WO2011003563A1

WO2011003563A1 - Hovercraft toy

Info

Publication number: WO2011003563A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/004064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Zieger
Original assignee: Patrick Zieger
Priority date: 2009-07-07
Filing date: 2010-07-06
Publication date: 2011-01-13
Also published as: DE102009032181A1

Abstract

The invention is based on a toy vehicle with a drive unit (20) and with at least one current connector (72, 74) for transmitting external electric power to the drive unit (20). It is proposed that the drive unit (20) comprises at least one means for producing an air flow which is provided to produce a propulsive force.

Description

Air cushion toy vehicle prior art

The invention relates to a toy vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

There are already toy vehicles with an air cushion and its own power supply known.

Advantages of the invention

The invention is based on a toy vehicle with a drive unit and with at least one current collector for the transmission of external electrical energy to the drive unit. In this context, a "current collector" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a mobile part of a device for transmitting electrical energy, which produces electrical contact, in particular a sliding contact, with one or more immovably installed electrical lines. It is proposed that the drive unit comprises at least one means for generating an air flow, which is intended to provide a propulsion force. In this context, a "driving force" should be understood as meaning, in particular, a force which causes the toy vehicle to move both freely and forcibly in one direction of travel, thereby making full use of the ambient air everywhere and using parts such as axles and small parts The toy vehicle can advantageously be operated in a simple manner without an internal power supply and with a low inherent weight Preferably, the drive unit includes an electric motor for driving a means for generating the air flow formed by a propeller. Preferably, the propeller has a number of blades between two and five, a rated speed of the electric motor may advantageously be more than 15,000 rpm, preferably more than 50,000 rpm and more preferably more than 70,000 rpm Other means, such as axial fan or jet engines, conceivable for generating the air flow.

In an advantageous embodiment, the drive unit comprises at least one means for generating an air flow, which is intended to achieve at least partial elevation of a substrate. In this context, an "at least partial increase" should be understood to mean, in particular, that the toy vehicle has a lower weight force in a switched-on operating state and on a spring balance than in a completed one. switched operating state. Advantageously, an apparent weight loss is more than 50 percent, more preferably more than 70 percent of the weight of the toy vehicle. As a result, a particularly simple and low-friction locomotion of the toy vehicle can be achieved.

It is also proposed that the means for generating the air flow to provide a driving force and the means for generating the air flow for at least partially raising at least partially formed in one piece. This can be provided by a saving of parts and material, a cost-effective solution. Advantageously, the generated air flow can be split and directed in different directions.

If the toy vehicle has at least one baffle for diverting the generated air flow, an at least partial increase can be achieved in a particularly simple and effective manner. Preferably, the means for generating the airflow may generate an airflow having substantially a velocity component opposite to a desired travel direction. In this context, "substantially" should be understood to mean more than 50 percent and in particular more than 70 percent. [Vorzugsweise Vorzugsweise] By means of an arrangement of the at least one baffle surface arranged downstream of the means for generating the air flow, a part of the generated air flow can be directed in a direction opposite to gravity Particularly advantageously, a plurality of baffles can be arranged so that they form a section of an air duct, the one Part of the generated air flow leads in a direction of gravity opposite direction. Advantageously, a connection of the section of the air duct to the toy vehicle with a plug connection, wherein the toy vehicle has several options for plug connection with the section of the air duct, so that a quick adjustment of an arrangement of the section of the air duct allows for trimming by changing a weight distribution can be. In this context, "trimming" is to be understood in particular as meaning a horizontal position of the toy vehicle and a coincidence of a center line of the toy vehicle with the actual or planned direction of travel, both without travel in the direction of travel and during travel of the toy vehicle in the direction of travel.

With particular advantage, the toy vehicle on an air cushion apron, which is intended to form a sealing gap with the ground. As a result, an escape of the generated air flow for the at least partial increase of the subsurface can be slowed down advantageously and energy-saving. Preferably, polymer foils with incorporated or without incorporated fiber materials for reinforcement, in particular polyethylene (PE), and / or polyurethane (PU) hard foam may advantageously be used to produce the airbag apron. It is particularly advantageous for the airbag apron to have a spacing width in a region of a rear structure of the toy vehicle which is reduced in relation to the spacing width in a region of a front structure. As a result, escape of the generated air flow can be avoided when cornering at the edges of the ground and the at least partial elevation of the subsurface is maintained. Preferably, a shape of the airbag apron with a reduced distance width in a plan view in the region of the rear of the toy vehicle is designed substantially as an isosceles triangle, wherein preferably an angle at a tip of the triangle is between 30 and 70 degrees. By "substantially", it should be understood in this context that a surface of a largest isosceles triangular in area that can be inscribed in a top view of the airbag apron in the rear of the toy vehicle, at least 70 percent, more preferably at least 85 percent of the air cushion apron encloses bounded surface.

