Title

E-MOBILITY SYSTEM BASED ON DEVICES EXTERNAL TO THE VEHICLE AND MOUNTED ON A REAR AXLE

Technical sector of the invention

The present invention concerns an "e-mobility" system based on devices which are external to a motor vehicle and are able to be installed in "plug and drive" mode on the rear axle of the vehicle. The invention is particularly suitable for use in city centres. Obviously, smaller areas, such as urban districts, shopping centres, university campuses, airports, etc., may also benefit from a corresponding application of the idea.

Prior art

As is known, most large cities are affected by the volume of traffic which causes traffic congestion. Therefore, limited mobility is one of the most common problems in large cities. Other important problems caused by the volume of traffic are air pollution, noise and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The measures and provisions taken by the government or local authorities to provide assistance are often difficult to implement and/or are impractical, e.g. alternating number plate traffic and/or higher parking charges. Other measures include the definition of restricted traffic areas within which only vehicles with low or even zero polluting emissions may circulate.

Since population growth is accompanied by an increase in traffic, the situation will get worse and become more complex in the future. Therefore, new technologies are needed in order to allow a new generation of vehicles, i.e. vehicles which do not generate polluting emissions and therefore have a very low environmental impact and guarantee higher safety standards. It is also known that the demand for vehicles, especially motor vehicles, with near-zero polluting emissions is resulting in an increase in the production of electric vehicles. However, electric vehicles are still not fully accepted by customers owing to the higher costs and limited battery life in terms of travel mileage. In addition, the facilities for recharging the batteries are still insufficient and the battery recharging times are too long. Moreover, owing to tyre and brake wear, even electric vehicles are not completely free of polluting emissions.

Further developments concern technologies aimed at providing self-driving vehicles. From a technical point of view, many of the problems associated with self-driving vehicles can be solved or have already been solved. A more complex issue to be resolved is how to manage artificial intelligence. Consequently, new regulations and laws need to be enacted.

The implementation of new technologies depends on a multitude of factors. In particular, public authorities must create the infrastructures and issue the necessary regulations. Moreover, customer acceptance must be increased by offering new technologies at reasonable prices. However, owing to the long average life time of a car, the customer will not exchange his/her conventional car for an electric car if it has just been purchased. Thus, motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine will still have a fairly long life.

There therefore exists a need to define a device which is able to reduce the environmental problems in urban centres without restricting access for vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine. Said device, in order to be easily accepted by users and allow easy driving in urban centres with relatively narrow roads, must be able to be easily assembled and disassembled on any type of vehicle and in the most varied situations, for example after the vehicle has reached a parking area. Summary of the invention

Advantageously and according to the present invention, a device for operating a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, within an urban area is provided. According to the present invention, when entering the urban area, the vehicle is temporarily connected to an external electrical device present in a special reception centre and the internal combustion engine of the engine is switched off. Therefore, within the urban area, the vehicle is operated exclusively by means of the external electrical device. As a result, the vehicle is transformed into a low-emission (near-zero emission) vehicle, thus reducing pollution within the urban area. In addition, environmental noise is reduced to a minimum.

Outside the urban area, the vehicle may be operated conventionally, i.e. by means of its internal combustion engine. In fact, the internal combustion engine allows the vehicle to cover longer distances. Therefore, outside the urban area, the electrical device is disconnected from the vehicle.

Preferably, the external electrical device is disconnected from the vehicle also after the vehicle has been parked within the urban area. In fact, even during parking stays within the urban area, it is not necessary for the vehicle to be connected to the electrical device. Consequently, the disconnected electrical device is available for connection to another vehicle provided that the battery charge is high enough. If not, the battery of the disconnected electrical device can be recharged.

Disconnecting the external electric motor from a vehicle parked within the urban area helps reduce the required number of external electrical devices which must be available. Therefore, when entering the urban area, the vehicle can be firstly connected to an external electrical device so as to drive the vehicle to a given destination within the urban area. Once the destination is reached, the vehicle may be parked by the external electrical device. The external electrical device is then disconnected from the vehicle. To continue the journey within the urban area or to leave the urban area completely, the vehicle may be connected with another external electrical device available at that time. The possibility of disconnecting the external electrical device from a vehicle parked within the urban area helps reduce the number of these electrical devices needed. To summarize, when entering the urban area, the vehicle can be connected to an external electrical device which will drive the vehicle to a given destination within the urban area. Once the destination is reached, the vehicle will be parked, again thanks to the external electrical device. Then, this device will be disconnected from the vehicle. Thereafter, to continue the journey within the urban area or leave the urban area completely, the vehicle may be connected to another external electrical device available at that time in the parking area. Finally, when the vehicle leaves the city centre permanently, the electrical device will be disconnected and left in the reception centre closest to the vehicle's travel route.

