WO2007096429A2

WO2007096429A2 - Man-powered vehicle for at least two users

Info

Publication number: WO2007096429A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/051807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ursula Clemens
Original assignee: Reklame Rad Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-02-26
Filing date: 2007-02-26
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: DE102007009483A1; WO2007096429A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a man-powered vehicle for at least two users. Said vehicle comprises seats for the at least two users and has a direction of movement B, and the muscular power of the users is transmitted to at least one drive wheel.

Description

Designation: Muscle-powered vehicle for at least two users

The subject of the present invention is a muscle-driven vehicle for at least two users having the features of the preamble of the main claim.

Muscle-powered vehicles of the aforementioned type are known from the prior art in many ways. Practically anyone who has ever made a holiday on the Dutch or Belgian North Sea coast, the muscle-powered bicycles for four to eight people are known in which two people sit side by side, with several rows of seats are arranged one behind the other. The people sitting on the bike look while driving in the direction of the direction of the bicycle. These multi-person bicycles are usually provided with a foot-operated pedal drive in which the muscle power of the user is transmitted via pedals on one or more drive wheels.

A disadvantage of these known from the prior art multi-person bicycles, however, is that the passengers can usually communicate easily within a row of seats with each other, a conversation over two or more rows of seats away, however, is usually not possible.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a muscle-powered vehicle for at least two users, in which an undisturbed communication of the user of the vehicle while driving is possible. This object is achieved by a muscle-powered vehicle having the features of the main claim.

Such a muscle-powered vehicle, which is intended for at least two users, but usually for a number of at least eight to ten users, has seats for the at least two users. The muscle-driven vehicle is intended to be moved forward or backward in a direction of movement B. In general, the vehicle will be controllable via a suitable steering device which acts on one or more steerable front or rear wheels of the vehicle. By means of the steering device so the direction of movement B of the vehicle can be influenced. The muscle-driven vehicle has at least two successively arranged wheels, of which at least one is designed as a drive, which is driven by the muscular force of the user.

According to the invention, it is now provided that the users in the ready-to-drive state sit transversely to the direction of movement B on the muscle-driven vehicle. This results in particular advantages when the user sitting in the ready to drive state of the muscle-driven vehicle either facing each other or sitting with the same direction side by side, but always transverse to the direction B.

In a particularly simple manner, such a seat arrangement of the user can be realized on the muscle-driven vehicle, when the muscle power of the user is transmitted to a drive shaft, the rotational movement is then transmitted to the at least one drive wheel. In this case, the drive shaft advantageously extends in the direction of movement B of the muscle-driven vehicle. The manner in which the users of the vehicle transmit their muscular force to the at least one drive wheel can basically be designed freely according to the techniques known from the prior art. Special advantages, however, arise when the muscle power of the user is transferred to the at least one drive wheel via hand or foot-operated pedals. It is also conceivable, however, a drive over hand or foot operated drive lever. Overall, constructive advantages for the vehicle according to the invention arise when the muscular force of the user drives a drive shaft whose rotational movement is subsequently transmitted to the at least one drive wheel. In particular, in this arrangement, it is advantageous if the drive shaft extends in the direction of movement B of the muscle-driven vehicle.

In a particularly advantageous development of the muscle-driven vehicle according to the invention, a table is provided on the vehicle. If the users of the vehicle have taken their seats, so that the vehicle is in running order, the table extends in front of these users. It is particularly advantageous if even the longest side of the table, thus the longitudinal axis A of the table, is oriented substantially in the direction of movement B of the vehicle. In this case, the table preferably has such an extent in the direction of the longitudinal axis A, which is so large that at least two users of the vehicle can sit side by side at the table. In advantageous developments, five or six seats can also be arranged along one longitudinal side of the table, wherein a user does not necessarily have to be able to contribute with his muscular strength to drive the vehicle from every seat.

As already mentioned, the direction of movement B of the muscle-driven vehicle is controllable by means of a steering device which is provided on the vehicle. In this case, the steering device is in particular designed such that it can be operated by at least one seat from the user sitting thereon.

