EP1212233A2

EP1212233A2 - Device for stabilising a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a scooter, and two-wheeled vehicle equipped therewith

Info

Publication number: EP1212233A2
Application number: EP00960774A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcel Canetti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-02
Filing date: 2000-09-01
Publication date: 2002-06-12
Also published as: FR2798112A1; FR2798112B1; AU7296400A; WO2001015961A2; WO2001015961A3

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) for stabilising a two-wheeled vehicle such as a scooter, comprising retractable stands (2A, 2B) arranged on either side of said vehicle, members (5, 6) for controlling said stands between a first state wherein they are retracted, and a second state wherein they are in stabilising contact with the ground. The control members comprise a lever mechanism connected to the stands and accessible on the vehicle footrest such that said lever mechanism can be actuated by the rider's feet in riding position. A pressure exerted frontwards by at least one foot of the rider on said lever mechanism produces the first retracted state whereas a pressure exerted rearwards on said lever mechanism produces the second stabilising state.

Description

"Device for stabilizing a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a scooter, and two-wheeled vehicle thus equipped"

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a device for stabilizing a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a scooter. It also relates to a two-wheeled vehicle equipped with this stabilization device.

Current scooters are generally equipped with a central stabilizing stand in a vertical position, which can only be actuated when stationary, the driver of the scooter must be removed from the platform of his vehicle and must perform a maneuver combining a movement of movement of the scooter using his hands and a movement of positioning the center stand using his foot. However, this maneuver proves painful and sometimes delicate, because it is in fact at least partially lifting the scooter around the fulcrum of the center stand on the ground, this operation requiring the driver of the efforts that n 'is sometimes unable to provide in good conditions.

Several stabilization devices for motorcycles are already known, using electrical or hydraulic actuators controlling one or more retractable stands. The lowering and raising operations of the retractable stands are controlled either by the driver or automatically depending on driving parameters such as the speed of the vehicle.

Document FR1249598 thus discloses a device for stabilizing crutches for a moped comprising a rod movable in rotation in a bearing located in the axis of rotation of the rear wheel of the moped, this rod ending in two crutch arms provided at their ends with rollers and being controlled by a control system including a lever bar, two links and a foot control.

We also know, from document FR2735745 corresponding to French patent n ° 9507517 in the name of the present applicant, a stabilization device implementing a technique known as force feedback by which the driver feels the efforts reaction of the ground to which the crutches fitted with castors are actually subjected when they are in the low position. Thanks to the force feedback, the stabilization device can in a way measure and regulate the application forces of the crutches, which contributes to a significant increase in the comfort of use of this stabilization device. However, the stabilization devices proposed so far are complex to realize, because they use servo drives, controlled actuators, and relatively sophisticated control systems, which can lead to exorbitant costs, in particular for scooters of entry-level or mid-range.

The object of the invention is to remedy this drawback by proposing a stabilization device for a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a scooter, which provides the expected technical effects with simple and robust mechanical means. This objective is achieved with a device for stabilizing a two-wheeled vehicle such as a scooter, comprising:

- first and second retractable stand means arranged on either side of said vehicle, and each comprising a first and a second arm comprising at its end a caster,

- Means for controlling by at least one foot of the pilot said first and second crutch means between a first state in which said first and second crutch means are retracted, and a second state in which said first and second crutch means are in stabilization contact with the ground, said first and second arms being mechanically connected and movable relative to an axis of rotation linked to the chassis of the vehicle.

According to the invention, the control means comprise lever means integral with at least one of the arms above said axis of rotation, these lever means being accessible by at least one foot of the driver from the footrest of said vehicle and arranged so that a pressure exerted forwards by at least one foot of the pilot on these lever means leads to the first state of retraction while a pressure exerted towards the rear by at least one foot of said pilot on said lever means leads to the second stabilization state.

With the stabilization device according to the invention, the pilot has, through the pressure he exerts towards the rear on the lever (s) αe controls when the side stands are in the low position, a real force feedback which gives it a pleasant and reassuring feeling and represents a concrete solution to the problem of pilot control of the stability of his vehicle at low speed. Furthermore, the particularly simple structure of the stabilization device according to the invention constitutes a radical solution to the recurring problem of weight and cost encountered in all the technical solutions proposed previously and which has hitherto constituted a prohibitive obstacle to their development. In particular, the number of parts and members required to produce the stabilization device according to the invention is significantly reduced compared to the stabilization devices of the prior art.

It should be noted that the stabilization device according to the invention finds all its advantage in urban use with very short and repeated stops.

