WO2023228125A1

WO2023228125A1 - All-terrain solar tractor vehicle having interchangeable modules

Info

Publication number: WO2023228125A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/055381
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothée CHOMAT; Etienne Crozier; Guillaume Heisel; Jean-Luc Thuliez
Original assignee: Softcar Sa
Priority date: 2022-05-25
Filing date: 2023-05-25
Publication date: 2023-11-30

Abstract

Disclosed is an all-terrain electric vehicle which has a simple architecture and on which several modules can be mounted according to the desired use, the vehicle being provided with adjustable suspensions making it possible to change the modules and to adjust the ground clearance, the vehicle also having a structure supporting solar panels for recharging the batteries powering the electric drive, the vehicle being particularly suitable for use in sunny countries with uneven roads.

Description

All-terrain solar tractor vehicle with interchangeable modules

CORRESPONDING REQUEST

This application claims the priority of the earlier PCT application No. PCT/IB2022/054919 filed on May 25, 2022 in the name of SOFTCAR SA, the content of this earlier application being incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to an off-road solar electric vehicle with low manufacturing costs, of simple architecture on which different modules can be mounted depending on the desired use of said vehicle. The vehicle is notably equipped with adjustable suspensions to facilitate the installation of the modules and to adjust the ground clearance according to the mass transported. It also includes a structure supporting solar panels in order to recharge the batteries powering the electric motor. This vehicle is particularly suitable for use in countries with rough, gravel roads or tracks with rocks. This use is of course not restrictive.

PRIOR ART

In sub-Saharan Africa, 80% of vehicles are second-hand vehicles, often in very poor condition (wrecks imported from developed countries). The average price is very high for used vehicles, and there are new restrictive import laws, through surcharges on imported used vehicles, a practice followed by more and more countries to avoid the accumulation of wrecks.

At the same time, the development of electric vehicles is hampered by very high purchasing costs, non-existent or poorly developed charging infrastructures and a very poorly developed supply of electric vehicles adapted to off-road conditions.

Many all-terrain vehicles exist, but most are not adapted to the needs of sub-Saharan Africa: typically, the need is to travel less than 100 km per day and to transport large loads at low speed.

Current vehicles are generally not manufactured locally. They generally have a standard architecture which makes them expensive to produce, are suitable for a single use, have significant operating costs (fuel consumption, maintenance of mechanical parts), and/or are not suitable for very uneven terrain. Their lifespan in off-road conditions is therefore short.

There is therefore a need for a simple, inexpensive, easy to maintain, multi-purpose and practical vehicle which can be used in particular in conditions similar to those encountered for example in Africa or Asia allowing transport without additional fuel costs. This type of vehicle is particularly suitable for integrated production, allowing fruit and vegetables to be transported from the production farm to the distribution center, for example. The present invention makes it possible to overcome all of the disadvantages mentioned above and to respond to the recognized need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to propose an all-terrain crossing vehicle, inexpensive to produce produced locally, requiring little maintenance and simple to repair, durable, using free solar operating energy, having great autonomy and many varieties of uses.

Preferably, according to non-limiting embodiments of the invention, the vehicle comprises:

1) An electric battery;

2) A central beam in which the battery is housed and which has electrical outlets. The central beam is both the chassis structure and the battery pack of the vehicle. It constitutes a mobile energy source;

3) Pulled or pushed oscillating arms, articulated around the beam and equipped with suspensions and shock absorbers. These drawn arms are advantageously four in number but other numbers are possible (for example six or eight); 4) A wheel at the end of each arm, at least two wheels or advantageously each wheel being fitted with an electric motor, the tires preferably being airless;

5) A structure mounted on the beam and supporting solar panels;

6) A driver's seat preferably mounted directly on the beam;

7) A traction element to hoist modules onto the beam;

8) Steering elements, preferably mechanical or hydraulic;

9) Preferably signaling and protection elements.

