WO2004018281A1

WO2004018281A1 - Multi-wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2004018281A1
Application number: PCT/DE2003/002769
Authority: WO
Inventors: Diana KÖCHER; Otto M. Steurer
Original assignee: Koecher Diana; Steurer Otto M
Priority date: 2002-08-19
Filing date: 2003-08-18
Publication date: 2004-03-04
Also published as: DE10393624D2; AU2003269677A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-wheeled vehicle (1, 201), which may be driven by muscle power, comprising a seat and a frame (2, 102, 202), whereby the pulling and/or pushing movements of the arms or legs of the rider may be transmitted by means of at least one coupling element to a drive axle (8, 208) and said coupling element is at least partly formed by a freewheel (18, 122). The aim of the invention is to produce a novel vehicle which converts muscle power into an efficient drive force. Said aim is achieved by means of a multi-wheeled vehicle (1, 201), in which the muscle power of the rider acts on the coupling element, either directly or through a gearbox, by means of the unwinding of at least one flexible force transfer element (15, 115, 215) from at least one drum (6, 206). The side of the flexible force transfer element (15, 115, 215) facing away from the coupling element is provided with handle or pedal elements (14, 214) and the coupling element is additionally provided with a spring-like mechanism (120) for rolling back up the flexible force transfer element (15, 115, 215).

Description

More wheeled vehicle

The invention relates to a multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power and has a seat and a frame in which pulling or pushing movements by the driver's arms or legs can be transmitted to a drive axle via at least one coupling element and the coupling element is at least partially formed by a freewheel , The multi-wheel vehicle is in particular a vehicle with four wheels that is suitable for children, young people and adults.

State of the art

Two-wheeled, three-wheeled and multi-wheeled vehicles in various designs and functionalities are known from the prior art. These multi-wheel vehicles differ on the one hand in the arrangement of the individual wheels, seating position but also in the type of drive. For example, pedal pedals can be provided as the drive, a pivoting movement of the pedal pedals being transmitted to a rotary movement of the rear axle or the wheels via a linkage.

Alternatively, it can be provided to provide a corresponding chain drive. DE 44 15 611 AI discloses a muscle power drive, in which the muscle power is transmitted to a drive car which is movable on a defined path and which transmits the force via a chain to a drive axle of a vehicle. In the description, the conventional muscle drives, namely pedal crank drive, rudder drive and connecting rod drive, are also discussed.

The known vehicles are generally steered via the front axle, a steering device being provided in the form of a steering wheel.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to create a new vehicle with simple technical means, which converts the muscle power into a driving force with high effectiveness and offers a large range of functionality.

Solution of the task

The object is achieved by a multi-wheel vehicle of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which the driver's muscular strength acts on the coupling element either directly or via a transmission by rolling off at least one flexible force transmission element from at least one drum, the flexible element on the side facing away from the coupling element Power transmission element handle or pedal elements are provided and the coupling element additional lent is provided with a spring-like mechanism for rewinding the flexible power transmission element.

One of the essential new and advantageous ideas of the invention is to implement the drive - in contrast to the prior art - not via a pull linkage but via a flexible power transmission element.

The flexible force transmission element can be belt-like, rope-like, wire-like, band-like or belt-like. The only decisive factor for the drive is that the flexible power transmission element can be stored on a drum and rolled off by it.

Attaching the flexible power transmission element to the

Drum prevents it from being completely removed from the drum.

A spring-like mechanism is attached to the coupling element, which ensures that the flexible force transmission element automatically rolls up again as soon as no force acts in the unwinding direction. When unrolling the flexible force transmission element, work must be done against the spring force of the reeling mechanism. The spring-like mechanism can be in the form of a preloaded spring or as an elastic material element. A mechanism with a magnetically or electrically generated torque is also conceivable.

When the flexible force transmission element is unrolled, the drum is set into rotation, which is transferred to the coupling element, which has the resulting driving force transmits directly or via further coupling elements to the drive axle.

The freewheel ensures that the rotation is passed on unhindered in the unwinding direction, even when the drum is no longer rotating, e.g. if the flexible force transmission element is unrolled to a maximum, or the drum rotates in the opposite direction when the flexible force transmission element is rewound.