It should also be emphasized that, since the angle to be swept by the stand arms may be greater than 90 degrees, the stabilization device according to the invention advantageously provides automatic scanning of this angle from the high position to the low position and vice versa.

The angular scanning corresponding to the passage from the high position to the low position is carried out mainly by gravity, as soon as the pilot's feet cease to rest on the control means. There is then only a small pressure to exert to complete the angular scan.

From the low position to the high position, on restarting, the driver's foot (s) leave the control means and the advancement of the vehicle allows the two stand arms to travel in the other direction a significant part of the sweep angle which will ultimately be completed by placing the pilot's feet on the cruise control means.

In a first alternative embodiment, the lever means are connected at their ends by a control bar substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and actuable by the feet of the pilot, the stand arms being able to be connected mechanically or not by a piece axis of rotation or axial connecting bar. In a second variant embodiment, the two arms are arranged to be movable in rotation independently of one another around an axis of rotation linked to the chassis of the vehicle, and the first and second lever means are connected to their end to a common part acting as a torsion and bending bar. This variant embodiment provides differential control of the two crutches, the pilot being able to exert different pressure on each of the lever parts with each of his feet. The stand arms are then angularly offset. We can thus compensate for the transverse tilting effects of certain roadways.

In a third alternative embodiment, the first and second stand arms are mechanically connected by a part with an axis of rotation or an axial connecting bar movable angularly along the axis of rotation and a single right or left control lever is provided. extension of one of the stand arms.

Furthermore, the stand means can be arranged so as to temporarily lift the chassis of the vehicle and its driver when passing first and second stand means from one state to another.

Thus, with the stabilization device according to the invention, the pilot of a scooter can obtain the positioning of crutches at low speed until the stopping of his vehicle which is lifted momentarily, which consequently eliminates the maneuver. difficult to put on center stand which was until now essential. One can also provide a stabilization device according to the invention in which the control means comprise first means acting as a pedal to place and maintain the first and second stand means in the retracted position, and second means acting as a pedal to place and maintain said means first and second stand means in the stabilization position, these first and second pedal means being fixedly attached to an axis of rotation to which the first and second stand means are connected.

The respective arms of the first and second stand means may advantageously each include an elbow above the connecting axis, the arm parts located above said elbows being arranged to constitute lever control means actuable by the feet of the pilot. .

It is important to note that the length between the contact end of each arm and the connecting axis is preferably adjustable according to various operating parameters such as the weight of the pilot, so that when the arms are in a substantially vertical position, the scooter chassis is substantially raised relative to its equilibrium position in which the stand means are retracted. In addition, the respective lengths of the left stand arm and the right stand arm can be chosen different, for example with a right stand arm 5 mm longer than the left stand arm, to allow for a transverse tilt. roadways in traffic areas on the right. It goes without saying that in left-hand traffic regions, a left crutch arm will be chosen slightly longer than the right crutch arm.

It is also possible to provide the stabilization device according to the invention with first return means arranged between stand means and the chassis of the scooter so as to maintain said stand means in the retracted position after a retraction command exerted on the control means.

Similarly, it is possible to provide second return means arranged between stand means and the chassis of the scooter so as to maintain said stand means in the stabilization position, after a stabilization action exerted on the control means.

These first and second return means can for example be made in the form of a spring with two positions fixed between the chassis of the scooter and one and / or the other of the stand means.

A security option may include first means for locking the first and second stand means in the retracted position, as well as second means for locking the first and second means for stand in the low stabilization position, especially for "parking" mode.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a two-wheeled vehicle equipped with a stabilization device according to the invention, comprising a chassis or frame adapted to receive an axis of rotation of two first and second arms belonging respectively to two first and second retractable stand means arranged on either side of said vehicle. This two-wheeled vehicle further comprises lever means integral with at least one of the arms above the axis of rotation, these lever means being accessible by at least one foot of the driver from the footrest of said vehicle and arranged so that a pressure exerted forward by at least one foot of the pilot on these lever means leads to a state of retraction while a pressure exerted rearward by at least one foot of said pilot on said leverage means leads to a state of stabilization. When this vehicle is a moped provided with a fuel tank arranged along an element of the frame of this moped, provision may be made for a particular configuration in which the axis of rotation of the stand arms passes through this tank. If this axis is effectively materialized by a mechanical part with an axis of rotation, the reservoir must then have an appropriate structure and shape to allow the passage of this axis part. One can for example provide a particular shape of the tank arranged to bypass or wrap the part of the axis of rotation or axial connecting bar, or even a shape of tank completely surrounding or encircling the part of axis of rotation or axial connecting bar.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below. In the accompanying drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a scooter fitted with a stabilization device according to the invention, in three characteristic situations; - Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a stabilization device according to the invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a stabilization device according to the invention; FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of a stabilization device according to the invention; and FIG. 5 illustrates the variations in attitude of a scooter fitted with a stabilization device according to the invention, in a complete cycle of use.