In addition, it is proposed that the at least one means for generating an air flow is formed by an impeller unit. In this context, an "impeller unit" should be understood to mean, in particular, a propeller with a casing which is arranged at least partially at a distance along a circumference described with a rotation of tips of the blades of the propeller and essentially has a cylinder jacket shape be generated by the means in a particularly efficient way.

If the toy vehicle comprises at least one vertical tail, a particularly stable propulsion movement can be achieved. After passing through a curve, the toy vehicle can be aligned by an interaction of a wind with the at least one rudder. Preferably, the at least one fin can be considered during operation of the toy vehicle may be formed substantially perpendicular to the ground and aligned parallel to a central axis of the toy vehicle, flat surface. Advantageously, the at least one vertical stabilizer may be formed by a plurality of surfaces which contact one another at edges and which are essentially aligned perpendicularly to the substrate and whose arrangement in a plan view has a Y-shape.

In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one vertical stabilizer has at least one rudder for trimming. By adjusting the at least one rudder, a stable position in the desired direction of travel can be achieved and a lateral drift of the toy vehicle associated with energy losses can be avoided.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one rudder on at least one adjusting means for adjusting an arrangement position. As a result, alignment of the toy vehicle after passing through a curve can be optimized. Preferably, a connection of at least one tail to the toy vehicle with a plug connection, wherein the toy vehicle has several options for plug connection with the at least one tail, so that a rapid adjustment of an arrangement of the at least one tail can be made possible.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the toy vehicle has at least one guide keel for guiding the direction. Preferably, the at least one guide keel is arranged on an underside of the toy vehicle. Advantageously, the game vehicle thereby operated on one of the widely used model car racing tracks with guide grooves, whereby a stable driving operation of the toy vehicle along a track of the car racing track can be achieved. Particular advantages with regard to the stable driving operation, in particular in the case of curve passages, can arise if the toy vehicle comprises at least one second guide keel for directing the direction. Advantageously, a connection of the at least second Leitkiels done to the toy vehicle with a plug connection, wherein the toy vehicle has several options for plug connection with the at least second Leitkiel, so that a rapid adjustment of an arrangement of the at least second Leitkiels can be made possible. Preferably, the at least one pantograph of the toy vehicle can be arranged laterally of the at least one guide keel, in order to remove electrical energy for transmission to the drive unit from a busbar usually arranged next to the guide grooves of the model car raceway. A drive pulse for accelerating and decelerating can take place via a conventional driver at car racing tracks. Advantageously, both the at least one Leitkiel and the at least one pantograph be equipped with quick-change connections, preferably by a combined plug-and-turn motion allow a quick solution of or attachment to the toy vehicle.

In an advantageous embodiment, the toy vehicle has at least one spring element, which is provided to generate a restoring force in the direction of a neutral position of the at least one Leitkiels. Under a "neutral position" of Leitkiels in this context, in particular an orientation of the at least one Leitkiels are understood during straight travel of the toy vehicle. Due to the provision of the at least one guide keel, the stable driving operation of the toy vehicle can be achieved again particularly quickly after a curve passage.

It is also proposed that the toy vehicle has an adjusting device for adjusting an arrangement position of the at least one means for generating an air flow. By adjusting the arrangement position and an associated change in weight distribution and a change in air flow conditions can be advantageously achieved the trim of the toy vehicle. Preferably, the adjustment of the arrangement position can be carried out parallel to a direction of travel of the toy vehicle. Advantageously, a maximum adjustment in the direction of travel amount to more than two percent, preferably more than five percent and more preferably more than eight percent of a measured over all length of the toy vehicle. In addition or alternatively, the adjustment of the adjustment can advantageously take place in a rotational manner, whereby further possibilities for a compensation trim of the toy vehicle are created. In this case, a maximum adjustment angle is advantageously more than three degrees, preferably more than five degrees and particularly preferably more than eight degrees.

It is also proposed that the toy vehicle has at least one dynamic buoyancy element for generating a buoyancy force. In this context, a "dynamic buoyancy element" should in particular be understood to mean an element on which a buoyancy force acts, if the element and the ambient air move relative to each other. By means of the at least one dynamic buoyancy element, the driving characteristics of the toy vehicle can be optimized by changes in the apparent weight distribution during the driving operation in relation to a stable position. Advantageously, the dynamic buoyancy element can be arranged in a suction region of the at least one means for generating an air flow, so that the generation of the air flow and the travel wind existing during the driving operation jointly advantageously contribute to a buoyancy force.

Moreover, it is proposed that the toy vehicle has at least one digital chip for digital control. As a result, it is advantageously possible to enable operation of a plurality of toy vehicles on a lane and a lane change on a switch in a manner known in model railways and model racing cars.

