Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K3/00—Bicycles
  • B62K3/005—Recumbent-type bicycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K3/00—Bicycles
  • B62K3/02—Frames
  • B62K3/10—Frames of single-beam type, i.e. connecting steering head to rear axle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
  • B62K5/02—Tricycles

Definitions

• the invention relates to an ecological and economical vehicle for the transportation of persons, including their hand baggage, suitable mainly in urban and suburban traffic, for recreation, for sport, and for other purposes.
• a particular danger is presented by the handlebars.
• the eventual fall over the handlebars during a frontal collision usually occurs in fractures of the limbs and severe injuries of the abdomen and spine, and especially the head.
• the differing load on the front and rear wheels also acts negatively on slippery terrain.
• Using the front wheel to steer results in insufficient illumination of the corner towards which the vehicle is traveling when turning a corner at night, because permanently mounted spotlights illuminate only in a straight line. Solutions that eliminate this effect are expensive and unreliable.
• the disadvantage of this design is in the difficulty of maintaining driving stability, especially when starting and stopping, and in the unprotected position of the feet, which are exposed to the possibility of injury during a frontal impact.
• the "recumbent tricycle” is also known, with two wheels on the steerable front axle and with a rear drive wheel in a fixed rear fork.
• An alternative design with two steerable rear wheels is described e.g. in patent applications DE 196 096 28 Al, DE 197 28 150 Al, DE 198 24 576 Al, and NL 103 5799.
• Patent application DE 102 39 357 Al describes a folding tricycle with two front wheels steerable by using a handlebar and with the rear wheel driven by pedals.
• a similar concept is also described in the utility model CZ 9 779 Ul.
• the tricycle with a very low center of gravity, with a tubular frame bearing a seat for the rider whose legs are propped in fixed footrests on the fork of the front wheel.
• the tricycle drive is resolved by a manual crank mechanism, and the front wheel is also powered and steerable.
• the tricycle powered by hands is particularly suitable for the disabled or for athletes strengthening their arm muscles, but not for normal traffic, since the arm-powered drive is physically very demanding.
• Some vehicles have the front part of the frame raised, but in such a way that the construction does not allow for a change in the seat position of the rider relative to the pedals, and in general is a single- purpose construction which does not allow for the necessary versatility with respect to the rider, types of power drive, and types of undercarriages.
• most known vehicles of this type are not suitable for the elderly or for persons with reduced mobility. None of the known constructions resolve the problem of luggage space and a closable body.
• the invention aims to eliminate the above insufficiencies.
• the subject of the submitted invention is an ecological vehicle for transporting people and/or luggage, comprising at least one supporting frame with elevated front part, having at least two wheels and at least one seat, a control means connected with at least one steerable wheel, and a drive means connected to at least one driven wheel.
• the essence of the invention consists in a supporting frame construction which forms an obliquely arranged elongated straight beam forming an angle a in the range from 15° to 30° with the horizontal plane, and arranged with its rear end before the rear steerable wheel and its front end above the front driven wheel.
• a downwardly extending front support arm carrying a swinging fork for mounting the front driven wheel.
• a adjustable mounted seat with the possibility of locking the selected seat position on the beam.
• the rear support arm forms an angle of optimally 90° with the beam and is connected to it by an obliquely arranged reinforcement, wherein the seat is arranged on the beam in the region between the reinforcement and the front support arm.
• an angle larger than 90° can be selected.
• the construction of the obliquely arranged longitudinal beam, together with the mounting of the rear wheel, of the front wheel, and of the seat, forms a compact unit with high strength and in particular with optimal distribution of forces during a frontal impact with regard to the position of the seat and center of gravity of the rider.
• the rider sits lower with regard to the front part of the beam and the front wheel, rests on the seat, and the impact force is spread in the oblique beam onto the oblique reactive components, which together with the overall lower center of gravity prevents the vehicle from rolling over upon a frontal impact.