We will first describe the basic structure and the operation of a stabilization device according to the invention, with reference to FIG. 1.

The stabilization device 1 installed on a scooter comprises on either side of the footrest of this scooter crutches 2 equipped with casters 3, mounted freely in rotation about an axis 4, and extended at their upper end by lever parts 5 connected by a control bar 6 extending, in the case of the scooter, above the footrest. In cruising mode (I), the pilot's feet are supported on the control bar 6 so that the crutches 2 are in the raised or retracted position.

In a deceleration situation (II), the pilot releases by lifting his feet the control bar 6, which causes the crutches to descend by a rotational movement around the axis 4 until the wheels 3 come into contact. with the ground. The pilot then exerts pressure with his feet on the control bar 6 in the stabilization position, which has the effect of slightly lifting the chassis of the scooter with respect to its cruise attitude. The eyelets can temporarily move to the vertical position and then exceed this vertical position to reach a stop position (III).

We will now describe a first embodiment of a stabilization device, with reference to Figure 2. The stabilization device 1 comprises two crutches 2A, 2B parallel provided at their lower ends with rollers 3A, 3B. These two crutches, made for example from tubes, dishes or profiles of alloy or steel, are connected on the one hand to an axial connecting bar 8 inserted for example in a support tube 7 secured to the chassis or the rest -foot of the scooter, and on the other hand to a control bar 6 by lever parts 5A, 5B bent relative to the main parts αes crutches 2A, 2B. The lever parts and the control bar can be produced from a single tubular part. The rigid mechanical structure constituted by the two crutches 2A, 2B, the axial connecting bar 8 and the control bar 6 is movable in rotation about the axis 4.

In a second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the angled lever parts 5A, 5B of the stabilization device 10 are not connected integrally by a control bar, but comprise connecting parts 50A, 50B in sliding connection with a bar torsion 12. The lever arms 2A, 2B are arranged to be movable in rotation independently of one another about an axis of rotation 9 secured to the chassis of the scooter. This particular arrangement allows independent action on each of the crutches, in particular for taking account of irregularities in the ground.

In a third alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a single lever part 5C of the stabilization device 100 is provided as an extension of a stand arm 2B securely connected to the other stand arm 2A by a piece of axle rotation or axial connecting bar 8 movable in a connecting tube 7 fixed to the chassis. The force exerted by the pilot's foot on the lever part 5C is transmitted directly to the crutch arm thus extended and indirectly to the other crutch arm via the part of the axis of rotation or axial link bar .

An important characteristic of the stabilization device according to the invention lies in the fact that its implementation has the effect of occasionally lifting the chassis of the scooter from its normal position of use. These situations of occasional lifting on the one hand allow to place a scooter on αes crutches much less effort than what is currently required from a pilot wishing to place his scooter on a center stand, and on the other hand provide the pilot with a real feeling of comfort at low speed before stopping and when stopping when he no longer has to put your feet on the ground to keep your balance.

When the scooter is stopped in the absence of the driver, safety brake activated, the chassis is in the high stabilized position Hs, with reference to Figure 5, with crutches in the low position which can also be slightly inclined forward. A mechanism for locking the crutches in the stabilization position can optionally be activated.

Installing the pilot on the scooter seat has the effect of slightly lowering the trim of the scooter.

The scooter starts and the increase in its speed, combined with the friction of the surfaces of the rollers on the ground, has the effect of causing the crutches to rotate around the connecting axis and in particular the ironing of the crutches by the vertical position, this which has the effect of slightly lifting the chassis of the scooter and its passenger in a high attitude Hs.

The tilting of the crutches then takes place and the pilot exerts by the sole weight of these feet a pressure forward on the control bar so that the crutches are completely retracted. The scooter trim Bc is at this stage minimal, due to the weight of the pilot who is fully supported without assistance from the crutches. During the deceleration and deceleration phase, the pilot releases the control bar, which makes it possible to lower the crutches by gravity, to enter contact of the rollers with the ground and tilting of the stabilization device.

A pressure exerted backwards by the feet of the pilot on the control bar then causes the lifting of the chassis of the scooter with its passenger

(high attitude Hs) when the crutches pass into a vertical position, then in an inclined position corresponding to a low attitude Bs, to a stop position with return to the stabilized high attitude Hs.