Further advantages and features of the muscle-driven vehicle according to the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the embodiment, which is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. In this show:

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a muscle-driven vehicle according to the invention in a perspective view, and

2 shows a plan view of the hollow profile frame of the muscle-driven vehicle shown in FIG. 1, on which the wheels of the vehicle are shown are suspended and carries the drive mechanism and other structures of the vehicle.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a muscle-driven vehicle according to the present invention in a perspective view. The muscle-powered vehicle 1 is based on a hollow profile frame 10, at the corners of four wheels 20, 22 are suspended. The rear wheels of the vehicle 1 are designed as non-steerable drive wheels 20, the non-driven front wheels 22 are configured via a steering device 40 steerable. On the hollow profile frame 10, the drive mechanism of the vehicle 1 is further arranged, which will be discussed in detail below.

The vehicle 1 is intended to be moved in a direction of movement B in the forward or reverse direction, which is indicated by a corresponding arrow in Figure 1. Based on this direction of movement B, the vehicle 1 has a significantly greater length than width.

On the vehicle 1, a table 30 is arranged, whose longitudinal axis runs along the arrow marked A in FIG. In this case, the table relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1 has a significantly greater length than width, so that a plurality of seats 5 can be arranged on each of its longitudinal sides. In the embodiment shown, six seats 5 are arranged along each longitudinal side. The seats 5 form seats for the users of the vehicle 1 and, for example, each mounted as a bicycle saddle on a seat post, in particular also adjustable in height, be executed. Below the plate of the table 30, a knee protection 32 is arranged approximately at knee height of the user, which protect the legs of the user from contact with the below the plate of the table 30 arranged devices of the vehicle 1.

The hollow profile frame 10, which forms the chassis of the muscle-driven vehicle 1 according to the invention, furthermore carries four roof pillars 82, which are arranged essentially at the corners of the vehicle 1 and which carry the roof 80. Both the roof pillars 82 and the roof 80 can thereby consist of metallic materials, in particular of aluminum or steel sheet.

The steering device 40 of the muscle-driven vehicle 1 comprises a steering wheel 42, which is connected to a steering column 44, which engages at its lower end via a steering pinion 45 in a rack 46. As a result, a rotational movement of the steering wheel 42 in a translational movement of the rack 46 and subsequently converted into a pivoting movement of the associated non-driven steered wheels 22. The steering wheel 42 of the steering device 40 is arranged on the vehicle 1 so that it can be operated from the front seat 5 of the left row of seats (seen in the direction of travel). This seat can be - unlike the other - equipped with a hard shell seat to improve the comfort of the vehicle driver 1.

Furthermore, a braking device 50 is provided on the vehicle 1, which allows influencing the speed of the moving vehicle 1. The braking device 50 is operated via a brake pedal 52, which is also operable from that seat 5, on which the steering wheel 42 is arranged. The braking device 50 may include a plurality of suitable braking devices (not shown), which may be arranged on the wheels 20, 22 of the vehicle 1 and brake them independently of one another. Suitable braking devices are, for example drum o disc brakes.

Furthermore, at that seat 5, on which the steering wheel 42 of the steering device 40 is arranged, also provided a hand lever 62 for a parking brake device 60, which serves to prevent movement of the vehicle 1 in the parked state. In this case, the parking brake device 60 preferably independent of the brake device 50 lock, acting on the non-steered drive wheels 20, for example. The parking brake device 60 is actuated via the hand lever 62.

The already mentioned drive mechanism, which serves to transmit the muscle power of at least two users to the drive wheels 22, is realized in the illustrated embodiment via pedals 25, with which each user via a chain 27 one of two centrally arranged drive shafts 15th (both not shown) drives. In this case, not every seat 5 of the vehicle 1 is equipped with a corresponding drive mechanism in the illustrated embodiment. Rather, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that the seat 5, which is arranged above the drive wheels 20, is not equipped with any drive mechanism, since there is a space problem here. Of course, it is also possible with sufficient space available readily not to equip all seats 5 of the vehicle 1 with its own drive mechanism. For example, a seat for passengers can be provided in the rear area of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a beverage storage container 70, which is arranged in the illustrated embodiment in the front region of the vehicle 1. The beverage storage container 70, which receives up to 501 of a drink in the embodiment shown, is connected to a dispenser 72, which is arranged on the counter-like table 30 that it can be operated by at least one seated on his seat 5 user of the vehicle 1 to provide all passengers with refreshing drinks while driving. Furthermore, a double sink for gastronomic purposes is arranged on the tap 72, which is supplied from a below the table 30 fresh water tank (not shown) with water.

