EP3894312A1

EP3894312A1 - Vehicle with a retractable front wheel

Info

Publication number: EP3894312A1
Application number: EP19817415.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yves Potin; Bertrand Barre; Francis Lepage
Original assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA
Current assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA
Priority date: 2018-12-14
Filing date: 2019-11-28
Publication date: 2021-10-20
Also published as: WO2020121100A1; FR3089944A3

Abstract

Vehicle (1) with a front wheel (2) retractable by pivoting towards the rear of the vehicle, comprising: (i) a chassis (3) connected to a steering column (4) bearing a fork (5); (ii) said fork (5) comprises a fork lever (6) extending towards the chassis from the upper end (16) of the fork (5); (iii) a handlebar support (7) fastened freely in rotation at its lower end (8) to the free end (9) of the fork lever (6); (iv) in the region (10) of the steering column (4), said handlebar support (7) being fastened freely in rotation at the end (12) of a pivot pin (11) connected freely in rotation at its other end (13) to the steering column (4) on a steering column pivot (14).

Description

RETRACTABLE FRONT WHEEL VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tricycle vehicle with retractable front wheel by pivoting towards the rear of the vehicle.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Electrically powered bicycles and tricycles are increasingly used and popular means of transport in cities, especially in large cities because they are an economical and non-polluting alternative to thermal vehicles. On the other hand, for a given trip, the potential time saving by using such a vehicle compared to a four-wheeled vehicle can be considerable. In addition, their parking is simpler and often free.

In general, in large cities, there are a very large number of bicycles and tricycles. As a result, on many sites, such as stations or other public places with a high attendance, the bicycle parks are saturated. It is therefore increasingly difficult to find a place to park your bicycle or tricycle. There is therefore a need for a vehicle which is as compact as possible.

To facilitate their storage when they are not in use, several tricycles have a foldable frame in two parts. The parts are pivotally mounted relative to each other. Such an arrangement allows the tricycle to be folded up when it is not in use. Folding tricycles partially solve the problem of lack of space.

However, there is a need for a compact vehicle which is stable, easy to handle and effortlessly transportable.

For example, the document FR1147361 describes a motorcycle with a folding frame in two parts. Fork has a pivot at its end lower to retract the wheel and another pivot at its upper end to fold the handlebars. The folds are carried out successively.

Document GB1571849 describes a folding bicycle comprising a fork in two parts, connected by a central hinge. Thanks to this hinge, the handlebars and the wheel can be folded up to make the bicycle more compact for its storage. The hinge splits a key part of the bicycle into two parts, which is subject to many forces during riding. This implementation is likely to present risks of involuntary folding during driving, making the vehicle insecure.

Document CN102700663 describes a folding tricycle comprising a fork composed of two pivoting parts at the level of the steering column, each of the parts being connected to the frame by one end of the steering column, and the other end to axes. . The axes are connected to the pivot axis of the saddle. The three axes are activated at the same time. The mechanism is complex, heavy and fragile.

Document WO2017072740 describes a bicycle comprising a folding fork in two parts at the level of the steering column. In one embodiment, the two pivots are independent and the folds carried out successively. In another embodiment, a gear system makes it possible to connect the two folding elements together, so that the folding of one causes the folding of the other. Such an implementation is fragile, unreliable. The gears must be protected by fairings to avoid any risk of injury to a user.

Document EP0263554 describes a bicycle comprising a fork and a handlebar support pivotally mounted between them by means of a pivot and a gear. The implementation is complex and the gear can be the source of various malfunctions or injuries to the user. Document EP0648667 describes a bicycle with a front wheel retractable towards the rear. The bicycle also has a folding handlebar. To move from the driving position to the folded position, the handlebars must undergo a double movement, on the one hand pivot and on the other hand rotation on itself, as shown in Figure 2, making the mechanism complex and fragile. In addition, since the handlebars are not directly connected to the fork, the use of the vehicle can cause vibrations or inaccuracies in the steering.

To overcome the various drawbacks previously mentioned, the invention provides different technical means.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

First, a first objective of the invention is to provide an urban means of transport complementary to conventional urban transport such as the bus, tram and metro.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an ecological and economical means of urban transport.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an urban means of transport that does not require a public or private parking space.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a light and compact means of urban transport to allow it to be transported with oneself to the office, to public places or other places.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an urban means of transport that is easy to drive for any type of user.