This simplified architecture makes it possible to reduce production and maintenance costs as much as possible. This simplicity also increases the lifespan of the vehicle. The electric motor and solar panels make it possible to drive solely on solar energy, therefore free of charge and with potentially infinite autonomy. The storage battery allows you to drive at night and in the absence of sunlight. Electrical outlets allow you to plug in all types of electrical devices using the vehicle as a mobile energy source. The articulated arms and several independent motors on the wheels make the vehicle all-terrain and allow it to operate with very high, or even variable, ground clearance. Mechanical or hydraulic steering allows the vehicle to handle well regardless of the ground clearance setting.

In embodiments, the vehicle can be combined with different modules. These modules can be intended, by way of example and in a manner non-limiting, to the transport of people, animals, foodstuffs (citrus fruits, fruits), water, or other liquids or even other products. A module can have one or more of these functions.

In embodiments, the modules are loaded onto the vehicle preferably from the rear thereof. To facilitate maneuvering, the articulated arms placed at the rear of the vehicle lower for example to tilt the beam backwards, and the traction element pulls on the module to translate it from the ground onto the central beam. Advantageously, the modules are fitted with casters to facilitate their transfer from the ground to the vehicle, on the central beam. The section of the central beam makes it possible to center the modules mechanically and to support their very heavy load.

The principles of the present invention are described below using non-limiting embodiments and illustrative drawings.

In embodiments, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one central beam suspended by a plurality of arms articulated around said central beam, each of said articulated arms comprising at least one wheel, said articulated arms making it possible to adjust the attitude and/or ground clearance of said vehicle, either constantly or variably, for example depending on the terrain. The trim can be varied so as to at least be able to load a module onto said vehicle by translation without lifting said module. Ground clearance can be varied to crossing or depending on the terrain on which the vehicle is traveling. It can be varied when the vehicle is stationary and/or moving.

In embodiments, the module is loaded (e.g. translated) from the rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, it can be loaded sideways, from one side of the vehicle.

In embodiments, a driver's seat and vehicle control means are placed on the central beam at the front of the module.

In embodiments, the central beam comprises at least one battery. The battery can be permanently fixed in the beam or not.

In embodiments, the wheels are actuated by an electric motor located in at least two wheels of the vehicle and powered by said battery. In embodiments, each wheel of the vehicle is powered by a motor.

In embodiments, the vehicle includes solar panels to charge the battery and/or generate electrical power.

In embodiments, the voltage coming from the solar panels is greater than the maximum voltage of said battery.

In embodiments, the central beam includes electrical outlets, transforming the vehicle into a mobile energy source on which all types of electrical devices can be plugged. In execution modes, the attitude and the ground clearance can be adjusted manually and/or automatically and/or continuously depending on the load or the crossing to be carried out, rock, river bed, ford, river, tree trunk, or any other obstacle.

In embodiments, the adjustment of the attitude and the ground clearance can be carried out by rotating a screw blocked in translation, relative to a nut blocked in rotation, on which a suspension is positioned.

In embodiments, the distance between the bottom of the central beam and the fixed axis of the articulated arm is greater than the radius of the wheel of said vehicle.

In embodiments, the height of the rear of said vehicle is adjusted by blocking the front wheels, by releasing the rotation of said rear articulated arms relative to said vehicle, by rotating the rear wheels in forward motion ( or in reverse), then by blocking the rotation of said rear articulated arms relative to said vehicle. A similar process can be applied to adjust the height of the front of said vehicle.

In embodiments, a traction element can be installed to assist in translational loading of a module onto said vehicle. In embodiments, the traction element is a cable winch, activated manually by a crank, a wrench or a screwdriver, or activated electrically by a motor.

In embodiments, the vehicle includes mechanical steering called a high bridge

In embodiments, the vehicle includes hydraulic steering.

In embodiments, the vehicle includes electric steering.

In embodiments, the vehicle's steering is adjusted by applying different speeds to at least two wheels of said vehicle.

In embodiments, the central beam is formed of one or more extruded parts of aluminum or steel or other equivalent materials.

In embodiments, the vehicle includes means for orienting the solar panels toward the sun and/or away from the sun. In embodiments, the solar panels provide protection against the sun and/or rain for the driver, passengers and goods present on said vehicle.