In one possible embodiment, a freely movable grip or pedal element is attached to the free end of the flexible force transmission element, which lies opposite the end fixed to the drum. The flexible force transmission element can be guided via a guide element, for example a roller that is firmly connected to the frame. The driver actuates the drive by pulling or pushing the handle or pedal element, depending on whether the roller is located near the body or further away.

The grip element can be a pair of handles, so that the flexible force transmission element can be pulled with both hands or it can be pressed away from the body. The pedal element can be designed in the form of a pair of pedal hooks, so that the pedal element can be pressed and pulled with each foot.

In an advantageous development, at least one lever that is rotatable relative to the frame is attached to the frame. The free end of at least one flexible force transmission element is attached to this. At one end the lever has a grip or pedal element. The driver operates the drive with a

The lever is moved back and forth, with at least one movement direction a flexible power transmission element is rolled from its drum and generates a driving force.

The fulcrum of the lever can be located at one end. In this case, the free end of a flexible power transmission element is attached to the same side of the pivot point on which the handle or pedal element is also located.

However, the fulcrum can also be arranged such that the lever has two ends with respect to the fulcrum, so that the grip or pedal element is located at one end and the flexible force transmission element is fastened at the other end.

The lever keeps the driver's movement on a fixed path. The corresponding arrangement of the lever on the frame and the selection of the lever length can ensure that the driver's muscle power, in particular depending on his body mass, is optimally converted into a driving force.

An adjustability of the lever position and lever length enables the vehicle to be individually adapted to the driver and the 'sitting position' to grow with children and adolescents.

Two levers can also be attached to the frame, each of which acts on at least one flexible force transmission element, so that an alternate force transmission takes place through the arms or legs. The levers can generate the drive by synchronous or alternate movement. In an advantageous development of the invention, at least two flexible force transmission elements are provided on the multi-wheel vehicle, each of which can be rolled off a drum, the at least two flexible force transmission elements being coupled to one another at the ends opposite the drums and the drums being arranged such that one of the flexible ones Power transmission elements can be rolled up while the other is being unrolled.

When the handle or pedal element is moved back and forth, for example via a lever as described above, one of the flexible force transmission elements is unrolled in each direction of movement of the lever and therefore a driving force is generated in both directions of movement.

Both drums can be arranged on an axis of rotation. So that one drum rolls up while the other drum rolls, the winding directions must be in opposite directions.

The rotation of several drums can be transmitted via the coupling element either to a drive axis or to different axes.

In further advantageous embodiments of the invention the coupling element further force transmission element, for example, comprises a chain, and or with which the driving force is transmitted to the drive axis ^• a transmission.

For example, it can be provided that the coupling element with the drum for receiving a webbing is arranged next to or in the area of the drive axle, the coupling tion element comprises a transmission belt or a chain, by means of which it is connected to the drive axle via a tooth beard.

The freewheel can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the drum or on the drive axle.

In the presence of at least two flexible power transmission elements, a reversible drive can also be made possible by a switchable freewheel, that is to say the vehicle can also be driven backwards with the drive.

It can also be provided on the wheeled vehicle that, in order to reach a larger lever, the seat is not arranged rigidly, but rather - comparable to a rowing device on a slide.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the frame can be folded and / or dismantled. This feature can be implemented particularly well in connection with the present invention, because the drive takes place via a flexible force transmission element, which in principle is attached to the vehicle only via the coupling element, more precisely on the drum. For example, while a part of a dismountable bicycle, namely the part comprising the drive, is always larger than the other, the multi-wheel vehicle presented here can be dismantled according to its frame geometry. It does not matter how many wheels the vehicle has. As a rule, other four-wheel vehicles cannot be disassembled because the drive axle and drive are far apart and the drive means, such as the chain or connecting rod, cannot be disassembled.

The ability to disassemble or fold the vehicle is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is to be used as leisure or sports equipment. It can e.g. can be brought to all desired locations by car. Disassembled or folded, the vehicle fits into a trunk and does not require a roof rack or trailer.

The drive system presented here can lead to considerable driving speeds, so make sure that the vehicle has a stable position even in curves.

