GB2239636A - Self-propelled roll-about vehicle with hollow shell - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle, which is efficient, highly manoeuvrable and usable on land or water, comprises a hollow shell (1) of circular cross-section, eg spherical, within which is fixed a horizontal drive shaft (2) from which hangs an i.c. or electric drive motor (4). To keep the motor (4) below the shaft (2), the weight of the motor may be augmented by that of the fuel tanks or batteries (5) and added weight (6). Relative rotation between the shaft and the motor causes the vehicle to roll along. For steering, a further motor (11), with fuel tanks or batteries (12), is suspended from motor (4) by its vertical drive shaft (8) which carries counterweights (15) separated by an adjustable spacer shaft (17). The vehicle is steered by means of a brake (10) acting between motor (11) and shaft (8). When used for passengers. Fig. 7, the shell may be suspended within an outer shell (42) by springs (43). The vehicle may be a toy, eg. radio-controlled. The vehicle may be parked on an upwardly-concave block in the manner of an egg on an egg-cup (Fig 11). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED SELE PROPELLED ROLL-ABOUT This invention relates to an improved self propelled roll-about.

Self propelled vehicles presently include wheeled or tracked vehicles such as bicycles, cars, trains, bulldozers and tanks for use on land. One major problem that confronts the everyday user of such vehicles is that of parking, as it generally happens that such vehicles by nature are restricted to movement in a relatively narrow direction band due to the alignment of their wheels, although there have been some recent attempts to provide more versatility on cars. Related to this problem is the inability of such vehicles to negotiate tight corners on narrow roads.

Yet another problem is the poor ability of wheeled vehicles to negotiate roads with potholes, as the wheels are normally of relatively small diameter and can fall into such holes causing some discomfort to passengers.

Also in general, due tn the necessity of driving wheels .t high rotational speeds, which results in high internal frictional resistance, most land transportation vehicles are inherently in effi@@ent Tn the small scale. vehicle field, there are qurrently numerous designs of wh@@led or tracked machines normally driven by electric motors and frequently remotely controlled. These can range from toy cars to travelling robots, most of which are confined to operation on relatively smooth surfaces and tend to he- comme stuck if they encounter obstacles.

The production, sale and operation of all of the above types of vehicle constitutes an enormous part of the present. day economy and a large part of time spent by the average person in the so called developed part of the world.

According to the present invention, there is provided a self propelled roll-aboul comprising a spherically shaped hollow shell, constructed of relatively strong material within which is mounted roughly central ly via a shaft through its diameter and fixed relative to the shell, a motor with sufficient power to rotate the shell, which is in contact with the ground at the lower part of its perimeter, relative to the motor body , the not having self weight or attached weight of sufficient mag- nitude to ensure that it hangs nearly vertically below the centre of the shaft due to the effect of gravity, the vertical stability of the motor assembly being ensured by a second motor assembly attached thereto with shaft and axis orthoganally set relative te the. first motor and witi substantial weights which may have thfEil' radial location varied to ingrease stability by means of a hydraulic spacer being attar1icd tJ t if external , normally 1 lower rotating end, the second motor body being free to rotate in a direction counter to that: of tlic weights in order to balance the rotational force under straight line operation, but being restricted in rotation by a hydraulic brake to enable. controlled steering of the sphere.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Sheet 1/5 Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a basic spherical3 steerable self propelled roll-about; Sheet 1/5 Figure 2 shows a cross-section of an alternative version of a roll-about with two symmetrically located stabilization motors; Sheet 2/5 Figure 3 shows a detail of an alternative mounting of the second motor and rotating batteries acting as weights in R roll -about;; Sheet 2/5 Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a configuration for a roll-about with an additional motor for orientation or access and viewing panels; Sheet 3'5 Figure 5 shows R cross section of an alternative configuration for a roll-about with two concentrically aligned motors for contra-rotation of weights; Shect 3/5 Figure 6 sbows an external plan view of a typical roll-about for transport of people; Shect 4/5 Figure 7 shows a typical cross section of a rollabout for transporting people;; Shect 4/5 Figure 8 shows an external plan view of a typical roll-about for operation on water or on snow; Shect 5/5 Figure 9 shows a detail of a possible suspension system for a roll-abo1lt; Sheet 5/5 Figure 10 shows a detail of an alternative suspension system for a roll-about; Sheet 5/5 Figure 11 shows a cross section of a roll-about parking block and stand.