In some embodiments, the solar panels are installed on the structure without a lower covering, allowing them optimum cooling in the ambient air.

In embodiments, the vehicle includes at least one airless tire.

In embodiments, the vehicle comprises at least one wheel motor comprising a central motor, a rim and a preferably airless tire.

In embodiments, the vehicle comprises a tall structure allowing modules to pass during their transfer from the ground to the central beam.

In embodiments, the vehicle includes four or more wheels.

In embodiments, the vehicle comprises two or four wheels equipped with an electric motor.

In embodiments, the vehicle is combined with a module. In embodiments, the module comprises a docking module which is the negative of the shape of said central beam.

In embodiments, the module is made of polymer by single-layer or multi-layer rotational molding. The module may include several skins (or layers).

In embodiments, the module at least partially forms a tank favorably comprising a double skin, allowing thermal insulation and better resistance to drilling.

In embodiments, the module makes it possible to transport people and/or animals and/or objects/products and/or vegetables.

In execution modes, the modules are easily interchangeable by a single person.

In embodiments, water contained in an on-board module is used to clean or cool the solar panels. Other applications are also possible.

In embodiments, the module includes casters to facilitate its transport on the ground and its translation on the vehicle, favorably on the beam of the vehicle.

In embodiments, the invention relates to a method of loading a module onto a vehicle as described herein. request in which the trim of the vehicle is modified to load the module by translation.

In embodiments, changing the trim is done via an adjustment system as described in the present application.

In embodiments, the trim can be adjusted with a variation between the front and rear of the vehicle and/or between the left and right side.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the description below of embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure la represents a perspective view of the vehicle not equipped with a module, with a suspension adjustment, according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure lb represents a perspective view of the vehicle not equipped with a module, with other suspension adjustment, according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the vehicle equipped with a water tank module according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the vehicle equipped with a module for transporting people and water according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the vehicle equipped with a vegetable and/or animal transport module according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 5 shows a side view of the vehicle when loading a module according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 6 represents a view of the screw adjustment system of the front axle suspension according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 7 represents the hydraulic steering system according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 8 represents a perspective view of the vehicle with the solar panels inclined according to one embodiment of the invention.

NUMERICAL REFERENCES OF ELEMENTS

- 01: vehicle

- 11: central beam

- lia: electrical outlets

- 11b: bottom of the central beam

- 12: high structure

- 13: solar panels

- 14: driver's seat

- 15: cable winch

- 21: articulated arm

- 21a: fixed axis articulated arm

- 22: wheel motor

- 22a: airless tire - 23: suspension

- 24: screw suspension adjustment

- 24a: screw

- 24b: nut

- 30: Hydraulic steering

- 31: piston rack

- 32: wheel piston

- 33: hub carrier

- 34: pipe

- 41: water tank module

- 42: passenger transport module

- 43: vegetable and animal transport module

- 44: module traction element

- 45: casters

- 46: module docking

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MODES OF EXECUTING THE INVENTION

The invention is not limited to the embodiments or modes of execution described in the present application, but is capable of being modified for example by using means equivalent to those described. The invention and its principle therefore relate in particular but not exclusively to a vehicle 01, modules 41, 42, 43, and the principle of loading said modules 41, 42, 43 onto said vehicle 01. With reference to the figures, said vehicle 01 comprises a central beam 11 forming the main part of the chassis of said vehicle 01. Advantageously said central beam 11 comprises one or more extruded parts in aluminum or steel. These metals offer good mechanical strength to said central beam 11, and extrusion is an inexpensive process. Other materials or combinations of equivalent materials are of course possible. An electric battery is mounted inside said central beam 11, and electrical outlets lia are placed on said central beam 11 to charge said battery and/or use the electricity stored in said battery for the benefit of the vehicle and/or other devices requiring a power supply. Said central beam 11 preferably constitutes both the chassis and the battery pack of said vehicle 01. The batteries can be permanently fixed in said central beam 11 or be exchangeable.