• the front support arm forms an acute angle ⁇ with the beam and is, at its end, provided with a pin for the rotatable mounting of the swinging fork bearing the front driven wheel.
• the swinging fork has a swingarm which is pivotally attached at one end on a pin and on its other end is attached via a spring with a shock absorber to the upper part of the front support arm.
• a bracket bearing an instrument panel with airbag for enhancing the passive protection of the rider.
• a front bracket with footrests for support and for protecting the feet of the rider from impact for the design with the electromotor drive or with a combustion engine.
• the front bracket forms an angle of 90° with the beam.
• Another preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the construction of a luggage compartment in conjunction with other safety features, where in the area that the rear bracket connects with the reinforcement, the frame of the luggage compartment is fixed with a headrest and a seat belt catch.
• the steering means for controlling the rotation of the rear steerable wheel is preferably formed by at least one operating lever arranged on the side of the seat and connected with a control arm pivotally mounted on the rear support arm, which is connected through a rod with the control arm for rotating the rear suspension fork in a swivel mounting.
• the steering means preferably comprises two control levers which are arranged on both sides of the seat and are coupled for synchronized movement, wherein at the ends of at least one control lever is a handle with brake lever and with a control element, e.g. direction light indicators, lights, etc.
• a control element e.g. direction light indicators, lights, etc.
• the longitudinal beam is formed by a direct closed profile the height of which is greater than its width, and which has adequate rigidity in the vertical direction.
• the material of the beam may be metallic, composite, or plastic.
• the upper side of the beam, on which the seat is fitted, is preferably provided with a system of locking openings into which a locking pin engages in a slide arranged on the underside of the seat.
• the slide is connected to the lateral guiding profiles adjustably adjacent to the sidewalls of the beam.
• the lateral guiding profiles are connected to the sidewalls, in which is pivotally mounted a pressure eccentric with wheel flanges engaging the underside of the beam.
• the eccentric is provided with a locking lever for tightening and loosening the seat, which can be positioned on the longitudinal beam so that it optimally suits the rider's body proportions.
• a locking lever for tightening and loosening the seat, which can be positioned on the longitudinal beam so that it optimally suits the rider's body proportions.
• the rear part of the seat can be lifted with the slide and locking pin, and the entire seat assembly can be slid to the desired position and locked again with the pressure eccentric.
• the pin of the pressure eccentric can be replaced with a bolt with nut, for example a wing nut, which after setting to the desired position can be tightened.
• the vehicle is provided with a further safety element, specifically a adjustably mounted chassis which is provided in the front part with a reversibly deformable member, e.g. an air bag with a specially modified inlet and outlet valve which operates at atmospheric pressure.
• a reversibly deformable member e.g. an air bag with a specially modified inlet and outlet valve which operates at atmospheric pressure.
• the preloaded spring arranged in the area between the front bracket and the chassis serves for the sliding movement of the chassis rearward upon impact and for returning it to its original position after impact.
• the preloaded spring keeps the chassis in a front unstable position. On impact, the chassis moves backwards, whereby the preloaded spring holds it in the rear unstable position. Pushing on the chassis from behind returns the chassis to the front unstable position.
• the rear part of the chassis is mounted on rollers arranged in the frame of the luggage compartment.
• the vehicle according to the invention is characterized by its high variability of motor and foot drives that can be mounted on the same general construction and can be mutually combined.
• the drive means comprises an electric motor and/or other motor driving the front driven wheel, e.g. a combustion, compressed-air, or flywheel motor, or another electric motor.
• the electric motor can be stored in the hub of the front driven wheel. If another engine is used simultaneously, it is preferably attached to the front support arm on its fork attachment with fastening pins and can be connected to a generator for charging the battery in the box.
• the drive means comprises rotatable pedals on a crank with a converter, arranged in the front part of the beam, wherein the converter, using at least one chain, drives the toothed pinion of the front driven wheel when the rider pedals the pedals.
