Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
  • B62K5/10—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
  • B62K5/02—Tricycles
  • B62K5/027—Motorcycles with three wheels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
  • B62K5/02—Tricycles
  • B62K5/05—Tricycles characterised by a single rear wheel

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a land vehicle with controlled inclination.
• the vehicles targeted are mainly tricycles that have a two-wheel axle connected to a vertical frame on which is fixed the third wheel.
• the axle may appear either at the front of the vehicle, in which case it is steering, or at the rear.
• Document GB 2 382 334 is also known, which proposes a tricycle comprising a tilting frame supporting a rear wheel, this frame being articulated in rotation on the steering front axle by means of a coupling member.
• This coupling member is constituted by a set of ball bearings disposed between a fixed ring fixed to the axle and a cylindrical sleeve integral with the frame.
• This coupling member has a zero angular mechanical impedance since the frame is completely free to rotate.
• the inclination of the frame is here controlled by a rudder type system operated by the driver's legs.
• the inclination is directly related to the position of the rudder.
• the total freedom of the rotational coupling member is undesirable since it can lead to undesired angular frame displacements which can sometimes even be detrimental to safety.
• the frame may be subject to oscillations around the inclination axis. These oscillations will be reflected by the driver on the handlebars, which will cause a change in the trajectory. The vehicle may then zigzag.
• the present invention thus relates to a vehicle that behaves intuitively, thereby providing good security, vehicle which also has a high stability.
• a vehicle provided with at least three wheels comprises - an axle at the ends of which are two wheels,
• this vehicle comprises an angular damping means. It is indeed desirable for the inclination of the frame to be slowed down by any means:
• the coupling member comprises an angular return means.
• At least one of the angular means is adjustable.
• the vehicle further comprises a connecting member for connecting the axle and the frame at distinct points, this connecting member having a non-zero linear mobility and mechanical impedance.
• the connecting member comprises a linear return means.
• the connecting member comprises a linear damping means.
• at least one of the linear means is adjustable.
• the coupling member being attached to a tilt tube forming an integral part of the frame, this tilt tube rests on at least one elastic stud fixed on the axle.
• the axle being disposed at the front, it is director.
• the driver feels more secure, he may even feel like driving a small car.
• the axle is disposed at the rear.
• the driver has the impression of driving a two-wheel drive.
• an additional axle is fixed on the frame. Having a four-wheeled vehicle can lead to greater safety.
• the vehicle comprises a propulsion mechanism intended to be driven by muscular energy.
• the vehicle comprises a motor.
• the propulsion is fully motorized.
• FIG. 1 a diagram of a tricycle viewed on the left side without the left rocket carrier or the left wheel
• FIG. 3 an enlarged view of a first variant of the steering mechanism, more specifically: FIG. 3a, a view from below of this system,
• FIG. 3b a side view of this same system
• FIG. 5a a view of a fixing lug
• FIG. 5b a view of this coupling member
• FIG. 5c a view of a mounting plate
• a tricycle essentially comprises a steering front axle 100, a tilting frame 200 and a coupling member 300 which allows rotation of the frame relative to the axle.
• the axle 100 is in the form of a rectangular frame 110 having a median cross-bar 120 connecting its two short sides. This crossbar which is parallel to the long side of the frame 110 is further aligned with the axis which joins the left front wheel 131 and the front right wheel 132. The left and right 133 knuckle carriers 134 are therefore fixed on the chassis 110 to right of the cross 120.
• the chassis extends towards the front of the tricycle, in its horizontal plane, by a support 140.
• This support 140 is provided at its end with a vertical fixing lug 141 on which the coupling member 300 is fixed.
• the frame 200 is similar to that of a bicycle. It comprises an upper horizontal tube 210 on which is fixed a seat or a saddle 211. This tube upper 210 is extended by a first oblique tube 220 and a first vertical tube 230 both facing downwards.
• a second oblique tube 240 connects the front end of the first oblique tube 220 and the base of the vertical tube 230.
• a third oblique tube 250 connects the base of the vertical tube 230 to the rear of the upper tube 210.
• the rear fork or base 260 on which is fixed the rear wheel 264 is anchored to the base of the vertical tube 230.
• the stays 265 connect the upper tube 210 to the base 260.
• the stays 265 may possibly be replaced by a suspension of the combined spring-damper type, in which case the anchoring of the base 260 on the rigid frame must allow the pivoting of this base.
• the steering tube 270 is arranged at the junction point of the first 220 and third 240 oblique tubes. It supports the steering column 271 at the top of which is disposed the handlebar 272 and at the base of which is fixed a distribution plate 273 on which are connected the steering rods left 274 and right 275.
• the steering mechanism is explained further .
• a substantially horizontal inclination tube 280 At the front of the steering tube 270 is fixed a substantially horizontal inclination tube 280, whose axis is in the plane of the frame 200.
• a mounting plate 281 is mounted at the front end of the inclination tube 280 to be fixed to the coupling member 300.
• This inclination tube 280 is additionally based on the axle 100 via a first 282 and a second 283 resilient blocks of the silentbloc type on which it is advantageously fixed although this fastener is not shown.
• the distribution plate 273 has a first section which is rigidly fixed to the base of the steering column 271 by means of a screw 285. It pivots in synchronism with this column.
• This first section is extended towards the rear by a second section which is substantially horizontal and this plate thus has an angle between its two sections which compensate for the angle made by the steering column 271 with the vertical. Nevertheless, if this plate were flattened, it would appear as an isosceles triangle whose base constitutes its rear flank. At the top that joins the two equal sides is the opening for the screw 185 and two other holes are formed at the other two peaks.
