FR3066174B1 - PEDALO WITH ELECTRICAL ASSISTANCE, EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE FOR LIFTING / IMMERSION OF ITS PROPULSION PROPELLER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrically assisted pedal boat designed with a propulsion electric propulsion system, supported integrally by a fixed frame and maintaining the two shells (2) pedalo. According to the invention, the pedal boat is provided with a device for raising / immersing its propeller propulsion very simple that allows both the automatic lifting of the propeller and its propulsion shaft in case of obstacle met , in particular an underwater obstacle (rock, coral ..), and the lifting / immersion of the propeller and its propulsion shaft by the user, advantageously by means of a lever (10) actuated by effort push-pulled, from his pedaling position.

Description

PEDALO WITH ELECTRICAL ASSISTANCE, EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE FOR LIFTING / IMMERSION OF ITS PROPULSION PROPELLER

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of pedal boats, more commonly known as pedal boats.

It relates more particularly to an electric-assisted pedal boat, that is to say to a boat in which at least one electric motor necessarily adds a training torque to that of pedaling by the muscular force of the legs of a user. . The invention aims in particular to provide a device for lifting / immersion of its propeller propeller simple to implement, reliable and effective especially in case of submarine obstacle encountered by the propeller.

Prior art

A pedal pedalo is a simple boat equipped with a paddle wheel that is driven by the muscular strength of the legs of one or more users through one or more pedals.

A classic pedal boat is relatively inexpensive to purchase and allows you to move at will on many types of bodies of water. Nevertheless, the disadvantages of a classic pedal boat are numerous among which we can mention the consequent human energy to provide to move it.

This is all the more critical when the user or users wish to travel considerable distances or when they are (are) confronted with difficult conditions of navigation (wind, currents, tide) which are not those initials when leaving the boat.

It is still possible to equip the classic pedal boats with outboard motors but we lose the amenities, including acoustics and lack of fuel consumption, which are initially sought for these recreational craft.

In addition, it would generate a permanent rotation of the pedals which more is not necessarily that at the rate desired by the user (s).

The German company Bion-X has already proposed an electric pedal boat under the name "SeaScapel2". It will be possible to refer to the patent applications WO2012 / 094685, WO2012 / 094686 and US2012 / 238159 which relate respectively to a dual propulsion control of the boat, and the two others to a combined pedaling transmission and the motorization, particularly for the rotation of a propeller at the rear of the boat. Reference can also be made to patent application WO2012 / 094687 which describes a rudder and lifting system of the propulsion propeller.

This pedalo proposed by the company Bion-X is far from satisfactory. In particular, the propulsion system of the propeller is very complex, in particular with a double pedaling station, two transmission belts, two transmission shafts connected to the propeller shaft and an electric motor with its electronic control unit. completely deported from both pedals.

The steering and lift system of the propeller is heavy and also very complex, especially with a support attached to the rear of the boat, in the manner of a traditional outboard boat.

In addition, the propulsion system is provided with a forward function and an independent function in reverse, each of these functions to be operated by the user to advance the pedal respectively forward or backward.

Moreover, the battery of the electric motor is a heavy lead type battery, not very ergonomic and can not be extracted from the boat.

Finally, the system is fully integrated with the one-piece structure of the hull, which generates not very high propulsion performance with further limited assistance autonomy.

Moreover, the lifting device of the propeller disclosed is very complex and does not automatically raise the propeller when it encounters an obstacle. However, this situation can often occur especially when the user (s) of the pedal boat wish to make a direct arrival on a beach or when the pedalo hits a rock, a coral or any other underwater obstacle.

There is therefore a need to improve the current electrically assisted pedal boats, in particular to make the propeller lifting device more simple and automatic when the pedalo encounters an obstacle, particularly an underwater obstacle. .

The object of the invention is to respond at least in part to this need.

Presentation of the invention

To do this, the invention relates, in one of its aspects, a pedal power assisted, comprising: - two shells; - a frame attached to the two hulls keeping it parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat; - A propulsion propulsion system comprising: a support supporting a pedal and an electric motor mounted on the pedal, the support being fixed to the frame with the crank axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat; A first transmission shaft, said primary shaft, rotatably mounted in the frame or in a support fixed to the frame, parallel to the axis of the crankset, the primary shaft being rotated by the pedal plate via a flexible transmission element; • an angle gear mechanism whose input shaft is coupled with the input shaft; • a second transmission shaft, said secondary shaft, coupled to the output shaft of the gearbox mechanism; the secondary shaft being housed in a stern tube; • a propeller fixed at the end of the secondary shaft; - A device for lifting / immersion of the propeller and the secondary shaft comprising a link articulated to at least two lifting parts hinged together, the first part is rotatably mounted in the frame, by its top end , around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat and the second part is pivotally mounted by its end below on the stern tube housing the secondary shaft, the articulated connection being adapted to lift the propeller for a deployed extreme position in which is arranged at least partly below the plane P defined by the lowest points of the hulls, to a folded extreme position in which it is above the plane P and vice versa to immerse the propeller.