Another object of the invention is to provide an urban means of transport with a high level of security. To do this, the invention provides a vehicle with a retractable front wheel by pivoting towards the rear of the vehicle, comprising:

(i) a chassis connected to a steering column carrying a fork;

(ii) said fork comprises a fork lever extending towards the chassis from the upper end of the fork;

(iii) a handlebar support fixed freely in rotation at its lower end on a handlebar / fork lever joint;

(iv) a fixed support comprising two ends provided with articulations;

(v) a link, fixed free in rotation to the link / fixed support joint and to the handlebar / link joint.

The mechanism allows the handlebars and the fork to pivot simultaneously towards the rear of the vehicle. The transition from the rolling position to the storage position is effected by a single rotational movement for each of the elements (handlebars and fork). The mechanism is simple and easy to use. Due to the limited number of parts used, its reliability is increased and its cost is low.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the fork comprises a fork pivot at its upper end, arranged on the fork lever and mounted to rotate freely on the fixed support.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the vehicle has two extreme positions:

(i) a rolling position in which the handlebar support and the fork are aligned;

(ii) a retracted position in which the handlebar support and the fork are parallel, the wheel being in a wheel housing and the handlebar support being in the vicinity of the wheel.

The retracted position allows the vehicle to be compact and to be able to be transported easily. Switching from retracted mode to taxiing mode and vice versa is simple, quick and effortless for the user. Advantageously, in the rolling position, the three joints are aligned, effecting a three-point locking of the fork.

Thus, any force applied in front on the fork at the wheel affects these three joints aligned via the fork lever. This construction method, with the three joints under stress, avoids any mechanical play detrimental to good steering precision.

According to an advantageous example, a locking finger arranged on the fixed support and able to cooperate with a housing provided in an anchor block of the handlebar support when the vehicle is in driving mode.

Such an arrangement provides a simple, reliable and secure locking mode.

According to yet another advantageous example, a hook is mounted on the fixed support and able to cooperate with the handlebar / fork joint when the vehicle is in the retracted position.

This arrangement makes it possible to secure the wheel in the retracted position, inter alia to allow the vehicle to be handled in complete safety.

Advantageously, the fixed support is fixed to the steering column. This provides a rigid and secure attachment.

Advantageously, the chassis has two parallel chassis arms spaced apart to allow the passage of the front wheel in the retracted position.

This feature allows the front wheel to be protected to avoid soiling and congestion when moving the tricycle in the retracted mode. The volume is optimally reduced thanks to this configuration.

According to yet another advantageous example, the handlebar support (in particular the region of its lower end) is flexible so as to allow movement from the front wheel to the rear of the vehicle. This architecture provides a better level of comfort, especially when crossing obstacles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

All the details of embodiment are given in the description which follows, supplemented by FIGS. 1 a to 16 presented only for the purposes of nonlimiting examples, and in which:

FIG. 1a illustrates an example of a vehicle with a retractable front wheel seen in elevation in the driving position;

FIG. 1b is an example of kinematic diagram of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2a is an elevation view of the vehicle during the first folding phase;

FIG. 2b is an example of kinematic diagram of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a is an elevation view in the intermediate folding phase;

FIG. 3b is an example of kinematic diagram of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4a is an elevation view of the vehicle in the final folding phase;

FIG. 4b is an example of kinematic diagram of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an example of the front part of an example of a vehicle in the driving position;

FIG. 5b illustrates the vehicle of FIG. 5a during the first folding phase;

FIG. 5c illustrates the vehicle of FIG. 5a in the intermediate phase of the folding;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example in driving mode in a perspective view;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the kinematics during an unfolding phase;

FIG. 8 is a kinematic diagram of the forces exerted on the elements of the part of a vehicle in the driving position during a frontal force on the fork in the unfolded situation;

FIG. 9 is an example of locking the handlebars in driving mode;

FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate the locking step in retracted mode using the locking hook;

FIG. 13 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle folding system in the unfolded situation;

FIG 14 is a top view of the example of Figure 13;