It should be noted that in the "parking" stop position with the crutches in the low position and one of the scooter wheels locked, only one of the two casters is at any given time in contact with the ground, which however does not affect the overall stability of the scooter.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. The stabilization device according to the invention can either be fitted to new scooters, or be installed on existing scooters.

Claims

1. Device (1) for stabilizing a two-wheeled vehicle such as a scooter, comprising: - first and second retractable stand means (2, 2A, 2B) arranged on either side of said vehicle, and each comprising first and second arms (2A, 2B) comprising at its end a caster (3A, 3B), - means (5, 6) for controlling said first and second stand means by at least one foot of the pilot

(2, 2A, 2B) between a first state in which said first and second stand means (2, 2A, 2B) are retracted, and a second state in which said first and second stand means (2, 2A, 2B) are in stabilization contact with the ground, said first and second arms being mechanically connected and movable relative to an axis of rotation linked to the chassis of said vehicle, characterized in that the control means comprise lever means integral with at least one of said arms above said axis of rotation, these lever means being accessible by at least one foot of the driver from the footrest of said vehicle and arranged so that a pressure exerted forward by at least one foot of the driver on these lever means leads to the first retraction state while a pressure exerted towards the rear by at least one foot of said pilot on said lever means leads to the second stabilization state.

2. Stabilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever means are connected at their ends by a control bar (6) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (8) and actuable by the feet of the pilot.

3. A stabilizing device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second stand arm are connected by a mecha ⁿ ically piece axis rotation angula_rement movable along the axis of rotation.

4. Stabilization device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two arms (2A, 2B) are arranged to be movable in rotation independently of one another around an axis of rotation (9) linked to the chassis of the vehicle, and in that the first and second lever means are connected at their end to a common part (12) acting as a torsion and bending bar.

5. Stabilization device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single lever part (5C) secured to a crutch arm (2B) connected to the other crutch arm (2A) by an axial connecting bar (8).

6. Stabilization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stand means (2, 2A, 2B) are further arranged so as to temporarily raise the chassis of the vehicle and its driver during passage first and second stand means (2, 2A, 2B) from one state to another.

7. Stabilization device (1, 10, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the arms (2A, 2B) of said first and second stand means has a bend above the axis of rotation (4), the arm parts (5A, 5B, 5C) located above said elbows being arranged to constitute lever control means actuable by the feet of the pilot.

8. Stabilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means include first pedal means for placing and holding the first and second stand means in the retracted position, and second pedal means for placing and maintaining said means first and second stand means in the stabilization position, said first and second pedal means being securely connected to an axis of rotation to which the first and second stand means are connected.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length between the contact end of each arm and the connecting axis is adjustable as a function of parameters such as the weight of the pilot, so that, when the arms are in a substantially vertical position, the chassis of the scooter is substantially raised relative to its equilibrium position in which the stand means are retracted.

10. Stabilization device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective lengths of the first and second stand means are significantly different.

11. Stabilization device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises first return means disposed between stand means and the chassis of the scooter so as to maintain said stand means in the retracted position , after a retraction command exerted on the control means.

12. Stabilization device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises second return means arranged between stand means and the chassis of the vehicle so as to maintain said stand means in the position of stabilization, after a stabilization action exerted on the control means.

13. Stabilization device according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the first and second return means are produced by a spring in two positions fixed between the chassis of the vehicle and one and / or the other of the means of crutch.

14. Stabilization device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises first means for locking the first and second stand means in the retracted position.

15. Stabilization device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises second means for locking the first and second stand means in the low stabilization position.

16. Stabilization device according to any one of the preceding claims, implemented on a moped provided with a fuel tank fixed to the frame of said moped, characterized in that the axis of rotation passes through said tank.

17. Two-wheeled vehicle equipped with a stabilization device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a chassis or frame adapted to receive an axis of rotation of two first and second arms belonging respectively to two first and second stand means retractable arranged on either side of said vehicle, characterized in that it further comprises lever means integral with at least one of said arms above said axis of rotation, these lever means being accessible by at least one foot of the driver from the footrest of said vehicle and arranged so that a pressure exerted forward by at least one foot of the driver on these lever means leads to a state of retraction while a pressure exerted towards the rearward by at least one foot of said pilot on said lever means leads to a stabilization state.

18. Vehicle according to claim 17, of the moped type equipped with a stabilization device according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a fuel tank having a structure and a shape suitable for allowing the passage of the axis of rotation of the arms through said tank.