Said electrical outlets lia are intended in a non-limiting manner for the connection of all types of devices such as telephones, computers, razors, lighting, refrigerators or any other types of devices used in everyday life, or even tools, sensors, medical devices, GPS etc. An inverter can be added to obtain on said electrical outlets the voltage generally used in the country of operation of said vehicle, whether 220V alternating, 110V alternating or any other voltage. Thus, said central beam 11 represents a mobile energy source. A tall structure 12 is mounted on said central beam 11. Said tall structure is advantageously made up of steel or aluminum tubes or profiles welded and/or bolted to each other. This process makes it possible to produce a simplified structure with low production costs. Other materials (such as wood or synthetic materials) or mixtures of materials are possible to produce said structure 12. Said high structure 12 represents safety in the event of said vehicle 01 overturning. It also makes it possible to mount solar panels 13 on said vehicle 01. Said solar panels can be mounted on a frame itself mounted on said high structure 12, or without frame or cowling in order to promote the cooling of said solar panels 13 in ambient air.

Said solar panels 13 are connected directly to said battery, or via said electrical outlets lia. Advantageously, the nominal voltage of said solar panels 13 is greater than the nominal voltage of said battery so that the recharging of said battery can be direct, in direct current, and complete, for more efficient recharging, without using an expensive inverter. . A control box can optionally be added to regulate the voltage and current coming from said solar panels 13 in order to protect said battery. In another configuration, these functions could be carried out by a BMS (Battery Management System) of said battery. Said solar panels 13 also form a roof above said vehicle 01, which makes it possible to shelter any passengers and/or goods present on said vehicle 01 from the sun and/or rain. Said vehicle 01 is thus particularly suitable for sunny countries, since it makes it possible to provide abundant energy at zero operating cost. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the support of said solar panels 13 is movable relative to said high structure

12 so as to be able to tilt said solar panels 13 towards the sun to optimize their production (see Figure 8). To avoid overheating of said solar panels 13, this system can also be used to be able to tilt said solar panels 13 away from the sun and allow them to cool. In cases where said solar panels do not work, for example when they are overheated, or when there is no sun, or when it is dark, the batteries present in said central beam 11 make it possible to continue to supply said vehicle 01 with energy to continue driving. Figure 8 illustrates solar panels tilted to the right (in the direction of travel) but the system used for tilting can also tilt them to the left in the direction of travel, forwards, or backwards . For this purpose, said solar panels

13 are mounted on an appropriate system, comprising for example tie rods and/or actuators making it possible to achieve these positionings.

Articulated arms 21 are connected together by said central beam 11. Said articulated arms 21 can be either directly fixed on said central beam 11, or fixed on an intermediate part itself fixed on said central beam 11, such as for example said structure high 12. Said central beam 11 also supports a driver's seat 14, the elements allowing the driving of said vehicle 01 such as the steering wheel or pedals, controls (turn signals, headlights, etc.), signaling elements (headlights) and protective elements (bumpers).

According to a non-limiting example illustrated in the figures, said vehicle 01 comprises four wheel motors 22, each wheel 22 being mounted on an articulated arm 21. The tires fitted to said wheel motors may be, in a non-limiting manner, airless tires 22a, such as for example sipe tires, in order to avoid punctures which could occur with the use of standard air tires on rough roads for which said vehicle 01 is intended.

The motors of said wheel motors 22 are electric motors powered by the battery contained in said central beam 11. The fact of having several wheels with independent motorizations allows the vehicle to have the capacity to move forward on all types of terrain, whatever the covering, composition or relief of the ground. Having the motors directly on the wheels removes elements and simplifies the transmission, which in conventional vehicles can be a source of breakdowns and subject to regular maintenance. The invention extends beyond this illustrative example, said vehicle 01 can be equipped with more or less four wheels 22, all or only part of which can be equipped with motors. For example, the vehicle can be equipped with 6 wheels 22 (therefore 6 arms, 3 on each side of the chassis) which are all driven or only 4 wheels are driven and the two additional wheels are used to support the transported load. By an appropriate command, or can also easily vary the operating modes of the vehicle depending on the terrain: for example, when the vehicle includes four wheels 22, if all the wheels are wheel motors, it can operate in 4x2 mode (traction or propulsion), or in 4x4 mode.