Thus, the invention essentially consists in producing a device for lifting the immersion of the propeller with an articulated connection on the frame supporting the propulsion propulsion system, this articulated connection allowing the automatic and easy lifting of the propeller when that or preferably the nozzle that surrounds it, meets an obstacle or an underwater obstacle.

The articulated connection can be connected via a linkage system to a lever accessible by a pedalo user, so that the latter may wish to raise or conversely immerse the propeller.

The device for lifting / immersing the propeller is simple to carry out and makes it possible to respond to a problem that pedalo users may encounter, namely an underwater obstacle, such as a rock or coral, which could damage the propeller. Lifting to an extreme position above the plane of the lowest points of the hulls of the boat ensures the integrity of the propeller and its shaft.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first lifting part is double lever with a generally trapezoid articulated to the second lifting part also double lever with a general shape of triangle.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the pedal boat further comprises a nozzle arranged around the propeller.

According to this mode, the pedalo rudder is preferably pivotally mounted at the rear of the nozzle.

According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the nozzle comprises a support fin adapted to bear against a support bar, when the nozzle pivots about the point of articulation of the stern tube, in the event of exertion by an obstacle on the underside of the nozzle and thereby the rotation of the lower lifting piece and therefore its folding on the top lifting piece which rotates around the frame.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the pedal boat comprises an automatic retractor with return force secured to the chassis, whose cable has its free end fixed to the nozzle, the automatic retractor being adapted to assist the lifting of the propeller and the propeller shaft.

The pedalo may include a pod attached to the frame and intended to support the pedalo user (s).

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the pedalo comprises a lever accessible by a user of the pedal boat and a linkage system connecting the lever to the articulated connection, actuating the lever by pushing-pulled in a direction causing the folding of the parts upward lift and thus a lifting of the propeller and the propeller shaft, while actuation of the lever by pushing-pulling in the opposite direction causes the deployment of the parts and thus a drawdown downwards. the propeller and the propeller shaft.

The pedalo may advantageously include a lever accessible by a user of the pedalo whose push-pull actuation causes the change of orientation of the rudder by means of a cable.

Very advantageously, the lift lever / folding of the propeller is the same as that of orientation of the rudder, the operation of the lever forwards or backwards of the pedalo being dedicated to the lifting or folding down of the propeller and the propeller shaft while the right or left-hand operation of the pedalo is dedicated to the change of orientation of the rudder.

Thus, with a single lever, a user of the pedalo sitting and pedaling position can easily by push-pull effort (command push-pull in English) control both the rudder and the lifting or immersion of the propeller and his tree. Thus, the user enjoys a great driving comfort, very intuitive

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the following figures among which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view from the front of an example of an electric pedal booster according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a schematic view from the rear of an example of an electric pedal booster according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a portion of the electrically assisted pedal boat according to FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the electrically assisted pedal boat according to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 showing in more detail the propulsion system of the pedal boat; FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the pedalo frame with the pedalo propulsion system and the propeller lifting device, the figures respectively showing the propeller in its extreme low position and its extreme high position; FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively correspond to FIGS. 5A and 5B, but according to another angle of view; FIG. 7 is an exploded view of part of the propulsion system of an electrically assisted pedal boat according to the invention, the part of the system comprising the crankset engine block, the crankset and their support intended to be fixed to the chassis. Figure 8 is an exploded view of the portion of the propulsion system downstream of the portion shown in Figure 7.

In the following description and throughout the application, the terms "up" and "down", "above" and "below", "before" and "back", "upstream" and "downstream" are to understand with reference to the pedal boat according to the invention as it is in its configuration with water.

Thus, the rear end or downstream pedalo according to the invention is the end closest to the rudder. The lowest point of the hulls of the pedal boat is the one most immersed in the water.

For the sake of clarity, the same references designating the same pedalo elements according to the invention are used for all of Figures 1 to 8.

The pedal power assisted according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 and designated generally by the reference 1 comprises first two identical shells 2, preferably polyester.

