EP1056634B1

EP1056634B1 - Transport system

Info

Publication number: EP1056634B1
Application number: EP99907965A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karel Frederik Drenth
Original assignee: Machinefabriek Brabant D van Opstal BV
Current assignee: Machinefabriek Brabant D van Opstal BV
Priority date: 1998-02-25
Filing date: 1999-02-25
Publication date: 2003-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-25
Also published as: EP1056634A1; NL1008415C2; AU2749499A; WO1999043529A1; DE69907638D1; ATE239633T1

Abstract

The transport system comprises at least one road surface (2) and at least one vehicle (4) on wheels (6). The road surface (2) has a substantially bowl-shaped cross section and the vehicle (4) is designed so that the wheels (6) run directly on the road surface (2) while the road surface (2) acts as a guide for the direction of movement of the vehicle (4) comprises at least one wheel set (14), wherein for each wheel (6) of the wheel set (14), the normal (16) of the contact face between the wheel (6) and the road surface (2) is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis (20) of the wheel (6).

Description

The invention relates to a transport system comprising at least one road surface and at least one vehicle on wheels, wherein the road surface has a substantially bowl-shaped cross section and the vehicle is designed so that the wheels run directly on the road surface while the road surface acts as guide for the direction of movement of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one wheel set, wherein for each wheel of the wheel set, the normal of the contact face between the wheel and the road surface is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel. Such a transport system is known from DE-OS-1580876. A disadvantage of this known system is that the vehicle can only be used in a tube having one predetermined diameter. The vehicle can not be used on a conventional flat road surface and on road surfaces having a bowl-shaped cross section with different radiuses respectively.

The invention also relates to a vehicle on wheels suitable for use in the transport system according to the invention , wherein the vehicle is designed so that the wheels run directly on a road surface with a substantially bowl-shaped cross section of the transport system while the road surface acts as guide for the direction of movement of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one wheel set, wherein for each wheel of the wheel set, the normal of the contact face between the wheel and the road surface is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel.

Furthermore transport systems are known, inter alia, for underground transport. For underground transport, the road surface is typically provided in a tunnel tube, with the road surface being of flat construction.
The vehicle in question, such as, for instance, a motorcar, is then suitable for travelling both inside and outside the tunnel tube.

A drawback of this known transport system is that for the control thereof, the vehicle is provided with a complex control mechanism. Typically, such control mechanism should be operated by a person. If this is not the case, the control mechanism will have to be of automatic design. This last is preferred, in particular for underground transport. After all, having to drive such vehicle in an endlessly long tunnel tube is not attractive. Moreover, this entails the risk of control errors being made, considering the little varying background of a tunnel tube. The possible provision of a guide in the tunnel tube for controlling the vehicle is disadvantageous from a logistic point of view.

In addition, the provision of a road surface in the tunnel tube involves considerable costs.

A further drawback is that the portion of the tunnel tube located below the flat road surface is not used for the transport through the tunnel tube. Further, having to work with a guide is disadvantageous at locations where transfer activities takes place.

The object of the invention is to overcome the above-outlined drawbacks, and the transport system according to the invention is characterized in that the wheel set comprises means for varying an angle enclosed between the rotation axes of the wheels of the wheel set, wherein said rotation axes lie in a rotation axis plane which, in use, is directed at least substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the road surface at the location of the vehicle.

The invention offers a number of advantages. In the first place, it applies that the vehicle can run in tunnels of mutually different diameters. In all cases, it can be guaranteed that for each wheel of the wheel set, the normal of the contact face between the wheel and the road surface is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel. It is also provided that the vehicle is suitable for driving both on a flat road surface and on the road surface having the bowl-shaped cross section. This contact face may be maintained unchanged by setting said enclosed angle accordingly.