If the vehicle includes six 22 wheels, it can operate: 4x2, 4x4 or 6x6.

Depending on the terrain and/or the position of the vehicle 01 or the load, it is also possible to use differentiated operations between the left side and the right side of the vehicle 01, for example turning (the wheels 22 on one side rotate in one direction while the wheels 22 on the other side rotate in the other direction or are not actuated).

In other embodiments, it is possible to mount a plurality of wheels 22 (for example two) on each articulated arm 21 in order to have a larger contact surface on the ground: such a configuration can be useful for rolling in the sand for example. The plurality of wheels 22 can be installed on the front and/or rear arms and/or on all the arms 21 of the vehicle 01. Preferably, they are installed on the arms 21 whose wheels are driven. Each wheel 22 mounted on an arm 21 can be actuated by a motor or only one wheel 22 can be or none (when the vehicle is 4x2). All configurations are possible.

The use of electric motors allows said vehicle 01 to be silent. Said vehicle 01 is thus particularly suitable for carrying out safaris, animal reports or for any other activity by example requiring approaching animals in the wilderness without frightening them, in addition to transporting products (water, fruits, vegetables, etc.).

Each of said wheel motor 22 is connected to said central beam 11 by an articulated arm 21. The stator of said wheel motor 22 is fixed to one end of said articulated arm 21 if said wheel is non-steering, or to a hub carrier 33, it -even in pivot connection with said articulated arm 21 if said wheel is a steering wheel. In the case of wheels without motors, it is the axis of said wheel which is connected to the end of said articulated arm 21 or said hub carrier 33. The other end of said articulated arm 21 is in pivot connection with said central beam 11 or with another part fixed on said central beam 11 (for example said high structure 12). A suspension 23 connects each of said articulated arm 21 to another element of said vehicle 01: either said central beam 11, or said high structure 12, or another part fixed on one of these two elements. Advantageously, said suspension 23 consists of a suspension spring and a damping piston, each end of said spring resting on one of the two elements of said damping piston.

At one of its ends, said suspension 23 comprises an adjustment system 24. Said adjustment system 24 can be positioned either on said articulated arm 21 as is the case on the articulated arms 21 at the front of said vehicle 01 given by way of example in Figures la-8, or on another element of said vehicle 01 as is the case on the articulated arms 21 at the rear of said vehicle 01 given by way of example in Figures la- 8. As shown, said adjustment system is a worm suspension adjustment 24 comprising a screw 24a in pivotal connection with said articulated arm 21 or with another element of said vehicle 01, and a nut 24b in helical connection with said screw 24a, said nut 24b also being connected to one of the ends of said suspension 23. Thus, by rotating said screw 24a, said nut 24b translates along said screw 24a, carrying with it said suspension 23, modifying the angle of inclination of said articulated arm 21, and therefore the attitude, the ground clearance and the height of said vehicle 01. The rotation of said screw 24a is carried out by acting on one of its ends with a crank, with a key, with a screwdriver or with a motor controlled from the driver's seat or via a remote control.

One of the advantages of said screw suspension adjustment 24 described above, using said screw 24a and said nut 24b is that by having a sufficiently low thread angle on said screw 24a and on said nut 24b, it is non-reversible . That is to say that in the absence of rotation on said screw 24a, said nut 24b will not be able to translate, even if a significant force is applied to said nut 24b via said suspension 23. This adjustment system is given as a non-limiting example. Other means are possible.

According to another embodiment, the suspension adjustment can be carried out by operating the wheels. In this configuration to modify the attitude, said articulated arms 21 at the rear of said vehicle 01 are free to rotate relative to said central beam 11. The wheels at the front of said vehicle 01 are blocked, for example via the system of braking. THE rear wheels are then driven forward, for example via electric motors. The advancement of the rear wheels with the front wheels blocked will cause a rotation of said articulated arms 21 relative to said central beam 11, and therefore a modification of the attitude of said vehicle 01 with the rear which will lift. Once the correct position has been found, said articulated arm 21 is blocked from rotating in order to maintain the position. Blocking can be done with a simple pin or with a ratchet system blocking a toothed wheel or a rack or other equivalent means (such as a brake, tightening, etc.).