• the problem of the connection of the pedal drive with the wheel in the swinging fork with variable position is preferably resolved in that the pin for the rotatable mounting of the swinging fork is formed by a roller-shaft mounted in the fork attachment fastened to the front support arm.
• the shafts are connected to idle sprockets, one of which is connected by a chain with pedal converter and the second is connected by a chain with a toothed pinion of the front driven wheel.
• the drive means comprises two pedal levers with rotating pedals mounted on a common axis in the front part of the beam with the possibility of a rocking motion of the pedal levers at the sides of the beam and of the front driven wheel.
• the legs of the rider do not move about a circle while pedaling, but along an arc whose radius is given by the distance of the pedals from the common axis of both levers.
• the advantage of the pedal levers is better transmission of power during pedaling, which has a more continuous waveform unlike pedaling along a circle.
• one pair of ends of the pedal levers are attached to return springs whose other ends are anchored to the beam.
• the springs serve for accumulating energy of the synchronized movement of the pedal levers, wherein the return force of one spring facilitates pedaling on the second pedal lever and vice versa.
• the pedal levers are provided with a means for transferring the force of pedaling on the pinion of the front driven wheel, which consists of chains fixed to the lower ends of the pedal levers, wherein the chains engage with the idling sprockets connected with the shaft forming the pin. This is pivotally mounted in the fork attachment fastened to the front support arm.
• the ends of the chains are mutually connected behind the sprockets by a cable guided over a rotatable pulley mounted on the beam.
• the shaft forming the pin is connected to another idling sprocket, connected by a chain with the geared pinion of the front driven wheel.
• the synchronizing motion of the pedal levers is preferably resolved so that the center of the axis of the common axis of the pedal levers is pivotally mounted in a sleeve connected with the beam, and each pedal lever is connected to one bevel gear pivotally mounted on an axis, wherein the bevel gears are engaged with a common inserted bevel gear arranged perpendicularly to the axis.
• the action of the return springs during pedaling is transmitted via the gears from one pedal lever to the other.
• the preload of the return springs can be adjusted, thus adjusting their storage according to the strength requirements and physical condition of the rider. The greater the force of the return springs, the more resistance the rider must overcome when pedaling.
• the regulation of the preload is preferably designed such that the second ends of the return springs are mounted to a carrier movably connected to the beam by means of an adjustable means for setting the preload of the return springs.
• the drive means comprises a motor mounted to the front support arm, which directly drives the front driven wheel via freewheel sprockets, one of which is connected by a chain with the drive gear of the internal combustion engine and the second is connected by a chain with the driven pinion of the front driven wheel.
• the ecological vehicle according to the invention has a number of undercarriage variants.
• it is constructed as a single-track vehicle with a single steerable rear wheel and with one front driven wheel on a common straight longitudinal beam.
• it is constructed as a three-track vehicle with two steered rear wheels and with one front driven wheel on a common straight longitudinal beam.
• the vehicle is constructed as a two-track vehicle with two steerable rear wheels and with two front wheels, of which at least one is driven, whereby the vehicle frame comprises at least two longitudinal straight beams interconnected by at least one crossbeam.
• the vehicle can be single-seated as well as multi-seated with seats behind or next to each other.
• the advantages of the vehicle and for passenger and hand luggage transport according to the invention lies mainly in its increased safety due to the compact angled frame with the bottom oblique mounting of the front swinging fork, with increased variability of the position of the driver or rider, and possibilities of combinations of different types of drives using a single or only very slightly different undercarriage design.
• the construction of the vehicle allows for a reduction in production costs, particularly in view of the fact that strength-wise, only the middle part of the frame is the most stressed by the occupied seat.
• the other parts of the frame need not be of high quality or expensive strength profiles.