As the vehicle is designed for running directly on the road surface having the bowl-shaped cross section, the vehicle need not be provided with a complex control mechanism and the vehicle can move (rapidly) along a track formed by the road surface, with or without bends, without the vehicle being actively steered by setting the direction of movement of the vehicle. When the course of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the road surface is disturbed for whatever reason, the vehicle will climb up along the bowl-shaped road surface. As a result, the center of gravity of the vehicle with respect to the road surface will rise at that location. Under the influence of gravity, the vehicle will move back again to the lowest point of the road surface. The course is then restored. In this manner, the road surface may also be provided with a bend. In the bend, the vehicle will climb up along the road surface, with the bend acting as a tub bend. After the bend, the vehicle will, under the influence of gravity, move to the lowest point of the road surface again. The above implies that with the transport system, for instance a bowl-shaped motorway may be constructed, driven on by motorcars that are only kept at a distance from each other by sensors. The motorcars need not be provided with a control mechanism.

In particular, the road surface is formed by the inner wall of at least one tunnel tube having a substantially round cross section. A particularly great advantage hereof is that no additional provisions are necessary in the tunnel tube. Indeed, no horizontal road surface needs to be constructed in the tunnel tube. Neither is it necessary to provide the tunnel tube with a mechanism that controls the vehicle. In the event of a disturbance of the linear course of the vehicle, a disturbance which is, for instance, caused by wind and/or a bend in the tunnel tube, the vehicle will temporarily move up along the inner wall of the tunnel tube. Gravity provides that the vehicle subsequently seeks again the lowest point of the tunnel section. A further advantage of the transport system is that no additional provisions to the tunnel itself are required. After all, it is not necessary to construct a flat road surface. Moreover, the volume of the tunnel tube is thus optimally utilized.

The transport system according to the invention also offers perspective for transport of passengers through tunnels, such as subway trains moving through tubes without rails.

In particular, the transport system further comprises a tunnel transition where the lower half of the tunnel tube gradually blends into a flat surface. Accordingly, the flat face is generally directed horizontally. The tunnel transition may then be located at an open end of the tunnel tube, with the flat face being located outside the tunnel tube. This enables the vehicle to drive into and out of the tunnel via the tunnel transition.

More in particular, it will apply that each of the wheels of the wheel set is connected to the vehicle for rotation about a setting axis through a limited angle, the setting axis being directed perpendicularly to said rotation axis plane.

In this respect, the vehicle may further comprise drive means for setting said angle. It is also possible that said setting axis is positioned below the rotation axis of the relevant wheel. It is thus provided that said angle will set itself, without any active control, such that for each wheel of the wheel set, the normal of the contact face between the wheel and the road surface is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel. Hence, when the vehicle moves into or out of the tunnel tube via a tunnel transition, said angle will set itself automatically and in such a manner that the normal of the contact face between the wheel and the road surface is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel.

The vehicle on wheels according to the invention is characterized in that the wheel set comprises means for varying an angle enclosed between the rotation axes of the wheels of the wheel set, wherein said rotation axes lie in a rotation axis plane which, in use, is directed at least substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the road surface at the location of the vehicle.

The invention will presently be specified on the basis of the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Fig. 1a shows a longitudinal section of a transport system known per se, taken on the line B-B of Fig. 1b;

Fig. 1b shows a cross section of the transport system according to Fig. 1a, taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1a;

Fig. 2a shows a cross section of a first embodiment of a transport system according to the invention, taken on the line B-B in Fig. 2b;

Fig. 2b shows a longitudinal section of the transport system according to Fig. 2a, taken on the line A-A in Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of both a transport system according to the prior art and a transport system according to the invention;

Fig. 4a is a top plan view of a vehicle according to the invention;

Fig. 4b is a front view of the vehicle according to Fig. 4a when located in a tunnel tube;

Fig. 4c is a front view of the vehicle according to Fig. 4a when located on a conventional road surface;

Fig. 5a is a side elevation of a wheel of a wheel set of a vehicle according to the invention;

Fig. 5b is a front view of the wheel according to Fig. 5a when located on a conventional road surface;

Fig. 5c is a front view of the wheel according to Fig. 5a when located in a tunnel tube;

Fig. 6a is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention;

Fig. 6b is a front view of the vehicle according to Fig. 6a when this vehicle is located in a tunnel tube;

Fig. 6c is a front view of the vehicle according to Fig. 6a when this vehicle is located on a conventional road surface; and

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a wheel of a vehicle according to the invention.

