EP3344482A1

EP3344482A1 - Auxiliary device for moving a land vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP3344482A1
Application number: EP16778878.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giovanni PETTINATO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-01
Filing date: 2016-08-31
Publication date: 2018-07-11
Also published as: WO2017037635A1; ITUB20153335A1

Abstract

An auxiliary device (1) for moving a land vehicle (50) is provided, comprising primary means of locomotion (51) suitable to move the vehicle in a longitudinal direction (1a) and primary wheels (52) in contact with the ground to move the land vehicle (50), the auxiliary device (1) preferably comprising secondary means of locomotion (2) suitable to move the vehicle in a transversal direction (1b) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (1a), lifting means (3) suitable to distance said primary wheels (52) from the ground, movement means (4) of the secondary means of locomotion (2) suitable to position the secondary means of locomotion (2) in a retracted position, in which they are distant from the ground, and in an operational position, in which the secondary means of locomotion (2) are in contact with the ground and are able to move the land vehicle (50) in the transversal direction (1b).

Description

DESC RI PTION

AUXILIARY DEVICE FOR MOVING A LAND VEHICLE

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for moving a land vehicle of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

Various types of land vehicles, such as cars, trucks and the like are currently known of.

Similar devices are described in the patent applications DE-U-9319679, US-A- 2010/155165, US-A-1890716, GB-A-2175553 and US-A-4998595. However, such devices are very cumbersome and not applicable to the vehicles present on the market. They also have very complex and impractical movements.

It is also known that land vehicles, in particular in urban areas, have problems of stopping and positioning in parking areas.

Said parking areas, in fact, are often positioned at the edge of roads and carriageways and provide that vehicles are parked with their longitudinal axis parallel to the main direction of the carriageway.

The positioning of the vehicle as mentioned above is problematic, especially when the parking area is surrounded by obstacles, such as other vehicles in adjacent park spaces.

Said situation is very frequent in urban centres.

To remedy this disadvantage vehicles have been designed which allow automated parking in said parking areas.

Said automatic parking system called "APS" (Automatic Parking System) uses the standards means of locomotion, wheels and steering system, the cameras and distance sensors to correctly park the vehicle automatically without interference from the driver, except for action on the accelerator and brakes, so as to prevent errors and inaccuracies by the same.

The prior art described has several significant drawbacks.

In particular, said automatic parking system requires considerable space to perform the parking operation. In particular it requires much more space than the length of the vehicle to be parked.

Furthermore, said parking systems comprise very complex and sophisticated devices and electronics.

Lastly, the considerable time taken by existing systems to perform parking is a significant drawback.

In this situation the technical purpose of the present invention is to devise an auxiliary device for moving a land vehicle able to substantially overcome the drawbacks mentioned above.

Within the sphere of said technical purpose one important aim of the invention is to obtain an auxiliary device for moving a land vehicle which allows parking in a very restricted space and with the vehicle positioned so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the prevailing direction of the carriageway.

Another important purpose of the invention is to provide an auxiliary device for moving a land vehicle which is simple, sturdy and economical.

The technical purpose and specified aims are achieved as claimed in the appended claim 1 .

Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clearly evident from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the auxiliary device, according to the invention, mounted on a land vehicle;

Fig. 1 shows a portion of the device according to the invention in a first configuration;

Fig. 2b is the portion of Fig. 2a in a second configuration;

Fig. 2b is the portion of Fig, 2a in a third configuration;

Fig. 3a shows a land vehicle including the device according to the invention in a first operating phase;

Fig. 3b shows a land vehicle including the device according to the invention in a second operating phase;

Fig. 3c shows a land vehicle including the device according to the invention in a third operating phase;

Fig. 4 shows a land vehicle including the device according to the invention in a view from above;

Fig. 5 is the control system of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 6a shows a first portion of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 6b shows the view VI-VI indicated in Fig. 6a; and

Fig. 6c shows a portion of the device according to the invention.

With reference to the Drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes the auxiliary device according to the invention.

!t is suitable to be applied, as an aftermarket module or in the production phase, to land vehicles 50 such as cars or commercial vehicles up to 35 tons in particular. The land vehicle 50 generally comprises primary means of locomotion 51 , such as primary wheels 52 and internal combustion engine or the like. Said primary means of locomotion 51 are able to move the land vehicle 50 in a longitudinal direction 1a, perpendicular to a transverse direction 1 b and both perpendicular to a vertical direction 1c. Furthermore, the primary wheels 52 are in contact with the ground to move said land vehicle 50.

The auxiliary device 1 comprises, briefly, secondary means of locomotion 2 able to move the land vehicle 50 in the transverse direction 1 b, lifting means 3 able to distance the primary wheels 52 from the ground, and movement means 4 of the secondary means of locomotion 2.