• the construction of the invention allows for the minimization of vehicle dimensions and its convenient usability for both sport and recreation as well as for entrepreneurs in the service sector, for craftsmen, for seniors and persons with reduced mobility. Description of the illustrations
• Fig. 1 a side view of a single-track, single-seat vehicle powered by pedaling the pedals on a crank and with assistive electric drive in the hub of the front wheel;
• FIG. 2 plan view of the vehicle according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 a side view of a single-seat three-track vehicle with one front driven wheel and with two steerable rear wheels, driven by pedaling on the pedal levers and with assistive electric drive in the hub of the front wheel;
• FIG. 4 plan view of the vehicle according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 5 a side view of a two-seat two-track vehicle formed by joining two longitudinal straight beams by connecting rods, powered by an internal combustion engine driving the front wheels, with assistive electric drive in the hub of the front wheels, and with a floor and protective frame;
• Fig. 6 a plan view of the vehicle according to Fig. 5;
• Fig. 7 a side view of a single-track vehicle with electric drive and with a sliding chassis mounted on a deforming return member
• FIG. 8 detail of the mounting of the front swinging fork on the shaft provided with a set of freewheel sprockets
• Fig. 9 detail of the mounting of the seat assembly on the beam in side view
• Fig. 10 detail of the lower mounting of the seat assembly on the beam in front view
• Fig. 11 plan view of the placement of the seat assembly on the beam
• Fig. 12 detail of the upper mounting of the seat assembly on the beam in cross-section
• Fig. 13 examples of the beam profile design in cross-section
• Fig. 14 a side view of the pedal lever mechanism
• Fig. 15 a bottom view of the pedal lever mechanism
• Fig. 16 a plan view of the pedal lever mechanism
• Fig. 17 detail of the mounting of the pedal levers in partial cross-section
• Fig. 18 to Fig. 19 a schematic representation of the position of the rider's legs and the force while pedaling on common pedals on the crank;
• Fig. 20 to Fig. 21 a schematic representation of the position of the rider's feet and the force while pedaling on the pedal levers;
• Fig. 22 cross-section of the positionable mounting of the pedal levers with adjustable spring preload
• Fig. 23 a plan view of the positionable mounting of the pedal levers according to Fig. 22
• Fig. 24 special design of a single-seat three-track vehicle for riding on snow or sand, with the drive belt in front and with skis or wheels in the back.
• Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a single-track single-seat vehicle with a pedal drive.
• the basis of the vehicle 1 comprises a supporting frame rising towards the front part of the vehicle 1.
• the supporting frame is an obliquely arranged straight longitudinal beam 5 consisting of a closed metal profile whose height is greater than its width.
• the material of the beam 5 can also be composite or plastic, as can as other components connected to the beam 5. Examples of possible variants of shapes of the beam 5 are shown in Fig. 13.
• the upper or lower side of the beam 5 can be provided with a bead produced during the welding of the profile of the beam 5; this bead can be used as a guide for mounting the seat 4. In other embodiments, not shown, plastic or composite material may also be used.
• a 20°.
• a rear support arm 7 also comprising a closed metal profile, the same as the reinforcement 12 welded obliquely between the upper end of the rear support arm 7 and the beam 5.
• connection of the rear end of the beam 5, the rear support arm 7, and the reinforcement 12 forms an area which is the main strength element of the supporting frame, but in particular is important for the dispersion of forces acting upon impact with the elimination of the component acting in the direction of the roll of the vehicle 1 and with its transformation into the vertical component acting towards the ground, i.e. leading to the maintenance of the stability of the vehicle 1, with a low center of gravity and the distribution of impact forces to the beam 5 and the rear support arm 7.
• the rear support arm 7 with reinforcement 12 also bear the rotatable mounting 8 of the rear steerable wheel 3, placed behind the rear end of the beam 5, above which is the self- supporting tubular frame 23 of the luggage space with headrest bracket 24 and a catch for the seat belt 25.
• a downwardly projecting rear bracket 13 on which is mounted a box 14 for a battery powering the electric assistive motor 11 placed in the example of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in the hub of the front driven wheel 2 of the vehicle 1.