If the at least one digital chip is provided to set the means for generating an air flow for at least partial elevation from the ground into operation, as long as the at least one pantograph transmits external electrical energy, then the toy vehicle is advantageous immediately after insertion of the at least a Leitkiels in one of the grooves of the Modellautorennbahn ready for a propulsion movement.

It is also proposed that a substantial amount of space of a material used for the production of polyphenylene ether (PPE) and / or expanded polypropylene (EPP) and / or polyurethane (PU) foam is formed, whereby a mecha- nisch stable toy vehicle with low weight and good driving characteristics can be provided. In this context, a "substantial proportion of space" is to be understood as meaning in particular a volume-related proportion of advantageously more than 60 percent, preferably more than 70 percent and particularly preferably more than 80 percent.

drawing

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The description and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows an inventive toy vehicle in a

Top view,

Fig. 2 shows the toy vehicle according to FIG. 1 in a

Side view and

Fig. 3, the toy vehicle according to FIG. 1 in a

Front view. Description of the embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a toy vehicle according to the invention in a plan view. The toy vehicle has a base frame 10 with superstructures and substructures and a symmetry line 16, which defines a direction of travel 18 of an ideally trimmed toy vehicle in the stationary state. The direction of travel 18 has in the side view of FIG. 2 from right to left. The toy vehicle comprises a drive unit 20, which includes a device designed as a two-bladed propeller 22 for generating an air flow and an electric motor 26 for driving the propeller 22. The propeller 22 and the electric motor 26 are aligned axially parallel and substantially horizontally and arranged on a motor carrier unit 28. In connection with a ring 42 which surrounds the propeller 22 (FIG. 3) and which is fastened to both sides of the base frame 10 with a respective base element 44, 46, the means for generating the air flow forms an impeller unit 48 has a particularly good flow efficiency. A direction of rotation of the electric motor 26 is selected so that the propeller 22 in the side view of Fig. 2 in a driving operation sucks ambient air from the left and conveys to the right. The air flow is intended to provide a driving force in the direction of travel 18. The electric motor 26 at a rated speed of 30,000 rpm is connected to electrical leads with two current collectors 72, 74 formed by sliding contacts, which are arranged on a front structure 12 of the base frame 10 as substructures (FIG. 2) and for the transmission of external electrical energy the drive unit 20 are provided. On the base frame 10 of the toy vehicle a baffle 34 inclined at an angle of 45 degrees to a vertical in the direction of travel 18 for redirecting the generated air flow to achieve at least partial elevation of the toy vehicle is arranged (FIG. 2). Together with two side guide surfaces 36, 38, the baffle 34 forms an air channel 40 through which a proportion of 60 percent of the generated air flow is diverted downwards and generates a back pressure, which counteracts a weight force of the toy vehicle. The redirected and jammed airflow exits between a substrate 80 and an airbag skirt 62 attached to the base frame 10, which is formed by a polyethylene (PE) pipe and intended to form a sealing gap with the substrate 80. The airbag skirt 62 has in the region of a rear end 14 of the toy vehicle perpendicular to the line of symmetry 16 measured, compared to the region of the front structure 12 reduced spacing width (Fig. 1) to prevent escape of the air flow generated when the rear end 14 during a curve passage through a centrifugal force is urged to the edge of the substrate 80.

The drive unit 20 thus comprises a means for generating an air flow, which is intended to achieve at least partial lifting of the substrate 80. In this case, the impeller unit 48 at the same time forms the means for generating the air flow to provide a driving force and, in interaction with the air duct 40, the means for generating the air flow for at least partially raising the toy vehicle, so that both means are partially formed integrally to produce the air currents.

Between the two current collectors 72, 74, a guide keel 68, which can be pivoted to the left and to the right, is arranged on the underside of the toy vehicle for directional guidance (FIG. 2). The Leitkiel 68 is intended to guide the toy vehicle in a guide groove 78 of a Autorennbahnschiene 82, so that the toy vehicle while driving by the driving force of the generated air flow of the guide groove 78 of the Autorennbahnschiene 82 follows. The two current collectors 72, 74 and the Leitkiel 68 are attached to a hub 84 which is rotatably mounted in the base frame 10. The hub 84 has on each side depending on a spring element 70 which is intended to generate a restoring force of the Leitkiels 68 in the direction of a neutral position.

On the rear frame 14 of the base frame 10 are two vertical stabilizers 50, 52, arranged with connectors 58 and matrices 60 adjusting means for adjusting their arrangement positions, arranged as structures of the base frame 10 for stabilizing a propulsion movement of the toy vehicle. When the toy vehicle while driving the guide groove 78 of the Autorennbahnschiene 82 follows a straight line and urges due to instability of the rear 14 from the direction of travel 18 to the side, then generates a relative wind on the vertical stabilizer 50, 52, a restoring force, the rear triangle 14 back into a stable driving position leads back.