Referring to Sheet: 1/5 Figure 1 , the self propelled steerable roll-about comprises a spherical shell 1, which might.

be of open mesh steel wire coated with pvc or rubber and supported onan aluminium or steal lattige, or entirely of moulded rubber or polythene with some transparent areas, or of an external coated stecl, aluminium or glassfibre flexible framework supported on a more rigid steel, aluminium or other internal framework, the shell being rigidly on detachably fixed on the inside at diametrically opposite points 3' to a straight drive shaft 2 which is strong and relatively rigid being of steel, fibreglass or other suitable material, the shaft 2 supporting at its centre a first rotary motor 4, which is geared to provide relatively slow shaft rotation of less than 300 revolutions per minute (rpm), say, and is of variable speed type with high torque and may be powered by any conventional means such as gasoline or electricity and through which the shaft is made to rotate relative to the motor casing. Batteries or fuel tanks 5 are attached symmetrically to the outside of the motor 4 and added weight of steel or other heavy material 6 may be attached at the lower end of the motor 4 if necessary to improve stability of the motor assembly and ensure that it remains practically vertically below the centre of shaft 2, which may be reinforced against bending by a frame structure 21.Further vertical stability is provided by the Second relatively high output speed rotary motor 11 also of variable speed type with batteries or fuel tanks affixed 12 and with additional weights 6 if necessary and which is suspended via shaft 8 fixed to the bottom of the motor 4 at point 7, but allowed to rotate about shaft 8 by means of an end bearing assembly 9,but with hydraulically operated brake assembly 10 fixed to the lower end of shaft 8 used to slow rotation of the casing of motor 11 as required. (An alternative arrangement may have the brake assembly 10 mounted on the lower part of motor 4 and the shaft 8 fixed at its lower end to the casing of motor 11 but free to rotate relative to the casing of motor 4).Motor 11, which may also be a conventional, gasoline or electrical type drives vertical shaft 13 at the bottom end of which is joint 14 from which shafts 16 extend symmetrically and radially outwards and support a balanced set of weights 15 also arranged symmetrically about the vertical axis through shaft 13. Joint 14 allows shafts 16 to rotate vertically depending on the state of extension of the spacer shaft assembly 17 which is used to separate the weights 15 by hydraulic means or other remote controlled method, rotating joints 18 being provided at the outer end of said shaft 17.

In operation, the second motor 11 is started first and rotates freely about shaft 8 while shaft 17 is adjusted hydrauli cally to a midway position allowing vibration free contrary rotation of weights 15. The hydraulic brake 10 is then applied slowly to rotate the shaft 2 to a direction orthogonal to the intended direction of motion of the roll-about and then released, whereupon the first motor 4 is started which results in rotation of the spherical shell 1 about the motor 4 and suspended motor and weight assembly. If steep gradients are to be amounted, or rapid acceleration or braking are required, it is necessary to space the weights 15 further apart using the hydraulic spacer 17 and increase the power output of motor 11 as this will ensure stability. Steering of the sphere is enabled by judicial use of brake 10.