FIG. 15 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle folding system in the folded situation;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the example in FIG. 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a illustrate an embodiment of a vehicle 1 having at least two wheels, including a front wheel 2, the latter and the handlebar 19 of the vehicle being retractable. In this example, the vehicle 1 is a tricycle with two rear wheels 22. The lower part of the front of the vehicle comprises a front wheel 2 mounted on a fork 5. The fork 5 is pivotally fixed (towards the rear of the vehicle) to a steering column 4 by a fork pivot 15. This pivot allows the front wheel 2 to pivot towards the chassis 3. The steering column 4 is connected to two arms 18 of the chassis 3, located on the front part of the vehicle. The handlebar 19 is carried by a handlebar support 7, connected to the fork 5. The rear part of the vehicle consists of a saddle 21 and rear wheels 22. The fork also comprises a fork lever 6, extending from the upper portion 16 of the fork towards the rear of the vehicle. The lower end 8 of the handlebar support 7 is connected to the fork lever 6 by the handlebar / fork joint 9 described below.

The illustrated vehicle comprises a set of levers and pivots allowing, thanks to an angular movement of the handlebar support 7 towards the rear of the vehicle, to produce a rotation of the fork 5, and therefore of the front wheel 2, also towards the rear of the vehicle. Thanks to this advantageous architecture, the user performs a single action, producing simultaneous folding of the handlebars and the wheel. These two elements thus pivot inversely to each other.

This assembly comprises a fixed support 25, substantially in the shape of a "U", fixed on the steering column 4 and provided with two ends, one of which carries a link 11, each of the two ends carrying a joint: a joint 9 handlebar / fork allowing the handlebar support 7 to pivot relative to the fork 5, and a link 13 link / fixed support, allowing the link 11 to pivot relative to the fixed support 25. The other end of the link 11 is fixed to the handlebar support 7, by a handlebar / link articulation 12. The fork 5 is mounted on a fork pivot 15, allowing the latter to pivot between two extreme positions. The two extreme positions of the vehicle are as follows:

(i) a rolling position in which the handlebar support 7 and the fork 5 are aligned;

(ii) a retracted position in which the handlebar support 7 and the fork 5 are parallel, the front wheel 2 being in a wheel housing 17 and the handlebar support 7 being in the vicinity of the wheel. Switching from retracted mode to rolling mode and vice-versa is simple, quick and effortless for the user.

KINEMATICS: FOLDING TO OBTAIN ESCAMOTE MODE

Figures 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b illustrate the kinematics implemented at different stages of folding, in correspondence with Figures 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a of an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle. These kinematic diagrams make it possible to break down the movement of the various elements associated with the transformation of the vehicle to allow the handlebar support 7 and the front wheel 2 to be folded in order to make them pass from the rolling mode to the retracted mode.

The joints 13 and 15 are fixed, while the joints 9 and 12 are movable relative to the fixed support 25.

First, the articulation 9 is movable towards the front of the vehicle in order to pivot the fork 5 rearwards, by acting on the fork lever 6, pivoting around the articulation 15, during switching to folded mode. Then, the articulation 12 of the link 11 is movable in space relative to the fixed support 25, and makes it possible to maintain the handlebar support 7 by leaving it free to pivot.

Figures 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a illustrate an embodiment of the vehicle during its passage from the rolling position to the storage position with the front wheel retracted. The rolling position is shown in Figure 1a. In this example, the fork 5 and the handlebar support 7 are substantially parallel, and in the same alignment. The handlebar support forms an angle at the level of the area 10 of the steering column, allowing it to extend slightly towards the rear of the vehicle at the level of the handlebar 19. The link 11 is aligned substantially parallel to the lower part handlebar support 7 located in zone 10 of the steering column and forming a handlebar lever 26. The fork lever 6 extends towards the rear of the vehicle in a substantially horizontal manner.

The handlebar support 7 is actuated to move to the retracted position. The first folding phase in this embodiment of the vehicle is shown in Figure 2a.

The handlebar support 7 is slightly inclined towards the rear of the vehicle. Its part located in zone 10 of the steering column is substantially vertical. The link 11 is in alignment with the lower part of the chassis arms 18. The fork 5 is substantially vertical, the front wheel 2 being slightly behind its initial position.

The intermediate phase of folding in this exemplary embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3a. In this example, the handlebars are at the saddle 21.