The same method can be applied to adjust the position of the articulated arms at the front of said vehicle. In this case, it is the rear wheels which are blocked, and the front wheels which are driven in reverse.

This principle of variation of the trim can also be used for loading the modules, as explained below and illustrated in figures lb and 5.

For this process to work, the distance between the bottom of the central beam 11b, and the fixed axis articulated arm 21a, must be greater than the radius of the wheel.

Said vehicle 01 may include mechanical steering called a high bridge adapted to vehicles having a large suspension travel. Advantageously, in order to be able to maintain good driving behavior, said vehicle 01 is equipped with hydraulic steering 30. Said hydraulic steering is composed of a piston rack 31 and at least two wheel pistons 32, the pistons of said piston rack 31 and said piston wheel 32 comprising a chamber filled with a fluid, a pusher capable of translating in said chamber and closing said chamber, and a hydraulic connector. The hydraulic connectors of said piston rack 31 and said piston wheel 32 are connected by pipes 34, so that the chambers of said piston rack 31 and said piston wheel 32 form with said hydraulic pipes a closed volume filled with a fluid . Said piston rack 31 may comprise one or more chambers, each chamber being provided with a piston and a hydraulic connector.

In this configuration, the rotation of the steering wheel causes the translation of the pusher of said piston rack 31. Due to the closed volume filled with fluid, the translation of the pusher of said piston rack 31 causes the translation of the pusher of said wheel pistons 32. Each of said wheel piston 32 is connected on one side to one of said articulated arms 21, and on the other side to one of said hub carrier 33. The translation of the pusher of said wheel piston 32 therefore causes the rotation of said hub carrier 33 , therefore of said wheel, which allows said vehicle 01 to make a turn.

All the wheels of said vehicle 01, or only part of the wheels can be equipped with said wheel piston 32 in order to make them directional. According to another embodiment, said vehicle 01 does not comprises neither hydraulic steering (30), nor piston rack 31, nor wheel piston 32, nor hub carrier 33. The steering of said vehicle 01 is done by applying different speeds between the wheels. For example, by applying a higher speed to the right front wheel of said vehicle 01 compared to the left front wheel of said vehicle 01, said vehicle 01 will make a turn to the left. Different speeds can also be applied between all the wheels on one side of the vehicle relative to the other side of the vehicle in order to rotate the vehicle (for example as is the case with tracked vehicles).

Said central beam 11 is intended to accommodate a plurality of modules behind said driver's seat 14, such as for example a water tank module 41, a people transport module 42 or a vegetable and animal transport module 43. Said modules 41, 42, 43 are advantageously produced in polymer by rotational molding. This process makes it possible to produce large parts at low cost. It also allows you to make hollow parts. Thus, for example, if said people transport module 42 is mainly made up of two benches, it also represents a hollow body which can be filled with liquid, for example water, to transport liquid in more people. Other modules are possible depending on needs.

Said modules 41, 42, 43 can be produced with several skins (or layers). The accumulation of skins provides better thermal insulation and better resistance to drilling, which represents a important advantage, said modules 41, 42, 43 often being filled with water.

Said modules 41, 42, 43 being produced in hollow bodies, each can contain water. Said vehicle 01 thus always includes an on-board water reserve. Advantageously but in a non-limiting manner, this water can be used to clean said solar panels 13 to increase their efficiency, or to cool said solar panels 13 to prevent them from overheating and no longer working or for other uses. For this purpose, a suitable system can be added in order to pump water into said module 41, 42, 43 and spray it onto said solar panels 13 for example.