The secondary means of locomotion 2 preferably comprise secondary wheels 20, rotatable around a shaft 20a and electric motors 21 for the secondary wheels 20, preferably one for each secondary wheel 20. Preferably there is a secondary wheel 20 for each primary wheel 52 and therefore preferably four secondary wheels 20. These are suitably placed in the vicinity of the primary wheels, in particular in positions where the jack for lifting the vehicle from the ground is usually placed. The secondary wheels 20 are also preferably of the solid type and have a diameter preferably in the order of magnitude of decimetres.

The secondary means of locomotion 2 also preferably comprise, disengageable connections 22, preferably of the conical type, between the electric motors 21 , or rather between a shaft 21a moved by the electric motor 21 and the secondary wheels 20.

Each disengageable connection 22 is suitably to appropriately engage a single electric motor 21 with a single secondary wheel 20, when the secondary means of locomotion 2 are in the operating position (Fig. 2c) and to disengage the electric motors 21 of the secondary wheels 20 when the secondary means of locomotion 2 are in the retracted position (Fig. 2a).

The disengageable connection 22 preferably comprises actuator means, suitable to make or undo automatically the said connection and preferably including the shaft 21 a of the electric motor 21 equipped with a telescopic portion.

Said disengageabie connection 22 is preferably of the self-centering type. It is in fact composed of a conical coupling 22a, preferably integral with the shaft 21 a, and a seat having a conical cavity 22b. The coupling 22a and the cavity 22b are also of the toothed type in order to allow a fixed coupling in the direction of rotation of the shaft 21 a. An example of such a connection 22 is illustrated in Fig. 8a. In addition, preferably, the coupling 22a and the seat 22b comprise teeth initially pointed and diverging outwards and helical so as to facilitate the coupling of the connection 22. This latter type of tooth, which obviously must be made ail over the connection, is shown in Fig. 6c.

The disengageabie connection 22 also preferably comprises degrees of freedom in the vertical, transverse directions, i.e. perpendicular to the wheel axis and the vertical axis, and axial. Said degrees of freedom allow a perfect coupling of the coupling 22a and of the cavity 22b even when these are not perfectly aligned. Just a few degrees or millimetres of degrees of freedom are therefore sufficient. Said degrees of freedom can be simply conferred by the same electric motor 21 , which in general may allow, in particular when not active, small angular offsets between the motor and the stator and small axial rotations. For example such deviations are permitted by a permanent magnet motor or also by other types of electric motors.

The movement means 4 of said secondary means of locomotion 2 are suitable to position said secondary means of locomotion 2 in a retracted position, in which they are distant from the ground and in an operational position, in which said secondary means of locomotion 2 are in contact with the ground and are able to move said land vehicle 50 in said transversal direction 1 b. !n particular the movement means 4 comprise vertical translation devices 40 able to vertically move the secondary wheels 20, and preferably also the electric motors 21 to lower them in contact with the ground in the operating position and lift them at a distance in the retracted position.

In addition, preferably, the movement means 4 are able to lift said land vehicle 50 from the ground and consequently coincide with the lifting means 3.

Said lifting means 3 further comprise locking means of the suspensions of said primary wheels 52. Such locking means are preferably of the electronic type, and are suitable to interact with the control means, usually electronic or electromechanical, of the vehicle 50 and its suspensions. Alternatively the locking means are of the mechanical type and block, for example, the elongation of the springs that constitute the suspensions or the like by blocking the coils of the springs. Said blocking of the coils of the springs may be of the mechanical type, for example, by a steel retainer which slides between the coils of the springs, or electronic for vehicles with more sophisticated suspensions.

The vertical translation devices 40 comprise fluid-dynamic pistons 41 , preferably hydraulic or oleodynamic, activated by a single circuit and a single fluid-dynamic pump. Said circuit and the pump can be housed in the engine compartment or in the boot and connected by flexible hoses or similar fluid through connections known per se.

The movement means 4 are also preferably able to rotate the shaft 20a around a secondary axis 4a perpendicular to the axis of rotation 20a, to limit the overall dimensions of the secondary wheels 20 in the rest position.

More in detail, there are preferably two fluid-dynamic pistons 41 for each secondary wheel 20 which support the shaft 20a to the right and the left of the wheel 20. !n particular, a first fluid-dynamic piston 41a comprises at least one articulation 42 suitable to allow the rotation around the secondary axis 4a of the shaft 20a. The articulation 42 is also coupled to actuation means of the rotation of the shaft, such as elastic means or electric motors. In a preferred solution, the actuator means of the rotation consist of a casing, which covers the upper portion of the wheel and which is preferably secured to the piston 41 a, and by means of constraint with the chassis of the car which keeps the casing close to the chassis and thus allows the shaft to rotate.