The lower end 8 of the handlebar support is more advanced than the center of the front wheel 2. The link 11 is in alignment with the upper part of the arms 18 of the chassis. The fork lever 6 and the lower end 8 of the handlebar support are substantially aligned in the extension of one another. In this position, the handlebars and the fork 5 are being tilted towards the rear of the vehicle 1.

The final phase of folding, corresponding to the extreme retracted position, is illustrated in Figure 4a. The handlebar support 7 is tilted in the direction of the rear of the vehicle and pivots around the pivot connections formed by the articulations 9 and 12. Retained by the link 11, the articulation 12 moves in the direction of the rear of the vehicle and the articulation 9 of the fork lever goes up. The handlebar support 7 thus causes the fork 5 to rotate backwards around the fork pivot 15. At the end of the movement, the handlebar support 7 and the fork 5 are practically parallel to each other. A hook 24 then blocks the handlebar / fork joint 9. A position sensor 33 makes it possible to control the correct position of the hook.

KINEMATICS: FOLDING FOR OBTAINING TRAVELING MODE

The handlebar support 7 is tilted towards the front of the vehicle and pivots around the joints 9 and 12. Retained by the link 11, the articulation 12 moves in the direction of the front of the vehicle and the free end 8 of the fork lever goes down. The handlebar support 7 thus causes the fork 5 to rotate forwards around the fork pivot 15. At the end of the unfolding movement, the three joints 9, 12 and 13 are aligned.

SAFETY TRAVELING MODE

At the end of the movement (Figure 8), the three joints 9, 12 and 13 are aligned, performing a three-point locking. Thus, any force applied at the front on the fork at the level of the wheel affects these three articulations aligned via the fork lever 6.

This construction method puts the joints 9, 12 and 13 under stress, which avoids any mechanical play detrimental to good steering precision.

Advantageously provides the architecture of the parts so that the joint 12 driven by the handlebars, passes very slightly beyond the line passing through the joints 9 and 13, which avoids a backtracking (situation of folding) if a frontal force is exerted on the fork. The front handlebars are stopped by a locking finger 23 cooperating with a housing 28 arranged in a block 27 for anchoring the handlebar support.

The handlebar support 7 is held in position by the locking finger 23. The locking finger 23 is held in the extended position, for example by means of a spring. The locking finger 23 thus inserted into the housing 28 provides a blocking effect on the handlebar support 7.

A sensor, for example of the inductive type, positioned in the housing 28, makes it possible to check that the locking finger 23 is indeed in position. Finger Lock 23 is connected to a lever 29 of the locking finger via a cable 30. The hook lever 29 can be held in position by a spring.

When switching to rolling mode, the anchor block 27 of the handlebar support presses on a surface 32 of the locking finger 23, which allows the latter to retract until the block 27 is in position so that the locking finger 23 automatically rises in its housing 28.

THREE POINT SYSTEM FOLDING

Figures 9 to 12 illustrate the detail of the locking of the handlebars 7 during the various steps to pass from the unfolded mode to the folded mode. FIG. 9 illustrates the step following the unlocking of the locking finger 23. The handlebar support 7 is positioned slightly behind the articulation 13 and the locking finger 23 is in the extended position in front of the anchoring block 27 of the support handlebars. The locking finger 23 has an inclined surface 32 to facilitate the engagement of the locking finger 23 in its housing 28 when the anchoring block 27 of the handlebar support comes into contact with the locking finger 23 during the unfolding phase.

Figure 10 illustrates the first step of folding, the three joints 9, 12 and 13 are no longer aligned and the joint 12 is shifted backwards. The inclination of the handlebar 7 makes it possible to pull the articulation 12 towards the rear of the vehicle and to raise the articulation 9 of the fork lever. Figure 11 illustrates the intermediate step of folding the vehicle. The handlebar support 7 pivots around the articulation 12 and the articulation 3 allows it to be raised so that the articulation 9 can advance inside the pivot connections 12 and 15 towards the front of the vehicle 1, towards the steering column 4 and the hook 24. FIG. 12 illustrates the “three-point” locking system in the folded position of the vehicle. The pivot link 9 has a protrusion which can be inserted into the hook 24 and thus lock the vehicle in the folded position. The sensor 33 makes it possible to ensure that the protuberance is properly engaged in the hook 24 and to prevent any involuntary unfolding. EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION

Figures 5a to 5c and Figure 6 illustrate, in perspective, an embodiment of the vehicle. The two rear wheels 22 are advantageously motorized by one or two electric motors. The rolling position is shown in Figure 5a. The first folding phase is illustrated in Figure 5b. The intermediate folding phase corresponds to FIG. 5c. In this embodiment, the vehicle comprises two chassis arms 18, spaced apart so that they can accommodate the front wheel 2 in its retracted position. The chassis 3 is connected to the steering column 4 and forms a wheel housing 17 between the two arms 18. FIG. 5c illustrates the passage of the front wheel 2 in the wheel housing 17. This is provided so that the front wheel 2 fits perfectly into the chassis 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, the vehicle 1 is equipped with an electronic unit 20, serving as a control station, and possibly as a guide means. The handlebar support 7 consists of two elongated elements, spaced apart by a third element located substantially above the steering column 4, arranged in the form of H. The link 11 consists of two legs, one of the ends 13 of each of the legs being connected to the steering column 4 and forming a fixed pivot, and each of the other ends 12 being fixed free to rotate by means of a pivot fixed on each side of the handlebar support 7 in the zone 10 of the column of management. This double tab allows the mechanism to be more robust and offers extended durability. In addition, parasitic movements are limited, to avoid exerting tension on the pivoting link.

Reference numbers used in the figures

Vehicle

Front wheels

Frame

Steering column

Fork

Fork lever

Handlebar support

Lower end of the handlebar support

Handlebar / fork joint

Steering column area

Rod

Handlebar / link articulation

Rod / fixed support joint

Fork pivot

Fork upper portion

Wheel housing

Chassis arm

Handlebar

Electric case

Saddle

Rear wheel

Handlebar Locking Finger

Hook

Fixed double-ended support with articulations

Handlebar lever in the extension of the handlebar support

Handlebar holder anchor block

Locking finger housing

Locking finger lever

Cable

Handle

Locking finger surface

Position sensor

Claims

1. Vehicle (1) with front wheel (2) retractable by pivoting towards the rear of the vehicle, comprising:

(i) a chassis (3) connected to a steering column (4) carrying a fork (5);

(ii) said fork (5) comprises a fork lever (6) extending towards the chassis from the upper end (16) of the fork (5);

(iii) a handlebar support (7) fixed freely in rotation at its lower end (8) on a joint (9) handlebar / fork lever;

(iv) a fixed support (25) comprising two ends provided with articulations;

(v) a link (11), fixed freely in rotation at the articulation (13) rod / fixed support and at the articulation (12) handlebar / rod.

2. vehicle (1) retractable front wheel (2) according to claim 1, wherein the fork (5) comprises a fork pivot (15) at its upper end (16), arranged on the fork lever (6) and mounted to rotate freely on the fixed support (25).

3. Vehicle (1) with retractable front wheel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle has two extreme positions:

(i) a rolling position in which the handlebar support (7) and the fork (5) are aligned;

(ii) a retracted position in which the handlebar support (7) and the fork (5) are parallel, the wheel being in a wheel housing (17) and the handlebar support (7) being in the vicinity of the wheel ( 2).

4. Vehicle (1) with retractable front wheel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which in the driving position, the three articulations (9, 12, 13) are aligned, effecting a three-point locking of the fork .

5. Vehicle (1) with retractable front wheel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a locking finger (23) arranged on the fixed support (25) and able to cooperate with a housing (28) provided in an anchoring block (27) of the handlebar support when the vehicle is in taxiing mode.

6. Vehicle (1) with retractable front wheel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hook (24), mounted on the fixed support (25) and able to cooperate with the articulation (9) handlebar / fork when the vehicle is in the retracted position.

7. Vehicle (1) with retractable front wheel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixed support (25) is fixed to the steering column (4).

8. Vehicle (1) with retractable front wheel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the chassis (3) comprises two parallel chassis arms (18) spaced apart to allow the passage of the front wheel. (2) in the retracted position.

9. Vehicle (1) with retractable front wheel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the handlebar support (7) is flexible so as to allow movement of the front wheel towards the rear of the vehicle.