WO2021005275A1

WO2021005275A1 - Propulsion device for a paddle-type craft

Info

Publication number: WO2021005275A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/050749
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexandre SEUX
Original assignee: Temo
Priority date: 2019-07-09
Filing date: 2020-05-05
Publication date: 2021-01-14
Also published as: EP3996985C0; FR3098489B1; FR3098489A1; EP3996985B1; EP3996985A1; ES2961324T3

Abstract

Device (1) for propelling a craft (20), comprising - a shaft (1) provided at one end with a handle (3) and having at the opposite end a propeller (4), - an electric motor (5) for rotating the propeller (4), the axis of rotation of which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft (2), - a system (6), such as a battery, for supplying power to the motor (5), and - a control system (7) of the motor (5). The telescopic shaft (2) is formed of tubes (8, 9) that are slidably engaged such that the tubes can be moved between a shorter retracted position of the shaft (2) and a longer telescopic extension position of the shaft (2). The tubes, referred to as the lower tube (8) and the upper tube (9), are provided with the propeller (4) and the control system (7), respectively, of the motor (5). The power supply system (6) is positioned in the upper tube (9) and the motor (5) in the lower tube (8) and the power supply system is connected to the motor (5) by a wired link (10) arranged inside the shaft (2).

Description

Title of the invention: device for propelling a

paddle type craft

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for propelling a boat of the paddle type.

[0002] It relates in particular to a device for propelling a boat comprising:

- a handle fitted at one end with a handle and having, at the opposite end, a propeller,

- an electric motor for driving the propeller in rotation, the axis of rotation of which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the handle,

- a system, such as a battery, for supplying energy to the engine,

- an engine control system.

[0003] The annexes used at anchor for a person transfer between boats and land are extremely widespread. Up to now, the devices used to propel such tenders have been oars or a small thermal or electric motor which should be transported and installed on the tender. This results in restrictive use. At the same time, users of other types of light craft are looking for a propulsion device that is easy to use without compromising its efficiency. So far the proposed propulsion devices have not been satisfactory. This is the case with the propulsion device described in US Pat. No. 5,993,274.

[0004] An aim of the invention is to provide a device for propelling a

So-called light craft such as an annex, a boat, a board or other whose design allows easy use without compromising its efficiency.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a device for propelling a

boat including:

- a handle fitted at one end with a handle and having a propeller at the opposite end,

- an electric motor for driving the propeller in rotation, the axis of rotation of which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the stick, - a system, such as a battery, for supplying energy to the engine,

- a motor control system, characterized in that the handle is a telescopic handle formed of tubes mounted in sliding interlocking for the displacement of the tubes between a retracted position of shorter length of the handle and a telescopic extension position of greater length of the handle, the tubes being respectively equipped one, said lower tube, with the propeller, the other, said upper tube, with the engine control system, in that the power supply system is positioned in the upper tube and the motor in the lower tube and in that the power supply system is connected to the motor by a wired link arranged inside the handle. The design of a telescopic handle as described above makes it possible to avoid removing the handle for storage of the device. This arrangement also allows an optimization of the weight distribution. Finally, this construction improves the buoyancy of the device in the telescopic extension position of the handle tubes.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, the wire link comprises at least one spiral cable. The presence of the turns allows an easy variation of the length of the cable by simple deformation of the turns, especially when the handle passes from a retracted position of the tubes corresponding to the smallest length of the handle to an extended position of telescopic extension of the tubes corresponding to the longest length of the handle.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control system is carried by the handle having an axial gripping part, coaxial with the handle.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the propeller has two directions of rotation and the control system comprises at least one trigger

acceleration and a control device for the direction of rotation of the propeller.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the propeller is at least partially protected by a fairing and the device comprises blades, called radial blades for connecting the handle to the fairing of the propeller. The presence of blades can allow the use of the propulsion device in the manner of an oar.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said so-called anti-torque blades are configured to prevent rotation of the handle on itself in the state. driven in rotation of the propeller. This results in less muscle fatigue for the operator, this muscle fatigue being already reduced due to the weight distribution of the handle.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower tube is equipped

externally from a projecting part. This protruding part, which can take a large number of shapes, can allow the device to be attached to a lady of the water.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, said projecting part is

disposed, on the lower tube, at or near the sliding interlocking zone of the lower tube with the upper tube. The expression “in proximity” is understood to mean at most 15 cm from said binding zone.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower tube is equipped

openings to allow emptying of the lower tube.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig. 1] is a schematic perspective view of a propulsion device according to the invention in the extended position called a telescopic extension of the handle tubes;

[0015] [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of a propulsion device according to the invention in the retracted position of the handle tubes;

[0016] [Fig. 3] is a schematic view of a propulsion device in the state positioned on a boat;

[0017] [Fig. 4] is a perspective view of the helix end of the

propulsion device.

As mentioned above, the invention relates to a device 1 of

propulsion of a light craft, such as an annex, used in particular for the transfer of people between an anchoring area and the land.

This propulsion device 1 comprises a handle 2, one end of which is equipped with a handle 3 for gripping the handle by the operator and whose end opposite is equipped with a propeller 4 intended to be at least partially submerged in the position of the propulsion device 1 on the boat. The gripping handle 3 has an axial gripping part 31 coaxial with the handle.

This propulsion device 1 further comprises an electric motor 5

drive in rotation of the propeller 4. This electric motor 5 is arranged coaxially with the propeller 4. The propeller 4 is positioned on the stick 2 so that the axis of rotation of the propeller 4 and the longitudinal axis of the handle 2, in the form of an elongated body, are coaxial.

The propulsion device 1 further comprises a system 6 for supplying energy to the motor 5 generally formed of one or more batteries

rechargeable. In the example shown, only one battery has been shown.