The present invention also relates to a method of loading said modules 41, 42, 43 onto said vehicle 01. According to this method, the rear of said vehicle 01 is placed in front of one of said modules 41, 42 or 43. Said articulated arms 21 located at the rear of said vehicle 01 are adjusted via said screw suspension adjustment 24 or any other adjustment system (as described above for changing the attitude, by blocking the front wheels and moving the rear wheels back) in order to have the rear of said vehicle 01 as close as possible to the ground, as shown in Figure 5. Said vehicle 01 is equipped with a traction element, for example a cable winch 15, fixed on said central beam 13. The cable of said cable winch 15 is fixed on a module traction element 44 of said module 41, 42 or 43. Said cable winch 15 is then actuated to wind up the cable, and therefore pull said module 41, 42 or 43 on said central beam 11 . The method thus makes it possible to place said module 41, 42 or 43 on said vehicle 01 without having to carry the module. Once said module 41, 42 or 43 installed on said vehicle 01, the adjustment of the ground clearance and the attitude of said vehicle 01 can be carried out via said screw suspension adjustments 24 or any other adjustment system, depending on the type of path taken, the desired speed and the on-board load. The whole can be raised occasionally to make crossings.

Said high structure 12 is designed to allow said module 41, 42 or 43 to pass during its transfer from the ground to said central beam 11. According to one embodiment, casters 45 are implemented on said module 41, 42 or 43 in order to facilitate its transfer from the ground to said central beam 11 and/or in order to facilitate its translation on said central beam 11. Said casters 45 also make it possible to roll said module 41, 42 or 43 on the ground, when it is not embarked on said vehicle 01, in order to facilitate its transport.

Each of said modules 41, 42, 43 comprises a module docking 46 in its lower part which facilitates the transfer, guiding and maintaining of said modules 41, 42, 43 on said central beam 11. Advantageously, said module docking 46 is the negative of the geometry of said central beam 11. Said docking 46 can also be equipped with casters in order to facilitate the translation of said module 41, 42 or 43 on said central beam 11. Said cable winch 15 can be actuated manually with a crank, a wrench or a screwdriver/unscrewdriver. It can also be done with a motor controlled from the driver's seat or via a remote control. Once said module 41, 42 or 43 installed on said central beam 11, the cable of said cable winch 15 remains fixed on said module traction element 44 in order to prevent said module 41, 42 or 43 from sliding out of said vehicle 01 during the journey.

The method as described makes it possible to load said module 41, 42 or 43 onto said central beam 11 from the rear of said vehicle 01. The invention is not, however, limited to this configuration. Said module 41, 42 or 43 can also be loaded from the front or from the side of said vehicle 01 by varying the trim appropriately.

In embodiments, the arms 21 can be mounted on the beam 11 through means allowing their assisted rotation (for example motors and/or a transmission and/or controlled shock absorbers). This allows permanent and automatic adjustment of the trim and ground clearance, for example when vehicle 01 is moving or stopped for loading/unloading a module 41, 42 or 43.

Said vehicle 01 is thus of simple design with few wearing parts or parts likely to cause breakdowns, and easily repairable. Said vehicle 01 is therefore inexpensive to produce, inexpensive to maintain and has a long lifespan. Due to the solar panels, said electric vehicle is inexpensive to use and with a potentially long range unlimited, since it uses the energy of the sun. It is therefore ideal for sunny countries, where it is necessary to transport people, water or other goods on long journeys with potentially uneven roads, free of charge.

The modes of execution of the invention described in the present application are by way of illustrative examples and should not be considered limiting. Other modes of execution may use means equivalent to those described for example. The modes of execution can also be combined with each other depending on the circumstances, or means used in one mode of execution can be used in another mode of execution.

For example, the vehicle has been described and illustrated as comprising at least one wheel on each articulated arm. In variants, it could be planned to replace said at least one wheel with a caterpillar system. This track system can be placed at the front and/or rear of the vehicle, on a pair of arms or on a plurality of pairs of arms.

Claims

1. Vehicle (01) comprising at least one central beam (11) suspended by a plurality of articulated arms (21) around said central beam (11), each of said articulated arms (21) comprising at least one wheel, said articulated arms (21) making it possible to adjust the attitude and/or the ground clearance of said vehicle (01), either constantly or variably, so as at least to be able to load by translation a module (41, 42, 43) on said vehicle (01) without lifting said module (41, 42, 43).