Both vertical stabilizers 50, 52 each have a rudder 54, 56 for trimming. In a normal position the Rudder 54, 56 are aligned with the respective rudder 50, 52. If one of the rudders 54, 56 unscrewed from the normal position, then the air flow generated to provide the propulsion force causes a laterally directed to the toy vehicle force with which reaches a lateral orientation of the toy vehicle can be.

Between the base elements 44, 46 of the impeller unit 48, a buoyancy element 64, which is formed by a substantially rectangular, plane-parallel plate, is arranged in a suction region 24 for generating a buoyancy force. The plane-parallel plate is set with the direction of travel in front arranged side at an angle against a horizontal upward, so that it raises the front of the toy vehicle 12 when driving through the wind and the air flow generated by the Impellereinheit 48. The buoyancy element 64 is mounted on its two narrow sides with pins 66 in the base elements 44, 46 of the impeller unit 48, so that the angle of the plane-parallel plate is adjustable to the horizontal for the purpose of trimming and to optimize the sliding properties of the toy vehicle.

The motor support unit 28 is equipped with an adjusting device 30 for adjusting an arrangement position of the means for generating an air flow formed by the propeller 22 and the electric motor 26. The adjustment device 30 allows secured by screw elements 32 adjustment of the arrangement position of the propeller 22 and the electric motor 26 relative to the base frame 10 of the toy vehicle by 15 millimeters, corresponding to a length fraction of about nine percent, thus providing ample opportunity to change a weight distribution for the purpose of trim.

On the front frame 12 of the base frame 10 is near the pantographs 72, 74 and with these in electrical contact a digital chip 76 attached to a digital control of the toy vehicle. The digital chip 76 is connected in a circuit to the electric motor 26 and the current collectors 72, 74. In a known manner, thereby an individual control of the toy vehicle with a driver even when a lane change and operation of multiple toy vehicles in the guide groove 78 of the autorennbahnschiene 82 is possible.

The base frame 10, the vertical stabilizers 50, 52, the engine mount unit 28 and the air duct 40 are formed as expanded polypropylene (EPP) web plates so that a substantial amount of space of expanded polypropylene (EPP) material used to make the toy vehicle is formed.

Reference sign

10 base frame 64 buoyancy element

12 front end 66 spigots

14 Rear end 68 Guiding keel

16 symmetry line 70 spring element

18 direction of travel 72 pantographs

20 Drive unit 74 pantographs

22 propeller 76 digital chip

24 suction area 78 guide groove

26 Electric motor 80 Underground

28 Engine carrier unit 82 Autorennbahnschiene

30 Adjustment device 84 Turntable

32 screw element

34 baffle

36 side guide

38 side guide

40 air duct

42 ring

44 basic element

46 base element

48 impeller unit

50 vertical stabilizer

52 vertical stabilizer

54 rudders

56 rudders

58 connectors

60 plug-in grids

62 air cushion apron

Claims

claims

1. toy vehicle with a drive unit (20) and with at least one current collector (72, 74) for transmitting external electrical energy to the drive unit (20),

characterized in that

the drive unit (20) comprises at least one means for generating an air flow, which is intended to provide a driving force.

2. toy vehicle according to claim 1,

characterized in that:

the drive unit (20) comprises at least one means for generating an air flow, which is intended to achieve an at least partial lift from a base (80).

3. toy vehicle according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the means for generating the air flow for providing a driving force and the means for generating the air flow for at least partially raising at least partially formed in one piece.

4. Toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

at least one baffle surface (34) for redirecting the generated air flow to achieve the at least partial increase.

5. toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

an air bag skirt (62) intended to form a sealing gap with the ground (80).

6. toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

at least one means for generating an air flow is formed by an impeller unit (48).

7. Toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

at least one rudder (50, 52) for stabilizing a propulsion movement.

8. toy vehicle at least according to claim 7,

characterized in that

the at least one rudder (50, 52) has at least one rudder (54, 56) for trimming.

9. toy vehicle at least according to claim 7,

characterized in that

the at least one vertical stabilizer (50, 52) has at least one adjustment means for adjusting an arrangement position.

10. Toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

at least one Leitkiel (68) for directional guidance.

11. toy vehicle according to claim 10,

marked by

at least one spring element (70) which is provided to generate a restoring force in the direction of a neutral position of the at least one guide keel (68).

12. Toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

an adjusting device (30) for adjusting an arrangement position of the at least one means for generating an air flow.

13. Toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

at least one dynamic buoyancy element (64) for generating a buoyancy force.

14. Toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

at least one digital chip (76) for digital control.

15. toy vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

a substantial proportion of space of a used production material of polyphenylene ether (PPE) and / or expanded polypropylene (EPP) and / or polyurethane (PU) - is formed rigid foam.