• the box 14 may be placed other objects such as a fuel tank, tools, etc.
• the front part of the beam 5 extends above the front driven wheel 2, which is suspended on the front support arm 9, also formed by a closed metal profile welded to the beam 5 in its central part and forming, with the beam 5, an acute angle ⁇ .
• the angle ⁇ 60°.
• the front driven wheel 2 is mounted in a swinging fork 10, with a swingarm 16 mounted in the front support arm 9, respectively in the fork extension 47 on the pin 15.
• the upper end of the swingarm 16 rests through a spring with shock absorber 17 on the front support arm 9 and absorbs the shocks of the front driven wheel 2.
• an adjustable and lockabie mounted seat 4 for the rider 71 (shown in Fig. 7) made of a suitable material, e.g. plastic or fiberglass.
• a suitable material e.g. plastic or fiberglass.
• the seat 4 can be moved along the beam 5 and locked in a selected position suitable for the rider 71 with a locking pin 35 which fits into the appropriate locking hole 34.
• the seat 4 lifts as it moves.
• the seat 4 has, on its lower side, a slide 36, consisting of metal profiles arranged transversely to the beam 5.
• a locking pin 35 which protrudes out of the profile. So that the guiding of the seat 4 is sufficiently rigid in the lateral direction, there are welded to the slide 36 lateral guide rails 37, 37', also formed by closed metal profiles.
• the lateral guide rails 37, 37' can be moved along the beam 5.
• On the outer sides of the lateral guide rails 37, 37' are fixed sidewalls 39, 39', into which are pivotally mounted a pressure eccentric 40 with side flanges 77 fitting into the bottom side of the beam 5 and provided with a locking lever 41.
• the seat 4 When loosening the pressure eccentric 40, the seat 4 can be moved along the beam 5 and locked in the selected position with the locking pins 35, while tightening the pressure eccentric 40 results in a firm connection between seat 4 and the beam 5 with sufficient longitudinal and transverse stiffness also sufficient for the case of an impact.
• control levers 26, 26' for steering the steerable rear wheel 3 and for controlling the brakes and other functions of the vehicle 1.
• the control levers 26, 26' are connected with the control arms 27, 27' pivotally mounted on the rear support arm 7, and connected by linkage 28, 28' with the steering arms 29, 29' which rotate the rear suspension fork 30 which bears the rear steerable wheel 3 in the rotatable mounting 8 with bearings.
• both rear wheels 3 are controlled using the control levers 26, 26'.
• the vehicle 1 is two- seated with two seats 4 side by side (Figs. 5, 6) only one control lever 26 between the seats 4 can be used.
• control levers 26, 26' At the end of the control levers 26, 26' are handles 31, 3 with brake levers 32, 32' for braking the wheels 2, 3, and with control elements 33, 33' for switching directional lights (not shown) or for controlling other functions of the vehicle 1.
• a handle 18 carrying the instrument panel 19 with the airbag 20 On the upper side of the beam 5 is mounted, in front of the seat 4, a handle 18 carrying the instrument panel 19 with the airbag 20.
• the vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 has, as an auxiliary drive means, an assistive electric motor 11 built into the hub of the front driven wheel 2 and powered from a battery stored in a box 14.
• the electric motor 11 may be stored elsewhere than in the front wheel 2.
• the main drive means of the vehicle 1 according to the first example of the embodiment in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are the pedals 55 on a crank with a converter 56 mounted on the front end of the beam 5 and driving a pinion 54 of the front driven wheel 2 via a pin 15 for the mounting of the swinging fork 10.
• the pin 15 is, in this embodiment, replaced by shafts mounted in the fork extension 47 fastened by screws 48 to the front support arm 9.
• the screws 48 also form the fixing pins 52, 53 for attaching another engine.
• On the shaft is an assembly of freewheel sprockets 49, 50, wherein one freewheel sprocket 50 is connected by a chain to the converter 56 of the pedals and transmits the drive to the shaft through pedaling.
