shown in FIG. 5 is under force slightly to the right, so that the pneumatic tire 6 a over the corner or edge of the gutter 61 of the sidewalk 60 drives and thus the tire 6 a is brought back to the surface of the sidewalk 60 .

Usually, the wheelchair 1 can be moved back onto the sidewalk 60 as described above. However, there may also be a possibility that it is difficult to turn the front wheel 5 under force in Fig. 5 to the right and move it forward, for example because the sidewalk is very narrow or there is a similar reason. If this is the case, because of the difference in height (R1-R2) due to the diameter differences between the pneumatic tire 6 a and the fixed tire 6 b, the wheelchair cannot be easily moved out of the gutter 61 . In this case, air can be released from the pneumatic tire 6 a to bring the diameter of the pneumatic tire close to the diameter of the fixed tire 6 b, as shown in FIG. 6.

If the front wheel 5 is then carefully turned in order to simultaneously move the wheelchair forward and to the right in FIG. 6, the left wheel 6 slowly comes out of the gutter 61 . Furthermore, since the left wheel 6 is softly moved out of the gutter 61 , it is possible to limit the striking of the pneumatic tire 6 a with the edge between the gutter 61 and the sidewalk 60 , so that damage to the tire 6 a largely be avoided.

On the other hand, the wheelchair 1 moves according to the dargestell th embodiment on a normal road surface (a sidewalk or the like), the solid tire portions 5 b, 5 c, 6 b and 7b, which have a large width S2, and consequently large rolling resistance ha ben, not in contact with the road surface, but only the pneumatic tires 5 a, 6 a and 7 a with low rolling resistance are in contact with the road surface. Therefore, the energy consumption and smoothness compared to a conventional wheelchair are maintained.

The tires for the vehicle (front tire 5 , left rear tire 6 and right rear tire 7 ) according to the above embodiment can be attached to a vehicle which surfaces both on ordinary, i.e. solid road surfaces, and sandy or deep road surfaces.

Here, the fixed tire sections 5 b, 5 c, 6 b and 7 b have a higher or greater width for contact with the sandy road surface. If the pneumatic tires 5 a, 6 a and 7 a with a smaller width dig into a sandy or other deep road surface, the fixed tire sections are still engaged and ensure the maneuverability of the vehicle. In other words, the roadworthiness of the vehicle on, for example, sandy road surfaces is improved.

On the other hand, when driving on a normal, i.e. firm, road surface, the fixed tire sections 5 b, 5 c, 6 b and 7 b, which have the larger width S2 and greater rolling resistance, are not in contact with the road surface, since the pneumatic tires 5 a, 6 a and 7 a have a larger diameter. Furthermore, the pneumatic tires 5 a, 6 a and 7 a have lower rolling resistance when they come into contact with the road surface. Because of this, the energy consumption and the smoothness of the movement are maintained in comparison with a conventional wheelchair.

According to the present invention, since the tire for the Vehicle from at least two tire sections with under different diameters and different floors handle behavior, the vehicle can for example a wheelchair, easily from a gutter or a similar obstacle, whereby undesirable driving characteristics of the wheelchair both on ordinary road surfaces as well as uneven sandy Road surfaces are suppressed or eliminated.

In summary, a tire for a moto rized vehicle, such as a motorized Wheelchair, described. The tire has two sections, namely a pneumatic tire and a fixed tire section. The diameter of the fixed tire section is smaller than the diameter of the pneumatic tire. Of the Fixed tire section ensures stability when on a Many different surfaces, for example sand or other deep ground. Of the pneumatic tires ensure stability on level driving railway surfaces, sidewalk surfaces or the like.

Various details of the invention can be changed, without departing from the subject or scope of the invention. Furthermore, the above description of one embodiment tion form of the present invention as purely illustrative and not to be understood as restrictive.

Claims (13)

1. Tires for a vehicle with:
a central hub portion ( 10 );
a first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) which is arranged on the hub section ( 10 ), wherein the first tire section has a first diameter; and
a second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) which is arranged on the hub section ( 10 ), the second tire section having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. 2. Tire according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second tire sections together define an axial center, the central hub section ( 10 ) on the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) adjacent to the axial center is arranged. 3. Tire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a rolling resistance between the first Tire section and road surface smaller than one Rolling resistance between the second tire section and the lane is. 4. Tire according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) has an axial width which is greater than an axial width of the first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a). 5. Tire according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) is formed from metal with a plurality of radially extending projections ( 17 b) and wherein the first Tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) is a pneumatic tire which is arranged adjacent to the second tire section. 6. Tire according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) a fixed tire section and the first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) a pneumatic Tire is which is arranged adjacent to the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b). 7. Tires for a vehicle with:
a first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a);
a second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) adjacent to the first tire section, the first tire section being an inflatable pneumatic tire having a diameter which is larger than a diameter of the second tire section in an inflated state and wherein the first tire section has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the second tire section when the first tire section is in an uninflated state. 8. Vehicle with:
a body ( 2 );
at least one axle ( 9 ) freely rotatably mounted on the body ( 2 ); and
a tire ( 5 , 6 , 7 ), the tire comprising:
a central hub portion ( 10 );
a first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) which is mounted on the hub section ( 10 ), the first tire section having a first diameter; and
a second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) which is mounted on the hub section ( 10 ), the second tire section having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. 9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second tire sections together define an axial center, the central hub section ( 10 ) on the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) adjacent to the axial center is arranged. 10. Vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized characterized in that a rolling resistance between the first tire section and the lane smaller than one Rolling resistance between the second tire section and the lane is. 11. Vehicle according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) has an axial width which is greater than an axial width of the first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a). 12. Vehicle according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) is made of metal with a plurality of radially extending projections ( 17 b) and wherein the first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) is a pneumatic tire which is arranged adjacent to the second tire section. 13. Tire according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b) a fixed tire section and the first tire section ( 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) a pneumatic Tire is which is arranged adjacent to the second tire section ( 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 7 b).