The propulsion device 1 further comprises a system 7 for controlling the electric motor 5 carried by the handle. In the example shown, the propeller 4 has two directions of rotation and the control system 7 comprises an acceleration trigger 71, a power-on member 73 and a member 72 for controlling the direction of rotation of the propeller. 4. The energizing member 73 is a key switch, preferably electromagnetic, and the member 72 for controlling the direction of rotation of the propeller is a button with at least two positions, namely forward and reverse. The trigger is housed inside the handle 3 which forms a closed handle capable of being gripped by the hand of the operator at the level of the axial gripping part 31.

[0023] Characteristically of the invention, the handle 2 is a handle

telescopic formed of tubes, shown at 8 and 9 in the figures, connected to one another by a sliding interlocking connection zone 14 for a sliding interlocking mounting of the tubes. These tubes 8, 9 are mounted to be movably interlocking to slide between a retracted position of shorter length of the handle 2 and a telescopic extension position of greater length of the handle 2. One of the tubes, called the lower tube 8, is equipped. of the propeller 4, while the other tube, called the upper tube 9, is equipped with the control system 7 of the engine 5. The energy supply system 6 is in turn positioned in the upper tube 9 and the engine 5 in the lower tube 8. A device 15 for holding the tubes at least in the extended position or of greater length handle is provided. This retaining device 15 may be formed by a tightening ring, such as a constricting ring. This holding device 15 is placed on the lower tube 8 at the level of the sliding interlocking connection zone 14 of said tubes 8, 9 or near this connection zone.

The power supply system 6 is connected to the motor 5 by a wired link 10 arranged inside the handle 2. In the example shown, this wired link 10 is formed by a cable 100. This cable is arranged inside the handle 2. This cable is preferably coiled.

To complete the assembly, the propeller 4 is protected at least partially by a fairing 1 1 and the device 1 comprises blades 12 called radial connecting the handle 2 to the fairing 1 1 of the propeller 4. The blades 12 said anti-torque are configured to prevent a rotation of the stick 2 on itself in the state driven in rotation of the propeller 4. By "configured" is meant that the anti-torque blades 12 are shaped and dimensioned to prevent such a rotation of the handle 2 on itself. An example of such blades is provided in FIG. 4. These blades 12 can allow the use of the propulsion device 1 in the manner of a train in the event of failure of the electric motor.

To assist in fixing the propulsion device 1 on the boat, the lower tube 8 is externally equipped with a protruding part 13. This protruding part 13 may, in the state positioned at a oarlock, of the type produced in the form of a fork or a stirrup fixed to the boat, forming a stop preventing a sliding movement of the handle 2 in said fork or the stirrup in at least one direction.

Finally, to complete the assembly, the lower tube 8 is equipped with openings 16 to allow emptying of the lower tube 8.

As mentioned above, the positioning of the propulsion device 1 on the boat 20 can be various. The propulsion device 1 can simply be placed on a flat edge of the boat or attached to a lady of oar or worn by the operator without contact with the boat in the case of a board-type boat or used at the like a train if necessary, especially in the event of failure of the electric motor. To allow the use of such a propulsion device 1, it suffices for the operator to enter the device, to press the trigger in forward or reverse direction to start the drive motor rotating the propeller and then using the propulsion device 1 in the water in the manner of a rudder.

Claims

[Claim 1] Device (1) for propelling a boat (20) comprising

- a handle (2) equipped at one end with a handle (3) and having a propeller (4) at the opposite end,

- an electric motor (5) for driving the propeller (4) in rotation, whose axis of rotation is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the handle (2),

- a system (6), such as a battery, for supplying energy to the engine (5),

- a control system (7) of the motor (5), characterized in that the handle (2) is a telescopic handle (2) formed of tubes (8, 9) mounted in sliding interlocking for the movement of the tubes (8, 9) between a retracted position of shorter length of the handle (2) and a telescopic extension position of greater length of the handle (2), the tubes (8, 9) being respectively equipped with one, said tube (8 ) lower, of the propeller (4), the other, called the upper tube (9), of the control system (7) of the engine (5), in that the energy supply system (6) is positioned in the upper tube (9) and the motor (5) in the lower tube (8) and in that the energy supply system (6) is connected to the motor (5) by a wired link (10) arranged at inside the handle (2).

[Claim 2] Device (1) for propelling a boat (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the wired connection (10) comprises at least one spiral cable (100).

[Claim 3] Device (1) for propelling a craft (20) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the control system (7) is carried by the handle (3) having a part ( 31) axial grasp coaxial with the handle (2).

[Claim 4] Device (1) for propelling a craft (20) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the propeller (4) has two directions of rotation and in that the control system (7) comprises at least one acceleration trigger (71) and a member (72) for controlling the direction of rotation of the propeller (4).

[Claim 5] Device (1) for propelling a craft (20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the propeller (4) is at least partially protected by a fairing (1 1) and in that the device (1) comprises blades (12) called radial connecting the handle (2) to the fairing (1 1) of the propeller (4).

[Claim 6] Device (1) for propelling a boat (20) according to claim 5, characterized in that said anti-torque blades (12) are configured to prevent rotation of the handle (2) on itself. in the rotating state of the propeller (4).

[Claim 7] Device (1) for propelling a craft (20) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower tube (8) is externally equipped with a projecting part (13).

[Claim 8] Device (1) for propelling a craft (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that said projecting part (13) is disposed, on the lower tube (8), at or near to the sliding interlocking connection zone (14) of the lower tube (8) with the upper tube (9).

[Claim 9] Device (1) for propelling a craft (20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower tube (8) is equipped with openings (16) to allow emptying of the lower tube (8).