The second fluid-dynamic piston 41 b instead comprises hooking means 41c with the portion of shaft 20a of the secondary wheel 20 opposite the articulation 42, It is suitable to hook the shaft with a rotatable connection, so as to allow the rotation of the wheel 20 itself.

Said coupling means 41 c preferably consist of a portion of a circumferential sector in low-friction material, such as a portion of a bushing or similar. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 6b, the axis portion of the wheel 20 may comprise a rotational bearing 41 e suitable to allow the outer portion of said axis of the wheel 20 to be coupled in a fixed manner with the hooking means 41 c. The rotational bearing 41 e is preferably of the type with internal needle rollers (Fig. 8b). It may also be arranged at the conical cavity 22b and outside the same.

Moreover, the hooking means 41 c and the articulation 42 can give the disengageabie connection 22 further degrees of angular freedom, allowing small rotations of the axis of the wheel 20 and consequently of the seat 22b.

There is also suitably a third fluid-dynamic piston 41 d suitable to move the electric motors 21 in parallel to the secondary wheels 20.

Lastly, each auxiliary wheel 20 and electric motor 21 is preferably contained in a casing 6 of the type which can be opened in the contracted position, so as not to be exposed to dust and dirt. The casing is made from durable and lightweight material (aluminium, magnesium etc.) so as to constitute a structural reinforcement to the chassis of the vehicle in the event that it were necessary, in particular for the aftermarket, to modify said chassis to accommodate the device. The auxiliary device 1 lastly comprises sensors 5 for automatically setting the distance from external obstacles during parking. Said sensors 5 preferably consists of cameras arranged in correspondence with the mirrors of the vehicle 50 and may also comprise distance sensors arranged for instance in correspondence with the bumper or the like.

The sensors 5 are lastly connected with the electronics of the vehicle 50, if necessary supported by auxiliary electronics.

The functioning of the auxiliary device 1 , described above in structural terms, is as follows.

The vehicle 50, such as a car, is in a situation in which it must pull off the carriageway and must perform the so-called parking operation.

The parking space is found by the driver of the vehicle or automatically by a satellite system.

The vehicle 50 is positioned in the vicinity of a parking area and the device 1 is activated.

The electronics of the vehicle 50, thanks to the sensors 5, identify the correct position and stop the vehicle alongside the parking area.

The device 1 is therefore in the retracted position, illustrated in Fig. 2a.

The device 1 is activated and opens the casings 6. The lifting means 3, coinciding with the movement means 4, are activated. In detail the first fluid-dynamic pistons 41 a are elongated and the secondary wheels are lowered and rotated around the secondary axis 4a by means of the articulations 42 and the rotation actuator means. (Fig. 2b)

!n the meantime, the second fluid-dynamic pistons 41 b are activated and are hooked, by the hooking means, to the shaft portion 20a of the secondary wheel 20 opposite the articulation 42 (Fig. 2b). The auxiliary wheels 20 are thus free to rotate and are arranged with the axis of rotation 1 b in the transverse direction. The third fluid-dynamic pistons 41 d, preferably together with the first and second fluid-dynamic pistons 41 a and 41 b, descend and bring the electric motor 21 to the level of the matching secondary wheel 20, in such a way that the shaft 21 of the electric motor 21 a is aligned along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 a, to the shaft 20a of the matching secondary wheel 20.

In this position, the disengageabie connection 22 is engaged, by the conical coupling, to the wheel 20 following the telescopic type advancement of the shaft 21 a (Fig. 2c).

In this position moreover, the fiuid-dynamic pistons 41 , in particular the first 41 a and second 41 b, have raised the vehicle 50 from the ground, while the suspension locking means have locked the latter in the raised position, preventing them from elongating and returning in contact with the ground. Alternatively, different lifting means 3 have raised the wheels in contrast to the suspensions.

The secondary means of locomotion 2 are in the operating position (Fig. 2c) and are thus suitable to move the land vehicle 50 in the transverse direction. They can insert the vehicle 50 in the parking lot or space, for example at the edge of the carriageway.

In particular the electric motors 21 move the secondary wheels 20 in rotation around their axes 20a.

Once the positioning is complete the fluid-dynamic pistons 41 retract into the casing 6 together with the secondary wheels 20 and the electric motors 21 , possibly at this stage the rotation around the articulation 42 also occurs. The casing 6 is then closed again.

In these conditions (Fig. 2a), the primary wheels 52 support the vehicle 50 entirely and the device 1 is again in the contracted position and does not hinder normal movement of the vehicle 1.