The temporary propulsion of a vehicle by an external electrical device, according to the present invention, would achieve significant fuel savings for the user, making this procedure extremely attractive. Obviously, the use of an external electrical device may be subject to charges, used to cover the costs of installation and maintenance of the necessary infrastructure. This would also make the proposed method attractive for local authorities or private entrepreneurs, who will provide the service.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is parked autonomously by the external electrical device. Therefore, this device is preferably designed in such a way that it can drive itself, regardless of whether it is connected to a vehicle or not. This allows it to move independently from the reception and/or recharging centre to a vehicle or from a vehicle to another vehicle or from a vehicle to a reception and/or recharging centre. To allow self driving, the external electrical device is preferably equipped with hardware and/or software which allows navigation within the urban area. As a result, the external electrical device will always find the shortest way to reach a destination (also based on information about possible traffic congestion), reducing the driving time and energy consumption. In addition, the navigation system may provide information on free parking spaces so that driving time, especially cruising time, is kept to a minimum.

Self-driving of the external electrical device, also when connected to a vehicle, ensures compliance with traffic regulations, in particular speed limits. As a result, it increases the safety of vehicle passengers, pedestrians and cyclists within the urban area.

The external electrical device comprises at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is preferably recharged in a recharging centre when the electrical device is disconnected from a vehicle. Therefore, the time during which the external electrical device is not operational may be used for recharging. Preferably, the recharging centre is also a reception centre so that, after the battery has been recharged, the external electrical device may be stored and kept available for subsequent use.

The reception and/or recharging centres are preferably located at the entrance to the urban area, so that the external electrical device can be connected to a vehicle before it has entered the urban area.

In addition, preferably, the external electrical device is connected to the vehicle and/or disconnected from it in the same reception and/or recharging centres. This ensures the availability of the external electrical device for each vehicle arriving in the facility.

The operation of a vehicle according to the present invention requires the external electrical device to be mechanically connected to the vehicle, preferably at the rear of the vehicle, for example in the position where the tow bar is mounted. The vehicle itself may comprise pre-installed fixtures and/or a pre installed flange for connecting the external electrical device to the vehicle. Preferably, the external electrical device incorporates a "plug and drive" device which can be easily connected.

The external electrical device preferably comprises at least one wheel which allows the device to drive autonomously.

In addition, preferably, the external electrical device is fixed to the vehicle in such a way that at least two wheels of the vehicle are raised off the ground. The raised wheels are replaced by at least one wheel of the external electrical device. In order to lift the car, the external electrical device preferably comprises lifting means.

Alternatively, the external electrical device may be fixed to the vehicle in such a way that a driving force of its electric motor is transmitted directly or indirectly to the front or rear wheels, in particular the drive wheels, of the vehicle. For example, the driving force may be transmitted indirectly via a belt or a chain. According to one aspect of the present invention an e-mobility system based on an electrical device external to the vehicle is described, where said device is configured to have a variable length and/or width, so as to be able to be adapted to any type of vehicle, and has the characteristics set out in the attached independent product claim.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method for installation on a vehicle or removal from said vehicle of a self-driving external electrical device is described where the vehicle parks in a parking area, in particular a parking area with a parallel arrangement. The method of driving the device up to the vehicle or of moving the device away from the vehicle has the characteristic features described in the independent method claim.

Other preferred and/or particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are described according to the characteristic features set out in the attached dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristic features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of some non-limiting examples of embodiment, provided with reference to the figures of the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a) a side view, b) a plan view from above and c) a rear view of a vehicle with a device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a) a side view, b) a plan view from above and c) a rear view of a vehicle with a device in a second preferred embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 shows a) a first layout of a device according to an embodiment of

Figure 1 or Figure 2 and b) a second layout of a device according to one of the embodiments shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2;

- Figure 4 shows a) a front view, b) a side view and c) a plan view of a detailed layout of the device according to one of the embodiments shown in Figure 1 or

Figure 2;

- Figure 5 illustrates the removal of the device according to one of the embodiments of Figure 1 or Figure 2 from a vehicle parked in a parallel parking arrangement; and

- Figure 6 illustrates a preferred mode of installation or removal of the device, according to one of the embodiments of Figure 1 or Figure 2, from a vehicle parked in a parallel parking arrangement during: a) parking, b) caterpillar movement and c) normal driving movement. Detailed description

With reference to figure 1, the external electrical device 10 is located in the rear part 5 of the vehicle 1. The device comprises at least one electric motor 2, a battery 13 for powering the electric motor and at least one driving and/or auxiliary wheel 11, 11'. In order to make the device 2 suitable for different vehicle models, its length and width may be modified by means of linear actuators 3, 4. The only physical connections between external device 10 and vehicle 1 are quick-action connections 19 at the hubs of the rear wheels of the vehicle. The torque is transmitted from the electric motor 2 of the device 10 to the quick-action connections 19 by transmission means 15, for example a belt or chain. A suitable tensioning system is used to ensure optimum tension of the belt or chain. The device 10 is configured to allow free access to the boot and the boot door.

The device 10 also comprises a control device 6 in the form of a control panel which is removably fixed to a steering wheel 7 of the vehicle 1.

Figure 2 shows different views of an alternative embodiment of the external electrical device 10, also for mounting on the rear part 5 of the vehicle 1.