The invention is particularly advantageous if the muscle power can be converted into a driving force that acts on at least one of the rear wheels. The drive over the

The rear axle has already proven itself in many vehicles. If the vehicle has more than one rear wheel, the wheels can be suspended individually and the driving force only acts on one rear wheel axle. Alternatively, there can be a rear axle common to both rear wheels, but then it is more advantageous that the wheels are provided with a differential. Another essential concept of the multi-wheel vehicle presented here is that instead of a steering device in the form of a steering wheel, the front axle is pivoted in such a way that it can be steered with the front axle.

The steering can, for example, only be done with the feet. This means that no steering device has to be provided and the hands are free to achieve the propulsion by pressing and or pulling, that is to say by moving the flexible force transmission element.

Another alternative embodiment of the steering can consist in that the feet on the front axle can be adjusted to pedal-like designs. At the same time, these pedal-like designs are braking devices in such a way that a release of the braking device after flexing the foot and a braking effect is generated by extending the device. This pedal mechanism is based on the function of an aircraft control on the floor in the cockpit of an aircraft.

Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle can also be provided with hand brakes, which are connected, for example, to a handle element and operate a disc brake integrated in one of the wheels via a construction train. The multi-wheel vehicle is particularly advantageous if it is provided that the flexible force transmission element is moved by pulling and or pushing the arms. When using the arm forces • as with rowing, the whole body can be set in motion, the flexible traction path

Power transmission element is maximum and thus the body power can be optimally converted into driving force.

The vehicle can also be equipped with a chassis, which can be designed in different ways. It is conceivable that a carriage construction is provided on which the functional elements are arranged. As an alternative to this, it can be provided that aluminum pressed parts or aluminum milled parts are used which also give an optical classic impression. In addition, any body can be placed over the chassis, so that different racing cars are created depending on the customer area (for example a Formula 1 car, a soap box or a vintage car or the like).

Another of the main advantages of the vehicle is that it can be designed as required, depending on the area of application. It can be expanded from the simplest vehicle for children to toys and means of transportation for adults, for example shock absorbers, specially designed wheels or the like can be provided. Different speeds can be achieved by different ratios in the area of the freewheel.

An alternative application of the vehicle is to use it for the health and for the rehabilitation area, since certain areas of the body can be stressed in a targeted manner.

The vehicle is also suitable for physically impaired people, since the drive can be carried out by arms or legs alone.

The vehicle can also be used as a static training device. For this purpose, either the drive wheel or wheels are decoupled from the ground or the vehicle is equipped with a force absorption device, for example a flywheel, instead of wheels.

Furthermore, the free end of at least one flexible force transmission element can be connected to a displaceable seat. The driver or trainee can then generate a drive by pushes off with his feet and or Hän- ^■ the to attached to the frame supports or attracts to this, brings the seat in motion and dadurch- the flex- ible power transmission member from the drum rolls , The invention and thus the vehicle according to the invention offers a number of advantages and, in the combination of the features, a large number of new functional assemblies.

Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the following description and the claims.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a first side view of a schematic representation of the first embodiment; Figure 3 is a detailed side view of a schematic representation of a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along a horizontal plane of a third exemplary embodiment;

5 shows a sectional view according to line V-V in FIG. 4.

drawings

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the detail of a first exemplary embodiment of a multi-wheel vehicle 1 according to the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a frame 2 on which rear wheels 3, 4 are suspended. On an axis 5, which is rotatably connected to the frame 2, a drum 6 is arranged, the serves to accommodate a drawstring, not shown in this figure. The drive force generated by rotation of the drum 6 is transmitted to a drive axis 8 via a further force transmission element 7, a chain or a drive belt. The drive axle 8 couples to a rear wheel 4, while the other rear wheel 3 is suspended on a separate axle 9 that is not connected to the drive axle 8.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the same detail of a first exemplary embodiment of a multi-wheel vehicle 1 according to the invention, as in FIG. 1. In the side view, a lever 10 is shown, which is rotatably mounted at one end 12 relative to the frame 2 and at the other end 13 Has pair of handles 14. The flexible force transmission element to be unwound from the drum 6, here a tension band 15, is fastened approximately in the middle 16 of the lever 10. If the lever 10 is pulled in the direction 17 of the driver (not shown in the figure), the drawstring 15 is unrolled from the drum 6, the latter starts to rotate and the resulting driving force is transmitted via a freewheel 18 and a further force transmission element 7 transferred to the drive axle, not shown, whereby the rear wheel 4 experiences a drive.