In Figs. 1a and 1b, reference numeral 1 denotes a transport system known per se. The transport system comprises a road surface 2 and at least one vehicle 4 on wheels 6. As can be seen in Fig. 1b, the road surface is provided on the inside of a tunnel tube 8. The consequence of this construction is that the space occupied by the road surface in the tunnel tube cannot be utilized for the transport of, for instance, goods. Further, the vehicle should have a control mechanism to provide that the vehicle keeps following the track of the tunnel tube. A further drawback of the known system is that the provision of the road surface in the tunnel tube entails considerable costs.

With reference to Figs. 2a and 2b, a first embodiment of the invention is shown schematically. The road surface 2 is formed by the inner wall 10 of the tunnel tube 8. In this example, the tunnel tube 8 has a substantially round cross section. Accordingly, the road surface has a substantially bowl-shaped cross section formed by the inner wall 10 of the tunnel tube 8. The undercarriage 12 of the vehicle 4 is arranged for running directly on the road surface 2.

In this example, the undercarriage 12 of the vehicle 4 according to Figs. 2a and 2b comprises two identical wheel sets 14. To each of the wheel sets, it applies that for each wheel 6 of the wheel set, the normal 16 of the contact face 18 between the wheel 6 and the road surface 2 is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis 20 of the wheel. This involves, inter alia, the normal 16 intersecting the center M of the tunnel tube.

Since the normal of the contact face between the wheel and the road surface is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel, the tread of the wheel is optimally utilized for discharging the weight of the vehicle onto the road surface 2 formed by the inner wall of the tunnel tube. In use, the road surface will also act as a guide for the vehicle.

In the ideal case, the vehicle will travel in the center of the tunnel, which means that the vehicle is located at the lowest point of the tunnel. When the vehicle leaves this ideal position, for instance because the tunnel tube makes a bend or because the linear movement of the vehicle is otherwise disturbed by, for instance, irregularities in the road surface and/or air flows in the tunnel tube, the vehicle will move up along the road surface. As a result, the mass center will likewise be moved up. Hence, any deviation from the ideal path through the tunnel tube involves the mass center of the vehicle being moved up. Gravity then causes the vehicle to move down again. In other words, the vehicle will resume its ideal position in the tunnel tube. Hence, this concerns a self-stabilizing system. In a bend, the vehicle will move up along the tunnel wall, as stated, with the road surface acting as a tub bend. After the bend, the vehicle finds its own way back to the lowest point in the tunnel. The advantage of this is that the vehicle need not be provided with an active control. In other words, the vehicle need not be controlled.

Moreover, since the vehicle runs directly on the inner wall of the tunnel, it is not necessary to provide the tunnel tube with a flat road surface, as discussed in relation to Figs. 1a and 1b. In addition to a cost reduction, the transport system according to the invention also involves an enlargement of the usable space of the tunnel tube. This enlargement of the tunnel tube becomes immediately apparent from Fig. 3.

On the right-hand side of Fig. 3, the conventional transport system according to Figs. 1a and 1b is shown. On the left-hand side of Fig. 3, an embodiment of the transport system according to the invention is shown. This directly demonstrates that the volume of the vehicle (hatched in Fig. 3) according to the invention can be larger than the volume of the vehicle of the conventional transport system.

In the embodiment of the transport system according to Figs. 4a-4c, each wheel is constructed as a double wheel. Hence, in this application, "wheel" should be understood to include the following: a single wheel and also a number of wheels that are positioned adjacent each other and rotatable about the same rotation axis.