In order to improve the appearance of the vehicle 1, the beverage storage container 70 can also be arranged in a visually appealing "receptacle", which can also be designed as an insulated vessel ") of a beverage container, which can have 20, 30 or even 401 capacity. Furthermore, a carbon dioxide dispensing system can be arranged in the receptacle.

Not explicitly apparent from Figure 1, the further equipment of the vehicle 1 according to the invention with an on-board power supply, which may be formed for example by a truck accumulator. Furthermore, a generator may be provided on the vehicle 1, which converts its kinetic energy - especially during braking - into electrical energy during operation of the vehicle and uses it to charge the accumulator. Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with headlights and taillights and an optical direction indicator, so that the vehicle can participate in the traffic even in poor visibility. These traffic lighting devices are as well supplied, for example, in the roof area of the vehicle 1 further lighting body over the on-board power supply.

This power supply furthermore supplies an integrated multimedia entertainment system, which in the simplest case can consist of a music reproduction device, but in more complex embodiments of the vehicle according to the invention it can also comprise an image display unit together with the associated media playback device.

Finally, the vehicle 1 according to the invention in the roof area, in particular on the roof, mounting options for advertising signs, so that the vehicle 1 according to the invention can also be used as a advertising wheel or can be provided with signs, for example. indicate the tour group, the occasion or the organizer of the trip. Also, a console for mounting a confetti or Bonbonkanone is provided on the roof. In this area, moreover, an electrical connection for a connection of an electrically operated gun or a illuminated advertising sign with the onboard power supply is provided.

FIG. 2 shows the hollow profile frame 10 together with the drive mechanism mounted thereon and the wheels 20, 22 of the vehicle 1 suspended thereon according to FIG. 1 in a plan view. All belonging to the roof structure, the table 30 and the seats 5 components are not shown in this view for reasons of clarity, since essentially only the construction of the drive mechanism should be clarified.

The hollow profile frame 10 is constructed of seamless drawn metal tubes which are welded together. Suitable for this purpose are in particular tubes made of steel or aluminum. In addition, the use of open metal profiles is possible. The hollow profile frame 10, the drive wheels 20 and the steered front wheels 22 are suspended suspended, the sprung suspension is not shown here in detail. The driven rear wheels 20 are respectively connected to a driven half-shaft 21, which in turn is connected to the output of a differential gear 19. Furthermore, two along the direction of movement B oriented drive shafts 15 are rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 16 on cross members 11 which extend between the longitudinal sides of the hollow profile frame 10. On each drive shaft 15, a positive coupling gear 17 is arranged, wherein the drive shafts 15 are mounted side by side so that the Zwangkopplungszahnräder 17 are in engagement with each other and cause a forced coupling of the drive shafts 15. Furthermore, a gear of a reduction gear 18 is arranged on a drive shaft 15, which is formed in the embodiment shown here in one stage using two gears. The second gear of the reduction gear 18 is connected to the input side of the differential gear 19, so that a rotational movement of the drive shafts 15 is transmitted via the reduction gear 18 to the differential gear 19, of these on the half shafts 21 and here on the drive wheels 20. In a further development of the vehicle 1 according to the invention, the reduction gear 18 is designed as a multi-stage transmission, so that a certain over- or reduction spectrum covered and the vehicle 1 can thus be moved over a larger speed range.