Referring to Sheet 1/5 Figure 2, an alternative: configuration of a roll-about is shown which has two stabilizing motors 11 and 31 driving contra-rotating balanced sets of weights 15 and 34 respectively. This configuration is basically similar to that described in Figure 1, but with two motors 11 and 31 fixed sym- metrically about the vertical axis through the shell centre below the lower end of motor 4 by flanges 22 . In this configuration, two brake units 10 are required for steering operating on shafts 13 and 32, thus one brake is used for left turning and the other for right turning. Te use of remotely controlled weight spacers 17 for both sets of weights 15 and 34 would also be beneficial.A third shaft brake 10 can also be fitted to the casing of motor 4 to controlrotation of shaft 2 and help .maintain stability on parking. Generally shaft brakes would not act directly on shafts, but on concentric flat discs fixed thereto.- A simple version of a roll-about for use as a toy would be fitted with three.motors 4, 11 and 31 as above and with contrarotating weights 15 and 34, however use of brakes would not be necessary, as control of steering and stopping could be by the motors only. However in a more sophisticated version, a centrally located brake could be fitted which would be driven to àct on either of the contra-rotating shafts, depending on the desired direction of steering.The roll-about can be fitted with radio controlled servos to actuate motors and brakes, in which case an antenna could be fitted within the shell 1, the shell and support brackets being made of some non-magnetic and non-conductive material, but receivers, antennae and servos would require screening from relatively strong fields caused by motor operation. Alternatively, pre-programmed movement can be added.

Referring to Sheet 2/5 Figure 3-, an alternative arrangement to that shown in Figure 1 is shown for the mounting of the second motor assembly in which shaft 8 is fixed at the upper end t6 motor 4 casing with support brackets 22, so that motor 11 casing complete with its lower assembly rotates relative to motor 4, with shaft 13 fixed relative to motor 11 by supports 22 with radial arms 16 attached to shaft 13 at their upper ends through freely rotatable joints 14 and at their lower ends through freely rotatable joints 18, from which hang weighted battery holders 23, the joints 18 being separated by remotely adjustable spacer 17.

As the battery holders 23 are freely hanging about joints 18, any liquid within their batteries will not be spilled when the motor assembly with its batteries rotates. This allows use of conventional lead-acid batteries to help enhance inertial stability and thus reduces the need for additional unuseful weights.

Referring to Sheet 2/5 Figure 4, a device for rotating the roll-about shell is shown in which the central hatched strip 24 of the shell 1 is free to rotate relative to the upperçand lower partial hemispheres 25 and 26 which may be tied together by magnetic attracter bars 27 or other device, the freedom of rotational movement being available by smoothly interlocking lubricated surfaces or by bearing assemblies between the shell sections. Motors 4 and 11 assemblies are mounted as.in the version of Figure 1 via a shaft 2 fixed at ends 3 to the inside of the shell strip 24.Also mounted on the inside of shell strip 24 is motor 28 fixed with drive shaft 29 in direction orthogonal to the shaft 2 so that the tyred wheel 30 at the driven end of shaft 29 has its perimeter at times close to the inside of shell half 26 and at times in contact with same, the perimeter of the wheel 30 being expanded by centripetal force to come into contact with the shell when the motor 28 is operated, thus forcing the shell 26 to rotate relative to shell strip 24. This function is useful in lining up access ways or transparent viewing panels in the shell, especially when the roll-about is parked.

Referring to Sheet 3/5 Figure 5, an alternative configuration of a.roll-about is shown which has two stabilizing motors 11 and 31 driving contra-rotating balanced sets of weights 15 and 34 respectively, the drive shaft 13 of motor 11 being free to rotate inside the hollow drive shaft 32 of motor 31. This configuration is basically similar to that described in Figure 1, with motor 11 suspended from the lower end of motor 4 hy fixed shaft 8, however in this case, the motor 11 casing is fixed relative to motor 4 by flanges 22 at both ends of shaft 8. Motor 31 which has a tubular hollow centre shaft 32 is in turn fixed relative to motor 11 casing by flanges 36, the drive shaft 32 rotating in an opposite direction to that of motor 11.In this configuration, two brake units 10 are required for steering, the upper unit fixed to the top end of motor 11 operates on the upper end of shaft 13, which extends through the upper part of the motor casing, while the lower unit which is fixed to the lower end of motor 31 operates on shaft 32, thus one brake is used for left turning and the other for right turning. The use of remotely controlled weight spacers 17 for both sets of weights 15 and 34 would also be beneficial. A third shaft brake 10 can also be fitted to the casing of motor 4 to control rotation of shaft 2 and help maintain stability on parking. Generally shaft brakes would not act directly on shafts, but on concentric flat discs fixed thereto.