A frame 3 is fixed on the two shells 2 and holds them parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the boat.

A nacelle 4 on which the pedalo user (s) can mount is fixed on the frame 3. This nacelle 4 can be advantageously coated with a comfort coating 40, such as a cork coating.

A propulsion system 5 incorporating the pedal and its electrical assitance, as detailed below, is attached to the frame 3.

The pedalo according to the invention 1 preferably comprises tubes 6 assembled together and some of which are fixed to the nacelle 4. These tubes 6 form a set of guardrails.

Hoops 7 can advantageously also be fixed on the nacelle 4. These hoops 7 can thus serve as a support for one or more screens for protection against the sun.

The propulsion propulsion system 5 makes it possible to drive a propeller 8 arranged along the central axis of the pedal boat and around which a nozzle 80 is mounted. As is usually the case on other boats, the nozzle 80 is designed to accelerate the flow of water. water around the propeller 8, and thus increase the thrust generated by the propeller. The nozzle 80 also makes it possible to guarantee protection for a person in the water that comes too close to the propeller 8.

A rudder 9 is pivotally mounted on the nozzle 80 being arranged downstream of the flow of the propeller.

The propulsion system 5 firstly comprises a block consisting of a single pedal 50 equipped with two pedals 50p and an electric motor 51 whose output shaft is the axis of the pedal or is mounted directly on it. this. The electric motor 51 can be powered by a Li-ion type battery.

This electric motor unit / pedal 50, 51 is supported on a support 30 which is fixed directly on the frame 3. The arrangement and the fixing of the support 30 on the frame are such that the axis of the pedal is orthogonal to the axis longitudinal elevation of the pedalo 1 being raised relative to the chassis 3 and the platform 4. The elevation allows a user to actuate by his leg strength the pedal 50 from a sitting position on the platform or on a seat reported on the latter .

This block 50, 51 may advantageously be a set commonly known pedal motor, already marketed to achieve the electric assistance of bicycles.

This pedal motor is preferably powered by a Li-ion battery which is removable or otherwise extractable. As an indication, a pedestal engine power limited to 500 W can be powered by a Li-ion battery of 36 volts and capacity equal to 1200 Wh.

The output wheel or plate 52 of the crankset 50 drives a transmission wheel 53 via a flexible transmission element 54.

The transmission wheel 53 is fixed to a primary transmission shaft 55 mounted in rotation, parallel to the axis of the pedal, in a support 31 fixed to the frame 3, preferably by means of plain bearings. The primary drive shaft 55 is coupled with the input shaft of a 90 ° angle deflection mechanism 56. The output shaft of the gear mechanism 56 is in turn coupled with a secondary transmission shaft 57 which is the propeller shaft at the end of which is fixed the latter.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an advantageous embodiment of the propulsion system from the engine / crank block 50, 51 to the propeller 8 of the pedal boat 1.

In this mode, the output wheel 52 of the crankset 50 and the transmission wheel 53 are each constituted by a toothed pulley clamped between two flanges 52f, 53f. The flexible transmission element 54 is thus a toothed belt. The transmission shafts 55, 57 are each mounted with sealing in a tube 58, 59 according to a known assembly in the nautical field under the designation "stern tube".

The mode of operation of the propulsion system just described is now briefly described.

The transmission of the engine torque of the electric motor 51 is in series with that of the pedaling torque exerted on the pedal 50, so that the engine necessarily adds a torque to the pedaling. The electric assistance by the motor 51 can be done in several different ways: a rotation sensor, arranged at the pedal 50 can detect the rotation thereof and thus the pedaling, which then allows the electric motor 51 of provide torque in addition to pedaling. - A force / torque sensor in the engine block 51 can control the power of the engine from the knowledge of pedaling and cadence.

The output of the pedaling torque assisted by the motor is done by the output wheel 52 of the pedal 50 to the propeller 8 via respectively the flexible transmission element 54, the transmission wheel 53, the primary shaft 55, the bevel gear 56 and finally the propeller shaft 57. The propeller 8 and the secondary transmission shaft 57 are fixed to a support 32 attached to the rear of the frame 3 or forming the rear part of the latter, through an articulated connection.

This articulated connection thus makes it possible to raise the propeller 8 and its shaft 57 housed in its stern tube 59, as well as the rudder 9, from an extended deployed position in which the propeller 8 is arranged at least partly in below the plane P defined by the lowest points of the shells 2 (Figures 5A, 6A), to a folded extreme position in which it is above the plane P (Figures 5B, 6B). Vice versa, the articulated connection allows the deployment of the propeller 8 from its extreme folded position to its deployed extreme position.