The steerability of the vehicle 1 is realized via a conventional rack and pinion steering of the non-driven front wheels 22, wherein the suspension of the front wheels 22 required for this purpose is likewise not explicitly shown. Shown, however, is the rack 46, in which the steering pinion 45 engages, which is connected via the steering column 44 with the steering wheel 42. For the realization of the steering device 40 can be used in particular on prefabricated assemblies, for example, for the construction of agricultural machinery.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, on each longitudinal side of the vehicle 1, a plurality of seats 5 (five seats 5 per longitudinal side in the exemplary embodiment shown) are equipped with a drive mechanism via which a user seated on a seat 5 can apply his or her muscular strength to one of the two drive shafts 15 can transmit. For this purpose, each seat is equipped with a set of pedals 25, with the aid of which a rotational movement generated by the muscular force of the user is transmitted via a chainring 26 which is rigidly connected to the pedal 25. is tied, with the interposition of a chain 27 can be transmitted to a pinion 28. This pinion 28 is mounted on the drive shaft 15 by means of a freewheel 29. If the pedals 25 of the drive mechanism of a seat 5 are actuated, the pinion 28 is driven via the chain 27, the drive shaft 15. However, a user is not forced to constantly move the pedals 25 when driving the vehicle 1, since between the drive shaft 15 and the pinion 28 of its drive mechanism, a freewheel 29 is arranged so that the pinion 28 can run freely on the rotating drive shaft 15.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, only one drive shaft 15 is provided, with which then the drive mechanism of the individual seats 5 is connected. In the simplest case, this can also be a drive shaft 15 analogous to the reproduced in Figure 2 embodiment in the direction of rotation B and be connected via an angle gear with at least one drive wheel 20 of the vehicle 1.

In a further embodiment, which is not shown here, two drive shafts are provided analogously to the representation according to FIG. 2, which are each driven by seats 5 which are arranged on a longitudinal side of the vehicle 1. On a forced coupling of the drive shafts 15 is omitted here, but each drive shaft 15 is connected via an angular gear directly to a half-wave 21 and thus drives a drive shaft 15 associated drive wheel 20 at. This construction makes it possible to completely dispense with a differential gear 19, since the right and left side driving drive shafts 15 can rotate independently at different speeds, as well as rigidly connected to them right and left drive wheels 20, so that a turn easily becomes possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I Vehicle 52 Brake pedal 5 Seats 60 Parking brake device

10 hollow profile frame 62 hand lever

I I Crossmember 70 beverage storage container

15 drive shafts 72 dispensing system

16 storage blocks 80 roof

17 Forced coupling gear 82 Dachsäulen

18 reduction gear

19 differential gear

20 drive wheels

21 half-wave

22 front wheels

25 pedals

26 chainring

27 chain

28 pinions

29 freewheel

30 table

32 knee protection

40 steering device

42 steering wheel

44 Steering column

45 steering pinions

46 rack

50 braking device

Claims

claims

1. A muscle-powered vehicle (1) for at least two users, the vehicle having seats for the at least two users and a direction of movement B, and the muscular force of the user is transmitted to at least one drive wheel (20), characterized in that the users are ready to drive Condition on the vehicle (1) sit transversely to the direction of movement B.

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a user transmits his muscular strength via hand or foot operated pedals (25) on the drive wheel (20).

3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the muscular force of the user drives a drive shaft (15) whose rotational movement is transmitted to the at least one drive wheel (20), said drive shaft (15) extending in the direction of movement B.

4. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the users sitting in the running state of the vehicle (1) either face each other or sitting side by side with the same direction.

5. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the vehicle (1) a table (30) is provided which extends in the ready to drive state of the user in front of these.

6. Vehicle (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the table (30) has a longitudinal axis A, which is oriented substantially in the direction of movement B.

7. Vehicle (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the table (30) in the direction of the longitudinal axis A has an extension L, which is sufficient that at least two users can sit side by side on the table (30).

8. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a steering device (40) is provided on the vehicle, with which the direction of movement B can be influenced and which is operable from at least one seat (5) by a user.

9. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a braking device (50) is provided on the vehicle, with which the speed of the vehicle (1) in the direction of movement B can be influenced, wherein the braking device (from at least one seat can be operated by a user.

10. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a parking brake device (60) on the vehicle (1) is provided, with which the vehicle (1) can be secured in the state against unintentional movement.

11. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that two mutually parallel drive shafts (15) are provided.

12. Vehicle (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the drive shafts (15) are positively coupled.

13. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that between the drive shaft (15) and driven axle, on which the drive wheel (20) is mounted, an angle gear is arranged.

14. Vehicle (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that two independently rotatable drive wheels (20) are provided, which are mounted on driven half-shafts (21), and that between the drive shaft (15) and the half-shafts (22) Differential gear (19) is arranged.

15. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a hollow profile frame (10) is provided, on which the wheels (20, 22) of the vehicle (1) are suspended and which carries the drive mechanism.