The auxiliary device 1 can be used again to leave the parking space or on yet other occasions, for example to replace the main wheels, for example in case of puncture or summer-winter changeover.

The entire operation is preferably achieved by means of control means 30 placed inside the vehicle and electricity taken from the vehicle's electric battery 50. Alternatively, the operation may be controlled by remote control.

The control means, in a preferred solution, consist of five buttons: three central, i.e.: start parking search 31 / lift vehicle 32 / stop 33.

Specifically, the button that starts the search for the parking space 31 , using satellite sensors and devices, cause the vehicle to proceed at a pre-set speed suitable for scanning, automatically activates the double indicators or hazard lights, and stops the vehicle in the right position. Obviously, in case of need, the driver can disable the system by braking or accelerating, then proceeding with a new activation.

The central vehicle lifting button 32 controls lifting only, used for tyre changes. The stop button 33 commands the stopping of the vehicle during its translation in case of need, The two side buttons 34 and 35 are activated once the space is found depending on whether the translation is to take place to the right or left. By pressing the button an acoustic device, similar to the forklift handling signal, and two lighting devices, a LED bar that reproduces the movement: from right to left or vice versa depending on the direction of translation and possibly also signalling "P "placed inside the top of the rear window, are immediately actuated.

Ail the procedures preferably take place with the engine running, doors locked and windows up.

The auxiliary device 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages. In fact, it is suitable for performing a movement of the land vehicle 50 in the transverse direction, and thus parking in a very narrow space with the vehicle positioned so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the prevailing direction of the carriageway.

Furthermore, the auxiliary device 1 is simple, sturdy and economical.

Variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the inventive concept defined in the claims.

In said sphere all the details may be replaced with equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions may be as desired.

Claims

C LA ! !Vt S

1. Auxiliary device (1 ) for moving a land vehicle (50),

said land vehicle (50) comprising primary means of locomotion (51 ) suitable to move the vehicle in a longitudinal direction (1 a) and comprising primary wheels (52) in contact with the ground to move said land vehicle (50),

said auxiliary device (1 ) comprising:

- - secondary means of locomotion (2), comprising secondary wheels (20) and electric motors (21 ) for said secondary wheels (20), suitable to move said vehicle in a transversal direction (1 b) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (1 a),

- - lifting means (3) suitable to distance said primary wheels (52) from the ground,

- - movement means (4) of said secondary means of locomotion (2) suitable to position said secondary means of locomotion (2) in a retracted position, in which they are distant from the ground, and in an operational position, in which said secondary means of locomotion (2) are in contact with the ground and are able to move said land vehicle (50) in said transversal direction (1 b),

- said auxiliary device (1 ) being characterised in that said secondary means of locomotion (2) comprise a disengageabie connection (22) between said electric motors (21 ) and said secondary wheels (20), said disengageabie connection (22) being suitable to engage said electric motors (21 ) with said secondary wheels (20) when said secondary means of locomotion (2) are in the operating position and to disengage said electric motors (21 ) from said secondary wheels (20) when said secondary means of locomotion (2) are in the retracted position.

2, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said disengageable connection (22) comprises a conical coupling (22a) and a seat having a conical cavity (22b).

3, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to the preceding claim, in which said disengageable connection (22) preferably further comprises degrees of freedom suitable to allow the coupling of said coupling (22a) and said cavity (22b) even when these are not perfectly aligned.

4, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said movement means (4) are able to lift said land vehicle (50) from the ground and consequently coincide with said lifting means (3).

5, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said secondary wheels (20) comprise a shaft (20a) rotatabie around an axis of rotation and wherein said movement means (4) are able to rotate said shaft (20a) around a secondary axis (4a) perpendicular to said axis of rotation (20a) so as to position the axis of the secondary wheels (20) perpendicular to the base of said land vehicle.

6, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said movement means (4) of said secondary means of locomotion (2) comprise vertical translation devices (40) able to move said secondary wheels (20) vertically.

7, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said vertical translation devices (40) comprise comprise hooking means (41 c) with a portion of said shaft (20a).

8, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said portion of said shaft (20a) comprises a rotational bearing (41 e), suitable to allow the outer portion of said portion of said shaft (20a) to couple in a fixed manner with said hooking means (41 c).

9, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to the preceding claim and claim 2, wherein said rotational bearing (41 e) is arranged in correspondence with said conical cavity (22b) and outside the same.

10, Auxiliary device (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said movement means (4) comprise blocking means of the suspensions of said primary wheels.

11. Auxiliary device (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, comprising sensor (5) for automatically setting the distance from externa! obstacles during parking.