In this example, the wheel sets 14 comprise two double wheels 6, 6'. In this context, the double wheels 6, 6' in fact form one wheel. Further, the wheel set comprises means 22 for varying an angle  enclosed between the rotation axes 20 of the wheels 6, 6'. The rotation axes 20 lie in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the tunnel tube at the location of the vehicle, in other words perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the road surface at the location of the vehicle. Hence, in this example, the rotation axes 20 lie in the plane of the drawing. The enclosed angle  mentioned is less than 180°. In this example, the means mentioned for varying the angle  are realized in that at least one wheel 6, 6' and in this case even both wheels 6, 6' of the wheel set are connected to the vehicle for rotation about a setting axis 24 over a limited angle. The setting axis 24 is directed perpendicularly to said plane. In other words, the setting axis 24 extends in the same direction as the axial axis of the tunnel tube. In this example, said setting axis is located below the rotation axis 20 of the relevant wheel 6, 6'. The above implies that the wheels of the vehicle automatically assume a rotational position around the setting axis 24 such that to these wheels, it applies that the normal of the contact face between the wheel and the road surface is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel. Hence, the vehicle according to Fig. 4 of the invention can be used in tunnel tubes of varying diameters. Moreover, the vehicle can also move on a conventional, flat road surface. This situation is shown in Fig. 4c. Under the influence of gravity, the wheels will automatically assume this position.

In particular, the transport system further comprises a tunnel transition 26 where a lower half of the tunnel tube gradually blends into a flat surface. This flat face may be directed horizontally. The tunnel transition will then typically be positioned at an open end of the tunnel tube, with the flat face located outside the tunnel tube. Consequently, via the tunnel transition, the vehicle can drive into and out of the tunnel in a simple manner. Also when the vehicle is out of the tunnel, it can move on as usual. Owing to this concept, the invention also offers perspectives for the transport of passengers through tunnels. In this respect, one may think of subway trains moving through tubes without rails at a great penetration power, as they can also run on a flat road.

The gradual tunnel transition 26 to a flat road surface 28 is shown in Fig. 4b. Here, the lower half of the tunnel tube gradually blends into a flat face formed by the flat road surface 28.

With reference to Figs. 5a-5c, a further elaboration is given of a wheel of a wheel set according to invention. One wheel 6 of the double wheel is driven by a hub motor 29. The other wheel 6' of the double wheel rotates along freely. The double wheel is accommodated in a support arm 30 capable of rotating by means of a turntable 32 around a steering axis 33 of a bearing part 34 of the vehicle. In this manner, the vehicle can be steered when running on a flat road. In this example, the setting axis 24 lies again below the rotation axis 20. Consequently, the wheel will automatically adopt the positions as shown in Figs. 5b and 5c respectively. However, it is also possible that the wheel set comprises drive means for setting the above-mentioned enclosed angle . For this, a servomotor capable of causing the wheels to rotate about the axes 24 may for instance be used. In Figs. 5b and 5c, this servomotor is schematically designated by reference numeral 36.

In the above-outlined embodiments, the vehicle comprises two wheel sets 14 which each have two wheels 6. Each wheel may be designed as a double wheel 6, 6'. However, it is also possible that the vehicle comprises one wheel set 14 having one pair of wheels 6, 6', as made clear with reference of Figs. 6a-6c. In addition, the vehicle further comprises a wheel 38 positioned approximately in the middle of the vehicle. In fact, this is a tricycle.

The operation of the vehicle is entirely analogous with the operation as described in the foregoing with reference to the Figures discussed earlier. The wheels 6, 6' of the wheel set 14 will adapt themselves to the curvature of the road surface. However, if the vertical stands horizontally on a flat road surface, as shown in Fig. 4c, the vehicle will in principle not lie entirely horizontally when located in the tunnel tube. In the situation as shown in Fig. 6b, the vehicle will slope downwards in a direction from the wheel set 14 towards the wheel 38. Of course, this can be compensated for by rendering the wheel 38 height-adjustable. Such variants are each understood to fall within the framework of the invention.