• the second freewheel sprocket 49 is connected with the pinion gear 54 and transmits the drive through pedaling from the shaft on the front driven wheel 2.
• the chain transfer may be designed as direct, or with an inserted derailleur, not shown in the drawing.
• the embodiment of the vehicle 1 with pedals 55 on a crank according to Figs. 1 and 2 can be used for sporting purposes, similarly like a bicycle, wherein it is possible to take advantage of the assistive electric motor 11.
• the three-track single-seated vehicle 1 may alternatively be equipped with a different kind of pedaling power.
• the pedaling force on the pedals 55 on crank circumscribing a circular path is not ideal and has an abrupt course with low utilized efficiency of the pedaling power.
• the vehicle 1 according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 uses, instead of the pedals 55 on a crank, pedal levers 59, 59' with rotatable pedals 61 moving about an arc trajectory.
• the pedal levers 5£, 59' are mounted on a common axis 58 situated above the front part of the beam 5.
• the transmission of force from the pedal levers 59, 59' to the pinion 54 of the driven wheel 2 is resolved such that to the lower ends of the pedal levers 59, 59' there are secured chains 60, 60'.
• the chain 60 of the first pedal lever 59 is guided over the freewheel sprocket 62 mounted on the shaft forming the pin 15 according to Fig. 8.
• the chain 60' of the second pedal lever 59' is guided through the freewheel sprocket 57 mounted on the shaft forming the pin 15 according to Fig. 8.
• the ends of the chains 60, 60' are, behind the sprockets 57, 62, mutually connected by a cable 63 guided over a rotatable pulley 64 mounted on the beam 5.
• Pedaling on the levers 59 59' is transmitted to the sprockets 57, 62 and from there to the rotating shaft forming the pin 15 and through the freewheel sprocket 49 onwards to the pinion 54 of the front driven wheel 2.
• the return springs 65, 65' are provided with an adjustable positioning means 70 for adjusting their preload, which can be regulated through the force of pedaling.
• the ends of the return springs 65, 65' are attached to the carrier 69 which is movable relative to the beam 5.
• the positioning means 70 is, in the embodiment according to Fig. 22 and Fig. 23, formed by a threaded rod passing through the threads in the nut of the carrier 69 and by a rotatabie sleeve which can be manually rotated by a threaded rod.
• the vehicle _1 in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 has two steerable rear wheels 3 connected with two control levers 26, 26', and one front drive wheel 2, equipped with an assistive electric motor 11 in the front wheel 2.
• Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show a third example of the embodiment of the invention, wherein the vehicle 1 is two-seated vehicle and two-track, and is substantially formed through an assemblage of two single-track and single-seated vehicles 1 according to the first example of the embodiment.
• the vehicle 1 is two-seated vehicle and two-track, and is substantially formed through an assemblage of two single-track and single-seated vehicles 1 according to the first example of the embodiment.
• the brackets 21 are connected by a common floor and protective frame 72, which serves as a foot support and protection, or possibly for storing luggage.
• the frame 72 is not used in the pedal propulsion.
• the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 is controlled by coupled control levers 26, 26' as in the previous examples of the embodiment.
• the drive means for the vehicle 1 according to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is formed by a combustion engine 51 (a compressed-air or flywheel motor may be used, or other electric motor) mounted to the front support arm 9 by means of fastening pins 52, 53.
• a combustion engine 51 a compressed-air or flywheel motor may be used, or other electric motor
• the shaft forming the pin 15 is again used, for pivotally mounting the swinging fork 10 in the fork extension 47, with the freewheel sprockets 49, 50, one of which is connected with the chain with a drive gear of the internal combustion engine 51 and the second with the pinion 54 of the front wheel 2.
• Fig. 7 shows another example of the embodiment of the vehicle I according to the invention with safety elements.
• the rider 71 is seated in the vehicle 1 in the seat 4 with a secured position on the beam 5 and is secured with a safety belt 25.