As in the example of Figure 1, the width of the device is modified by means of linear actuators 4, but the length of the device is modified by means of an external installation system which does not require the presence of actuators. The device is also connected to the tow bar 18. For this reason, the stress on the quick-action connections 19 and the frame between the battery 13 and the quick- action connections 19 is reduced. The connection to the tow bar 18 is not restricted to the vertical direction, and therefore the vertical loads are not transferred to the vehicle but only to the wheels of the external device 10. Again in this case, the external device 10 is configured to allow free access to the boot and the boot door.

Also in this embodiment, the device 10 also comprises a control device 6 in the form of a control panel removably fixed to a steering wheel 7 of the vehicle 1, as in the previous solution.

The layouts of the external devices as shown in Figure 3 may be used for both the solutions described above. In particular, in the layout of Fig. 3a two electric motors 2 are used, while in the layout of Fig. 3b only one electric motor 2 coupled with a speed differential is used.

The layout of the external device 10 is shown in more detail in Figure 4, which shows different views of an external device 10 according to one of the embodiments of Figure 1 or Figure 2, comprising a series of components such as the electric motor 2 (in the example shown there are two electric motors, one for each wheel of the rear axle of the vehicle), the battery 13 for powering the electric motors, the driving wheels 11 of the device 10, the auxiliary wheels 11' which will be used, as described below, in the assisted parking manoeuvres and the free wheels 11" with self-steering capacity. The device 10 is also equipped with a linear actuator 3 for adjusting the length of the device itself and a linear actuator 4 for adjusting the width of the device and adapting it to different types of vehicle. An epicyclic reducer may be used to transfer the torque of the electric motor to the driving wheels of the device, the transmission of the movement to the axle of the vehicle being able to be performed, for example, by a belt or chain drive 15 with a suitable tensioning system 15'. Finally, a quick coupling mechanism 19 may be used to connect the device to the rear axle of the vehicle. This type of device is therefore equipped with self-driving means (driving wheels 11) and is also able to drive the vehicle (transmission of the movement to the vehicle axle) and is able to carry out assisted parking manoeuvres by means of its auxiliary wheels 11'.

As already mentioned, the external electrical device may be removed or installed on a vehicle parked in a parking area. This is to the advantage of efficient management of the e-mobility system, ensuring that the external devices are always operational, if not during the battery charging operations.

Therefore, if the external device is equipped with a self-driving functionality, as in the example in Figure 4, installation and removal of the device 10 are performed using this function. For the solutions described above, i.e. external devices to be installed on the rear axle of the vehicle, Figure 5 schematically illustrates the removal of a device 10 from a stationary vehicle 1 in a parallel parking area. Removing itself at the rear with a suitable rotation, the device 10 disengages from the vehicle 1 so as to reach autonomously a location 10' reserved for these external devices. It is evident that, in order to be able to carry out the manoeuvre of installing a device on the vehicle, with the device starting from its own parking area, as well as in order to perform the removal of the same device from the vehicle in such a way that the device can autonomously reach its own parking area, said route being schematically indicated for both the operations by the path 10", it is required that a free space of 1' be provided behind each vehicle 1 suitable for installation and removal of an external electrical device. This obviously represents a drawback since it reduces the parking capacity of the parking area. It is obvious, therefore, that the space required behind the vehicle should be as small as possible, especially in parallel parking. This problem may be solved with a device such as the one in Figure 4, which has the possibility of performing an operating movement similar to a "caterpillar movement", i.e. a sideways movement. This operating movement is illustrated in Figure 6, which shows an example of the operation of removing the device from the vehicle in order to reach its parking area. The comments made obviously also apply to the reverse operation, i.e. the movement of the device from its parking area, its positioning next to the rear axle of the vehicle and its installation thereon.

As already shown in the preceding figure, the device is able to disengage from the vehicle by detaching itself backwards with a suitable rotation of its arms. In the method shown in Figure 6, in particular in Figure 6a, the device 10 is in parking mode, i.e.:

1. The arms of the switched-off device are rotated. The external device switches to parking mode. This is followed by the movement away of the device (Figure 6b):

2. The wheel 11 (in the example, the left wheel) of the device is locked. The central actuator 4 is retracted.

3. The left wheel of the device is unlocked and the right wheel is locked. The central actuator 4 is extended.

4. Steps 2 and 3 are repeated until the external device 10 is outside the parking area.

5. The arms are rotated. The external device 10 switches to normal driving mode.

For this operation, the auxiliary wheels 11' used for parking mode are required.

Obviously, the possibility of carrying out this kind of "caterpillar movement", i.e. a purely sideways movement, allows minimization of the space which must be kept free between one vehicle and the next one in order to allow the installation and the removal of the external device 10 onto/from a vehicle 1.

In addition to the embodiments of the invention, as described above, it is to be understood that numerous further variants are possible. It must also be understood that said embodiments are only examples and do not limit the subject of the invention, nor its applications, nor its possible configurations. On the contrary, although the description provided above enables the person skilled in the art to implement the present invention at least in one of its examples of configuration, it must be understood that numerous variations of the components described are feasible, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the accompanying claims, interpreted literally and/or in accordance with their legal equivalents.