In order to avoid using a special motor 31 with hollow shaft, an alternative arrangement would allow the use of a standard solid shaft motor 31 driving weights 34 directly through solid shaft 32, while weights 15.and shaft 13 could be driven indirectly from motor 11 by gears or sprocket and chain with additional offset driven shaft.

A simple version of -a roll-about for use as a .toy would be fitted with three motors 4, 1 and 31 as above and with contrarotating weights 15 and 34, however use of brakes would not be necessary, as control of steering and stopping would he by the motors only. The roll-about can he fitted with radio controlled motors, in which case an antenna could be fitted within the shell 1, which would be made of some flexible non-magnetic material, such as rubber and might be pressurised as a ball. Alternatively, pre-programmed movement can be added.

Referring to Sheet 3/5 Figure 6, an external view of a typical large scale roll-about shows clear viewing shell strips 37 oriented orthogonally to shaft 2 and on ither side , df the centre so that they would not normally be in contact with the ground. The remainder of shell 1 surface, particularly the central strip can be fitted with suspension pads 38 which may be square, round or any shape to afford traction and a smooth ride.

The pads 38 may be of rubber, plastic or other hard wearing, but soft material and may be supported from inside on springs or in flated as a ball. As the shell body rotates, any lighting system for night driving would have to be mountedfixed relative to the central drive motor 4 but extended close to the clear panels 37 to reduce backscatter of light.

Referring to Sheet 4/5 Figure 7, which shows a section through a typical roll-about yehicle for transporting people, the lighting system referred to above is mounted low down 44 and shielded from the driver who bperates controller 45, which controls motor speeds, brakes and lighting remotely, the whole assembly including seats 40 being mounted on frame 39 fixed in turn to motor 4 casing and suspended below shaft 2. In order to-allow a more comfortable ride, shaft 2 drives shell 1 which is mounted within outer frame or shell 42 by suitably damped springs 43.

Referring to Sheet 4/5 Figure 8, a roll-about for use over water or other unstable or slippery ground such as snow covered terrain or marshland is shown which would of course have a suitably light total weight and is provided with V-patterned tread and clear shell strips as in the version of Figure 6.

As the roll-about is typically spherically shaped and inherently strong, it is quite suitable for use as an underwater vehicle if made sufficiently heavy and could be used on the sea bed or for exploring prcssnrised conduits, where it has the advantage of manoeuverability.

Referring to Sheet 5/5 Figure 9, a possible suspension and traction system is shown for a roll-about consisting of an inflated cushion 47 of approximately square planform and made of rubber , polythene or other suitably hard wearing and resilient material, supported at the edges and in the middle by strong flexible straps 53 and 54 of steel or other suitable material, the straps being fixed at their outer end points 52 to sliding pillars 51 which pass through holes 50 at the junction of frame members 48 and 49 on shell 1, the straps being separated from the shell by. springs 56 between points 52 and 50 at each corner. The lower ends 57 of pillars 51 are tied by springs 60 to the adjacent frame members 58 on shell 1 at the junctions 59 with frame members 49 to provide lateral and longitudinal support.

Referring'to Sheet 5/5 Figure 10; an alternative form of suspension and traction is shown, wherein inflated spherical balls 61 of rubber or other suitably hard wearing and resilient material are held within slightly larger spheroidal shells or sub-frames 62 of steel or other strong material on the inner side of the shell 1 and having circular openings*on the shell surface somewhat smaller than the ball 61 diameters. The balls 61 are held against the opening by plates 64 of rubber coated steel or other frictionally resistant and strong material which are sprung from and tied to the spheroidal frames 62 by springs 63.