The deployed extreme position corresponds to an operating configuration of the pedal boat 1 which can advance in the water, while the extreme folded position corresponds to a rest or transport configuration of the pedal boat 1.

As detailed below, the lifting of the propeller 8 can be achieved either manually by means of a lever by the user from the platform 4, or automatically when the nozzle 80 encounters an obstacle, especially when the pedal boat 1 comes straight from a rock or coral or other underwater obstacle or even when the pedal boat 1 makes an arrival on a beach.

The articulated connection comprises a first lug lifting part 11, the end of which is rotatably mounted in the support 32 at the rear of the frame 3, about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat 1. As illustrated, this first piece has a general shape of trapezium. The end of the top of a second lifting part 12, double lever, is rotatably mounted on the end of the bottom of the piece 11 about an axis also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat 1. The bottom end of the piece 12 is pivotally mounted on the stern tube 59 housing the propeller shaft 57. As shown, this second part 12 has substantially a general shape of triangle.

The lifting part 12 is provided with a support bar 13.

The nozzle 80 is provided on the top with a support fin 81.

According to an advantageous embodiment, an automatic retraction force retractor 19 is fixed under the nacelle 4 preferably via a tension spring to allow better travel. The free end of the cable 19c of the winder 19, preferably of stainless steel, is fixed to the nozzle 80. This automatic winder makes it possible to assist the raising of the propeller 8 and its shaft 57 / stern tube 59 to bring back the nozzle 80.

The automatic lifting of the propeller 8 is now described when the nozzle 80 encounters an underwater obstacle or when the pedal boat makes an arrival on a beach. The obstacle exerts a force on the underside of the nozzle 80 which then pivots around the point of articulation of the stern tube 59.

This pivoting causes the fin 81 to bear against the bar 13 and then the rotation of the lower lifting piece 12 and thus its folding on the top lifting piece 11 which rotates around the support 32.

With the assistance of the automatic reel 19, the propeller 8 and its shaft 57 / stern tube 59 are thus raised by pivoting upwards, to above the plane P of the lowest points of the hulls 2 .

According to an advantageous embodiment, a linkage system connects the lever 10 to the articulated connection. More specifically, the lever 10 is rigidly fixed to one end of an axis 14 mounted in rotation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat 1. A first link 15 is fixed rigidly to the other end of the axis 14. This axis 14 thus constitutes a lateral axis of offset of the lever 10 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat 1.

An articulated rod 16 rigidly connects the first connecting rod 14 to a second connecting rod 17. This second connecting rod 17 is fixed rigidly to the axis of rotation of the lifting member 11.

The manual lifting is now described from the actuation of the lever 10 by a user present on the platform 4 of the pedal boat 1.

When the user wishes to raise the propeller 8, it performs a pull lever 10 to the rear of the pedal 1. This thrust rotates the first rod 14 forward and therefore the second rod 17 via of the stem 16.

The lifting part of the top 11 is then simultaneously pivoted forward, which also returns by pivoting the lifting part 12 underneath upwards and thus the lifting of the propeller 8 and its shaft 57. When lifting automatic propeller 8, that is to say without manual operation of the lever 10, the latter is moved forward because of its rigid connection with the linkage system. Conversely, in order to fold the propeller 8 downwards, towards an operating configuration in which the propeller 8 is immersed, the user pulls the lever 10 towards the front of the pedal 1, this which causes the kinematics of the hinged connection 11, 12 to be reversed from that previously described by means of the linkage system 14, 15, 16, 17.

As just described, the propulsion system of the propeller 8 and its lifting device are of simple and effective embodiment for a transmission of the optimum power to the propeller 8.

In particular, all the components of this propulsion system and the lifting device are supported only by the frame 3 without any mechanical interaction with the hulls 2 of the boat.

An advantageous embodiment consists in controlling the change of direction of the rudder 9 by the same lever 10 as that described previously and used for manually raising / lowering the propeller 8.

To do this, the lever 10 is connected directly to the top end of the rudder 9 by a push-pull cable 18.

The mounting of the lever 10 and the push-pull cable 18 is such that a manual thrust to the left changes the orientation of the rudder 9 in a direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat 1 while a thrust to the left changes the orientation in the other direction. For example, a thrust to the left of the lever 10 directs the rudder 9 to the left.