The invention is by no means limited to the embodiments outlined hereinabove. For instance, the vehicle according to the invention may be provided with more than two wheel sets. It is also conceivable that a wheel of a wheel set is composed of one or more double wheels 6, 6', 6'', 6''' having different yet closely spaced rotation axes, as shown in Fig. 7. In this application, the term "wheel" of a wheel set should therefore be given a broad interpretation. Also, instead of tunnel tubes, the transport system according to the invention could use motorways having a bowl-shaped road surface in cross section. In this respect, one may think of bowl-shaped motorways driven on by motorcars that are only kept at a distance from each other by sensors.

Such variants are each understood to fall within the framework of the invention.

Claims

A transport system comprising at least one road surface (2) and at least one vehicle (4) on wheels (6,6',6"), wherein the road surface (2) has a substantially bowl-shaped cross section and the vehicle (4) is designed so that the wheels (6,6',6") run directly on the road surface (2) while the road surface (2) acts as guide for the direction of movement of the vehicle (4), wherein the vehicle (4) comprises at least one wheel set (14), wherein for each wheel (6,6',6") of the wheel set (14), the normal of the contact face between the wheel (6,6',6") and the road surface (2) is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel (6,6',6"), characterized in that the wheel set (14) comprises means for varying an angle enclosed between the rotation axes (20) of the wheels (6,6',6") of the wheel set (14), wherein said rotation axes (20) lie in a rotation axis plane which, in use, is directed at least substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the road surface (2) at the location of the vehicle (4).
A transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the road surface (2) is formed by the inner wall (10) of at least one tunnel tube (8) having a substantially round cross section.
A transport system according to claim 2, characterized in that the transport system further comprises a tunnel transition (26), wherein a lower half of the tunnel tube (8) gradually blends into a flat face (28).
A transport system according to claim 3, characterized in that the flat face (28) is directed horizontally.
A transport system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the tunnel transition (26) is positioned at an open end of the tunnel tube (8), wherein the flat face (28) is located outside the tunnel tube(8).
A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said enclosed angle is greater than zero degrees.
A transport system according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one wheel (6,6',6") of the wheel set (14) is connected to the vehicle (4) for rotation about a setting axis (24) over a limited angle, wherein the setting axis (24) is directed perpendicularly to said rotation axis plane.
A transport system according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the wheels (6,6',6") of the wheel set (14) is connected to the vehicle (4) for rotation about a setting axis (24) over a limited angle, wherein the setting angle is directed perpendicularly to said rotation axis plane.
A transport system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said setting axis (24) is positioned below the rotation axis (20) of the relevant wheel (6,6',6").
A transport system according to any one of preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle (4) further comprises drive means for setting said angle.
A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each wheel (6,6',6") of said wheel set (14) is constructed as a double wheel (6,6').
A vehicle (4) on wheels (6,6',6") suitable for use on a road surface having a substantially bowl-shaped cross section wherein the vehicle (4) is designed so that the wheels (6,6',6") run directly on the road surface (2) while the road surface (2) acts as guide for the direction of movement of the vehicle (4), wherein the vehicle (4) comprises at least one wheel set (14), wherein for each wheel (6,6',6") of the wheel set (14), the normal of the contact face between the wheel (6,6',6") and the road surface (2) is directed perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the wheel (6,6',6"), characterized in that the wheel set (14) comprises means for varying an angle enclosed between the rotation axes (20) of the wheels (6,6',6") of the wheel set (14), wherein said rotation axes (20) lie in a rotation axis plane which, in use, is directed at least substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the road surface (2) at the location of the vehicle (4).