• the first orifice is provided with a first ball 286 on which is articulated the left steering rod 274.
• the second orifice is provided with a second ball 287 on which is articulated the right steering rod 275.
• the left link 274, respectively right 275 is also connected by a third 288, respectively a fourth 289 ball joint, the left rocket 133 respectively right 134, this so quite classic.
• This embodiment has the advantage of offering great mechanical simplicity. It allows to operate the rods 274, 275 by turning the handlebar 272 for maneuvering at low speed. It also allows to operate these links by tilting the frame 200 without using the handlebars 272 in the curves taken at higher speed. It still allows to operate these rods by turning the handlebars and tilting the frame simultaneously.
• the inclination tube 280 is hollow and it is similar to a cylinder of revolution along the axis of which is disposed a deflection axis 420.
• the steering tube 270 is somewhat modified since it incorporates a return of angle 410 or cardan-type constant velocity joint for transmitting the rotation of the steering column 271 to this deflection axis 420.
• the column 271 is held in the steering tube 270 by means of two ball bearings 411, 412. It is moreover blocked in translation by a system well known to those skilled in the art which is not shown so as not to overload the figure.
• the end of the deflection axis 420 opposite that which is joined to the bevel gear 410 is equipped with a matching member 440 which transmits the rotational movement to a conventional steering box 450.
• a toothed wheel secured to the deflection axis 420 which engages on a rack which is itself integral with the steering gearbox 450.
• FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c one embodiment preferential of the coupling member 300 is detailed.
• the fixing lug 141 has three holes 310 intended for its attachment to the support 140 integral with the axle 100. It also comprises a first 321, a second 322 and a third 323 orifices arranged at 120 ° by reference. in the center of the circle on which they appear.
• the fixing plate 281 which is mounted at the end of the inclination tube 280 has a fourth 324, a fifth 325 and a sixth 326 orifices arranged at 120 ° with reference to the center of the circle on which they appear, this circle having the same diameter as the circle on which appear the three orifices 321, 322, 323 of the fixing lug 141.
• the coupling member 300 is a resilient rubber member having two substantially parallel faces. It is here hollowed out at its center to increase its radial elasticity. It comprises successively a first 331, a second 332, a third 333, a fourth 334, a fifth 335 and a sixth 336 openings which open on each of the faces and whose axes are perpendicular to these same faces.
• coupling member 300 an elastic coupling marketed under the trademark JUBOFLEX by the company PAULSTRA domiciled 61 rue Marius Aufan, 92305 Levallois-Perret, France.
• the coupling member 300 is fixed to the fixing lug 141 by means of three bolts which pass through one, the first orifice 321 and the first opening 331, the second, the second orifice 322 and the third opening 333, and the third, the third port 323 and the fifth opening 335. Similarly, a fourth bolt through the fourth port 324 and the second opening 332, a fifth bolt through the fifth port 325 and the fourth opening 334, while a sixth bolt through the sixth hole 326 and the sixth opening 336.
• an elastic joint may consist of an inner tube and an outer tube, these two concentric tubes being connected by a ring of elastomer or other elastic material.
• the two elements to be coupled are secured one to the inner tube and the other to the outer tube.
• the coupling member opposes a relative resistance to the relative rotation of the two elements that it connects. Otherwise, said, this member must have a non-zero angular impedance.
• the impedance here is of the spring type, that is to say that it has a resistance to rotation whose amplitude is substantially proportional to the angular displacement.
• this coupling member may comprise, in addition to or instead of the spring, an angular damper. In this case, it presents a resistance to rotation whose amplitude is substantially proportional to the angular velocity.
• a left connecting member 352 is provided which is fixed by means of articulations (not shown) on the one hand at the periphery of the frame 110 of the axle 100 and on the other hand to a vertical stop 351 protruding from the inclination tube 280 at its upper part.
• This connecting member 352 which, unlike the coupling member 300 works in translation, has a mobility and a non-zero mechanical impedance. He also opposes the rotation of the inclination tube 280 about its longitudinal axis. It consists of a spring, a damper or a suspension module designed to perform both functions. Again, it is preferably adjustable.
• connecting member 353 symmetrically to the left member with reference to the plane.
• vertical which contains the longitudinal axis of the inclination tube 280.
• the vehicle presented so far is a tricycle with a steering axle.
• the person skilled in the art understands that the invention also applies to a tricycle provided with a single front steering wheel and a rear axle because the modifications to be made are minor: it is even a matter of simplification since the steering system is substantially simplified.
• the tilt tube is here arranged at the back of the frame instead of being at the front.
• the invention also applies to a four-wheeled vehicle having a tilting frame connected by a first coupling member to a steering front axle and a second coupling member to a rear axle.
• the propulsion system of the vehicle has not been detailed because it is not the heart of the invention. Indeed all known systems can easily adapt to this vehicle: - muscle propulsion using a chain connecting a pedal to a pinion,

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=39078768

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2007
  • 2007-07-09 FR FR0704938A patent/FR2918634B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2008
  • 2008-07-08 EP EP08828212A patent/EP2173606A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-07-08 WO PCT/FR2008/000990 patent/WO2009027597A1/fr active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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