Referring to Sheet 5/5 Figure 11, a roll-about parking block 65 is shown which rests normally with its concave hemispherical side 66 uppermost to act like an egg cup with the roll-about as the egg. The sloping outer faces of the block 65 are slightly concave outwards to improve guidance during parking.

The adjacent upright parking stands 67 located on either side of the block are perforated with holes 68 at about 75mm centres vertically into which a retractable probe from the parked roll-about may be inserted. The roll-about driver may by inserting his probes 69 and jacking against them internally raise the roll-about slightly above the parking block and rotate its shell to a suitable position to allow him to exit from the vehicle with ease. The parking stands and probes must therefore be sufficiently strong to carry the weight of the vehicle plus occupants.

Claims (11)

1 A self propelled roll-about vehicle comprising a hollow shell of circular cross-section, within which is fixed relative to the shell a shaft through-the shell's diameter, from which is supported a drive motor assembly not being in direct contact with the shell, but being able when the motor iE running to rotate the shell and same shaft relative to the motor casing resulting in the motion of the shell and its contents in the same direction relative to the ground as the direction of the upper part bf the shell travels relative to the motor assembly, which itself remains below the shaft through the shell's diameter by v-irtue of its self weight under the influence of gravity, the stability of the drive motor assembly being improved by means of motor driven weights which rotate in a roughly horizontal plane about an axis or axes at right angles to the drive shaft through the shell diameter resulting in a high inertial stability.

2 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein one motor is used to drive the shell and its diametrical shaft while a second motor fixed to the lower end of the first motor by a second shaft is free to rotate about the second shaft axis and drives a set of balanced weights attached to the lower end of a third shaft, thus rotating in an opposite direction to said weights and with net zero resultant rotational force on the shell and first motor assembly, but with improved stability of the first motor assembly due to the inertial effects of the weights and second motor.

3 A self propelled roll-ahollt vehicle as claimed in Claim j wherein one motor is used to drive the shell and its diametrical shaft, while a second motor fixed to the lower end of the first motor drives a set of weights in one direction rotating about an axis orthogonal to the shell shaft and in a roughly horizontal plane and a third motor fixed to the lower end of the second motor drives a set of weights to rotate in a direction opposite to those of the second motor but also in å roughly horizontal plane thus improving stability of the first motor assembly due to the inertial effects of the two sets of rotating weights, but with minimal resultant rotational force acting on the shell and first motor assembly when both second and third motors are operating.

4 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein one motor is used to drive the shell and its diametrical shaft, while second and third motors fixed to the lower end of the first motor drive sets of weights in opposite directions rotating about axes symmetrically located about the shell diameter and orthogonal to the shell drive shaft, the weights rotating in a roughly horizontal plane thus improving stability of the first motor asseif,l due to the inertial effects of the two sets of rotating weights, but with minimal resultant rotational force acting on the shell and first motor assembly when both second and third motors are operating.

5 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed in Claims 1,2,3 or 4 above wherein a brake or brakes are fitted to slow rotation of the second or third motor shafts or the second motor supporting shaft resulting in a net rotational force being transmitted to the shell and first motor assembly and allowing steering of the vehicle.

6 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein a brake or brakes are fitted to slow rotation of the shell drive shaft relative to the 'first drive motor.

7 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein a variable speed motor or motors are used to promote a net rotational effect on the shell and first drive motor assembly resulting in steering of the vehicle.

8 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed in any preceding Claim in which an adjustable spacer is fitted between the rotating weights to permit greater or lesser inertia] stability of the motor assembly according to the requirements of the operational environment and terrain and to enable economy of operation.

9 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the vehicle is made suitable for transport of people by attachment of seats and controls to the first motor assembly and use of sprung inflated cushions or balls for suspension.

10 A self propelled roll-about vehicle as claimed'in any preceding Claim wherein all motors are remotely controlled by radio and the antenna is mounted within the shell.

11 A self propelled roll-about vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 11 of the accom pahying drawings.