2. Vehicle (01) according to claim 1, wherein said central beam (11) comprises at least one electric propulsion battery.

3. Vehicle (01) according to claim 1 or 2, in which said module

(41.42.43) is translated onto the beam from the rear of said vehicle (01).

4. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a driver's seat (14) and means for controlling said vehicle (01) are placed on said central beam (11) at the front of said module

(41.42.43).

5. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said wheels are actuated by an electric motor located in at least two wheels and powered by said battery.

6. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising solar panels (13) for charging the battery.

7. Vehicle (01) according to claim 6, wherein the voltage coming from said solar panels (13) is greater than the maximum voltage of said battery.

8. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims 6 or 7, wherein said solar panels (13) provide protection against the sun and/or rain for the driver, passengers and/or goods present on said vehicle (01).

9. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, in which said central beam (11) integrates electrical outlets (lia), thus transforming it into a mobile energy source onto which all types of electrical appliances can be connected .

10. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the trim and ground clearance of said vehicle are adjusted manually and/or automatically and/or continuously.

11. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the trim and the ground clearance of said vehicle are adjusted by rotating the rear wheels in forward (or reverse), then by blocking the rotation of said arms rear articulated relative to said vehicle. A similar process can be applied to adjust the height of the front of said vehicle.

12. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said module (41, 42, 43) comprises casters (45) to facilitate its transport on the ground and its translation on the beam of said vehicle (01).

13. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the distance between the bottom of the central beam (11b) and the fixed axis articulated arm (21a) is greater than the radius of the wheel of said vehicle (01) .

14. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment of the height of the rear of said vehicle (01) is carried out by blocking the front wheels, releasing the rotation of said rear articulated arms (21) by relative to said vehicle (01), by rotating the rear wheels in forward gear, then by blocking the rotation of said rear articulated arms (21) relative to said vehicle (01), a similar method which can be applied to adjust the height of the front of said vehicle (01).

15. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the adjustment of the attitude and the ground clearance is carried out by rotating a screw (24a) blocked in translation, relative to a nut (24b) blocked in rotation, on which a suspension (23) is positioned.

16. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, on which a traction element is installed to help load by translation of a module (41, 42, 43) on said vehicle (01).

17. Vehicle (01) according to the preceding claim, wherein said traction element is a cable winch (15), activated manually by a crank, a wrench or a screwdriver, or activated electrically by a motor.

18. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising hydraulic or mechanical steering or high or electric bridge.

19. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, the steering of which is achieved by applying different speeds to at least two wheels of said vehicle (01).

20. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said central beam (11) is formed of one or more extruded parts of aluminum or steel.

21. Vehicle (01) according to one of claims 6 to 20, comprising means for orienting said solar panels (13) towards the sun or away from the sun.

22. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one airless tire (22a).

23. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a tall structure (12) allowing said modules (41, 42, 43) to pass during their transfer from the ground to said central beam (11).

24. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising four or more wheels.

25. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two or four wheels equipped with an electric motor.

26. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims combined with a module (41, 42, 43).

27. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said module (41, 42, 43) comprises a docking module (46) which is the negative of the shape of said central beam (11).

28. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said module (41, 42, 43) is made of rotomolded polymer.

29. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said module (41, 42, 43) comprises two or three skin layers of the same polymer.

30. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said module (41, 42, 43) forms at least partially a tank.

31. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said module (41, 42, 43) makes it possible to transport people and/or animals and/or objects.

32. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, said modules (41, 42, 43) being interchangeable.

33. Vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, using the water contained in said on-board module (41, 42, 43) to clean or cool said solar panels (13).

34. Method for loading a module (41, 42, 43) onto a vehicle (01) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the trim of said vehicle (01) is modified to load said module (41, 42). , 43) by translation on said central beam (11).

35. Method for loading a module (41, 42, 43) according to the preceding claim, in which the change of the attitude is done via an adjustment system according to one of claims 9 to 11.

36. Method according to one of claims 34 or 35, in which the trim can be adjusted with a variation between the front and the rear of the vehicle or between the left and right side of the vehicle.