If the lever 10 is pressed in the direction 19 away from the driver (not shown), the drawstring 15 rolls up again on the drum 6, the freewheel 18 ensuring that the reverse rotation of the drum 6 has no influence on the drive.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed side view of a second exemplary embodiment. Again, a tension band 115 is unrolled from a ... drum 106 and a return spring 120 ensures that the tension band 115 rolls up again on the drum 106 when there is no tensile load. In this example, however, the rotation of the drum 106 is transmitted directly to a chain 107, which transmits the drive force via a pinion 121 and a freewheel 122 to the drive axle, which is not shown in more detail in this figure.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view along a horizontal plane of a third embodiment. The multi-wheel vehicle 201 likewise comprises a frame 202. A drum 206 is mounted on an axle 205 which is fixedly connected to the frame 202 and which is used for storing, unrolling and rolling up a flexible force transmission element, not shown in this figure, in this case a belt webbing. serves. A pull on the belt belt causes the drum 206 to rotate, which is transmitted directly to the drive axle 208 via a freewheel, which is not shown in detail. On the side of the belt webbing facing away from the drum 206, it is steered via guide elements 223, 224 fixedly mounted on the frame 202. The front axle 225 together with the front wheels 226, 227 is rotatably mounted and can be used as a foot steering. FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the third exemplary embodiment along line VV in FIG. 4. The illustration shows the guidance of the belt strap 215, from the drum 206 via the guide elements 223, 224 to the pair of handles 214 of the lever 210, on which the .206 is turned away End of the webbing 215 is attached.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power and has a seat and a frame in which pulling or pushing movements by the driver's arms or legs can be transmitted to a drive axle via at least one coupling element and the coupling element is at least partially formed by a freewheel characterized in that - the muscular strength of the driver acts by rolling off at least one flexible force transmission element (15, 115, 215) from at least one drum (6, 106, 206) either directly on or via a transmission on the coupling element, - on the side of the coupling element facing away from the coupling element flexible force transmission element (15, 115, 215) handle or pedal elements (14, 214) are provided and - the coupling element is additionally provided with a spring-like mechanism (120) for rewinding the flexible force transmission element (15, 115, 215).

2. Multi-wheel vehicle drivable with muscle power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one lever (10, 210) is provided, which is arranged so as to be pivotable with respect to the frame (2, 202),

- the end opposite the coupling element of at least one flexible force transmission element (15,

115, 215) is connected to the lever (10, 210)

- And at one end of the lever (10, 210) the handle or pedal element (14, 214) is provided.

3. Multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two flexible force transmission elements (15, 115, 215) are provided on the multi-wheel vehicle (1, 201), each of which can be rolled off a drum (6, 106, 206) , wherein the at least two flexible force transmission elements (15, 115, 215) are coupled to one another at the ends opposite the drums (6, 106, 206) and the drums (6, 106, 206) are arranged such that one of the flexible force transmission elements (15, 115, 215) can be rolled up again while the other is being unrolled.

4. Multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element either acts directly on the drive axle (8, 208) or comprises a further force transmission element and or acts on the drive axle (8, 208) via a transmission ,

5. Multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that ^' the seat provided for the driver is displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (1, 201).

6. Multi-wheel vehicle drivable with muscle power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (2, 202) can be folded and / or dismantled.

7. Multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the muscle power can be converted into a driving force that acts on at least one of the rear wheels (3, 4).

8. Multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering is carried out by the front axle (225).

9. By brawn drivable More wheeled vehicle according egg ^• nem of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle is equipped with at least a foot brake and handbrake.

0. Multi-wheel vehicle that can be driven with muscle power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the muscle power is transmitted by an arm movement of the driver and the steering takes place with the feet.