A user can thus with one and the same lever 10 operate both the rudder 9 (push to the left or the right of the pedal 1) and the raising / lowering of the propeller 8 (thrust forwards or backwards pedalo 1), moreover in a simple way. Other variants and advantages of the invention can be realized without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, if in the embodiments shown, the propulsion system 5 is provided with pulleys 52, 53 and a belt 54 notched between the crank axle and the primary transmission shaft, it is equally possible to provide a transmission by toothed wheels and roller chain.

The articulated connection for lifting, as illustrated, comprises two lifting parts 11, 12, with double lever, hinged together and on the one hand to the frame 3 and on the other hand to the stern tube 59. It is possible to just as well consider an articulated connection with more than two parts of lift. Each lifting piece can also be made with a single rod-shaped lever. The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described; it is possible in particular to combine with one another characteristics of the illustrated examples within non-illustrated variants. The expression "comprising one" or "comprising one" shall be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one" unless the contrary is specified.

Claims (10)

Electric pedal pedalo (1), comprising: - two hulls (2); - a frame (3) attached to the two shells (2) keeping it parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat; - A propulsion propulsion system (5) comprising: • a support (30) supporting a pedal (50) and an electric motor (51) mounted on the pedal, the support being fixed to the frame with the axis of the pedal orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat; A first transmission shaft (55), said primary shaft, rotatably mounted in the frame or in a support fixed to the frame, parallel to the axis of the crankset, the primary shaft being rotated by the plate (52) pedal assembly via a flexible transmission element (54); • An angle gear mechanism (56) whose input shaft is coupled with the input shaft; • a second drive shaft (57), said secondary shaft or propeller shaft, coupled to the output shaft of the gearbox mechanism; the propeller shaft (57) being housed in a stern tube (59); • a propeller (8) fixed at the end of the secondary shaft; - A device for lifting / immersing the propeller (8) and the propeller shaft (57) comprising a link articulated to at least two lifting parts (11, 12) hinged together, the first part of which (11) is rotatably mounted in the frame (3), at its end above, about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedal boat and the second piece (12) is pivotally mounted at its end from below on the stern tube (59) housing the secondary shaft (59), the articulated connection being adapted to raise the propeller (8) from an extended end position in which is arranged at least partly below the plane P defined by the lowest points of the hulls (2), to a folded extreme position in which it is above the plane P and vice versa to immerse the propeller (8). Electric pedal pedals according to claim 1, the first lifting piece (11) being double-lever with a generally trapezoidal shape articulated to the second lifting piece (12) also with a double lever with a generally triangular shape. The electric assisted pedal boat according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a nozzle (80) arranged around the helix. 4. Electric assist pedalo according to claim 3, comprising a rudder (9) pivotally mounted at the rear of the nozzle (80). Electric assisted pedalo according to claim 3 or 4, the nozzle comprising a support fin (81) adapted to bear against a support bar (13) when the nozzle (80) pivots around the point of contact. articulation of the stern tube (59) in the event of force exerted by an obstacle on the underside of the nozzle and hence the rotation of the lower lifting piece (12) and thus its folding on the upper lifting piece (11) which rotates around the frame. 6. Electric assisted pedal system according to one of claims 3 to 5, comprising an automatic retracting force winder (19) integral with the frame, whose cable (19c) has its free end fixed to the nozzle (80), automatic winder being adapted to assist the lifting of the propeller (8) and the propeller shaft (57). 7. power assisted pedalo according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a nacelle (4) fixed on the frame and intended to support the pedalo user (s). The electrically assisted pedal boat according to claim 6 in combination with claim 7, comprising a lever (10) accessible by a user of the pedal boat and a linkage system connecting the lever (10) to the articulated link, lever actuation (10) by pushing-pulling in one direction causing the lifting parts (11, 12) to fold upwards and thus raising the propeller (8) and the propeller shaft (57), while actuation of the lever (10) by pushing-pulling in the opposite direction causes the deployment of the parts and thus a downward folding of the propeller (8) and the propeller shaft (57). The electric assisted pedal boat according to one of claims 5 to 8 when dependent on claim 4, comprising a lever (10) accessible by a user of the pedal boat whose push-pull actuation causes the change of orientation of the rudder (9) via a cable (18). Electric assisted pedalo according to claim 8 in combination with claim 9, the lever (10) for raising / lowering the helix being the same as that for steering the rudder (9), the actuation of the lever towards the front or rear of the pedalo being dedicated to the lifting or folding down of the propeller and the propeller shaft while the actuation to the right or to the left of the pedalo is dedicated to the change of rudder orientation.