• Fig. 7 shows the position of the body of the rider 71 during a calm ride with upright torso, and the position of the rider 71 during a sudden stop, when the body of the rider 71 swings forward by inertial force and is retained by the safety belt 25 and cabin air bag 20.
• Fig. 7 shows further safety elements which can be applied to all the alternatives of the undercarriage and drive of the vehicle 1.
• the vehicle 1 is provided with a adjustably mounted chassis 43 which is provided in the front part with a reversibly deformable member 44.
• the reversibly deformable member 44 is a special air bag with a valve for balancing internal and external pressure for absorbing the energy of a frontal impact, with the extreme positions marked by cross-hatching.
• the rear part of the chassis 43 is mounted on rollers 46 in the frame 23 of the luggage space.
• a preloaded spring 45 For the automatic movement of the chassis 43 rearwards upon impact, there serves a preloaded spring 45, which, upon impact, moves to the rear unstable position 45', together with the chassis 43.
• part of the impact energy is first absorbed in this member 44 and afterwards the chassis 43 is moved rearwards.
• Fig. 8 shows a partial cross-section and a side and front view of the assembly of the freewheel sprockets 49, 50, 57, 62 on a common shaft forming the pin 15 of the swinging fork 10.
• the shaft is, in the part passing through the freewheel sprockets, provided with grooves with springs that fit into grooves of the bushings of the freewheel sprockets 49, 50, 57, 62. Both ends of the shaft are protected against loosening of the slipped-on freewheel sprockets 49, 50, 57, 62 by washers with bolts.
• the shaft in its central part, passes through the bearings of the swinging fork 10 and subsequently symmetrically on both sides of the bearings of the side carriers. The gaps between the bearings are filled by washers for the required length.
• the carriers are mounted on the front support arm 9.
• Fig. 18 to Fig. 21 explain the advantages of not pedaling on the pedals along the circumference, as is commonly the case with existing bicycles, of pedaling along a circular arc of the given radius of the pedal levers 59, 59'.
• Fig. 18 shows the physiologically most suitable direction of force.
• Fig. 1 shows the actual profile of the force exerted on the pedals moving along a circular path of the crank radii (as is usual in the current design of bicycles). The disadvantage is the small part of the path used for applying the force to rotate the sprocket.
• Fig. 20 shows an ideal state of movement across the entire part of the circular arc of a given radius of the pedal lever 59, 59'.
• Fig. 21 explains the use of springs 45, 45' which insert the excess power in the final stage of compression into the storage capacity of the springs 45, 45 'and subsequently this excess energy is used at the commencement of the activity of compressing the second lever 59, 59'.
• the use of this feature can be achieved only with the mutual synchronization of both levers 52, 59'.
• Fig. 24 shows the last example of the embodiment of the vehicle 1 according to the invention, wherein instead of wheels 3, 2 technically equivalent means are used, namely a driven belt 74 with suspension units 76 in front, and two skis 75 in the back.
• a combustion engine 51, or any other motor 51 is used for propulsion.
• the skis 75 may be replaced with pneumatic wheels with a wide profile.
• the vehicle 1 in Fig. 24 is designed for driving in snow or on sand dunes and beaches.
• the ecological vehicle according to the invention can be used for the transport of passengers and hand luggage, is particularly suitable for urban and suburban traffic and for recreational and sport activities, and possibly a special modification of the vehicle can also be used for medical purposes.
• the vehicle is also suitable for driving on desert dunes or along coastal beaches. In these cases, where it is advantageous to use photovoltaic devices which form the roof for on-board battery charging, a roof with photovoltaics can simultaneously serve as an sun shade for the crew.

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Citations (11)

• 2014
  • 2014-04-18 CZ CZ2014-29483U patent/CZ27840U1/cs not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2015
  • 2015-04-14 WO PCT/CZ2015/000036 patent/WO2015158316A1/en active Application Filing

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