CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent appl ication claims priority from Italian patent application no . 102020000023968 filed on 12 / 10/2020 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a modular electric vehicle .

BACKGROUND ART

An increasing share of electric vehicles is out on the market . The use of electric vehicles is particularly suitable for urban mobility, where the need to reduce environmental pollution is strongly felt . Electric vehicles as alternatives to cars , such as mopeds and scooters , are also spreading in cities , also thanks to several public and private sharing initiatives , in order to combine the reduction of emissions with the reduction of car traf fic .

In line with this trend, other types of electric vehicles have been developed, such as hoverboards and segways .

All known vehicles of the aforementioned type belong to a well-defined typology, with its speci fic modes and conditions of use , which make them more or less suitable for di f ferent types of routes and uses . As a result , these vehicles have versatility limitations .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The obj ect of the present invention is to provide a modular electric vehicle characteri zed by a plurality of di f ferent configurations and related ways of use , to allow the user to choose the most suitable way of use for the type of route and/or the desired driving experience .

The above obj ect is achieved by a modular electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1 .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first modular electric vehicle according to the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of a module of the vehicle in Figure 1 , in two di f ferent operating conditions ;

Figure 4 is a median longitudinal section of the module in Figures 2 and 3 ;

Figure 5 and Figure 6 are exploded perspective views of the module from above and from below, respectively;

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views from opposite sides of a module support structure;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of some details of the structure in Figures 7 and 8;

Figures 10, 11, 12 are median sections of the structure of Figures 4 and 5 in different operating positions;

Figure 13 is a median longitudinal section of a module upper assembly;

Figure 14 is a side view of a detail of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a cross section of the assembly in Figure 13;

Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly in Figure 13;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of respective coupling devices for the modules;

Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views of one of the coupling devices, in different operating positions;

Figures 20 and 21 are sections of details of the coupling devices of Figure 17, in two different operating positions ;

Figures 22 to 26 are perspective views of the vehicle, in different configurations;

Figure 27 is a perspective view of a module of a second electric vehicle manufactured according to the present invention;

Figure 28 is a perspective view, with parts omitted for clarity, of a module steering mechanism in Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a perspective view of a coupling device for the module in Figure 27;

Figure 30 is a section along the line XXX-XXX in Figure 29;

Figure 31 is an exploded view of the coupling device in Figure 29; and

Figures 32 to 36 are perspective views of the second vehicle, in different configurations.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates a modular electric vehicle, as a whole, consisting of two modules 2, 3 connectable to each other in various ways.

The two modules 2, 3, when separated from each other (Figure 1) , are substantially in the form of motorized inline roller skates.

With reference to Figures 4 to 6, each module 2, 3 comprises, in a nutshell, a support structure 4, a driving wheel 5 and a driven wheel 6 bound to the structure 4, and a top board 7 for supporting a user's foot. The board 7 is connected to the structure 4 by a rotation and steering mechanism 8.

Finally, the modules 2, 3 are provided with respective coupling devices 9 provided with respective connectors 10, 11 configured to cooperate with each other to connect the two modules 2, 3. Conveniently, the modules 2 and 3 are perfectly identical in all their parts, with the exception of the connectors 10, 11 which are complementary to each other to allow the coupling thereof (Figures 10, 18 and 19) .

The modules 2,3 can assume a rest or "closed" position (Figure 2) , in which the wheels 5, 6 do not protrude downwards from the structure 4, and the board 7 is positioned at a minimum distance from the structure itself, and an operating or "open" position (Figure 3) , in which the wheels 5, 6 are lowered and the board 7 is raised.

In the closed position, the modules can be transported or stored in a small amount of space.

Entering now in greater detail into the description of the above-listed assemblies, the structure 4 (Figure 9) comprises a body 15 consisting of two hollow box-shaped sides 16, 17 (left and right, respectively) extending longitudinally and parallel to each other, and a thick, substantially horizontal central plate 18 interposed between the two sides 16, 17 and integrally connected thereto.

It is hereby specified that position terms such as "front", "rear", "back", "top", "bottom", "right", "left" and the like refer to the layout and direction of travel of the vehicle and have a descriptive and non-limiting function. Similarly, the terms "distal" and "proximal" are used with reference to the distance from an axis, plane or median portion of the vehicle or a component thereof, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The two sides 16, 17 have an anti-symmetrical shape with respect to a longitudinal, vertical median plane P of the module (in practice, the plane of the section of Figure 4) . Each side 16, 17 is open at its ends.

More particularly (Figures 7, 8) , a front end 19 of the left side 16 supports the driven wheel 6 by means of a mechanism 20 as described below; similarly, a rear end 21 of the right side 17 supports the driving wheel 5 by means of an identical mechanism 20.

A rear end 22 of the left side 16 and a front end 23 of the right side 17 house respective removable rechargeable batteries 25.

The plate 18 has two through holes 26 (Figures 4, 6, 9) having vertical axes spaced apart from one another along the plane P. The plate 18 also has a longitudinal median through groove 27 extending along a horizontal plane, the purpose of which will be explained below.

The structure 4 further comprises a bottom plate 30, fixed below the central plate 18 and provided with two pins 31 extending upwards and engaging the holes 26 of the plate 18 with radial clearance.

Lastly, the structure 4 comprises a top support 32 connected to the structure 4 by a pair of vertical-axis shock absorbers 33 housed in the holes 26 and described in greater detail below .

The support 32 ( Figures 6 and 10-12 ) comprises a plate 36 provided at the bottom with respective seats 37 for housing the shock absorbers 33 , and on which the rotation and steering mechanism 8 is mounted .

The mechanisms 20 for binding the wheels 5 , 6 ( Figures 5 , 7 and 8 ) each comprise a main arm 39 having a proximal end 40 housed inside the respective side 16 or 17 , in particular in the respective ends 19 and 21 thereof , and a distal end 38 bearing a pin 41 for supporting the respective wheel ( 5 , 6 ) ( Figure 4 ) .

The mechanisms 20 further compri se a secondary arm 42 having a proximal end 43 hinged to a pin 44 having an axis perpendicular to the plane P, which is slidably mounted in a first hori zontal groove 45 formed in an upper area of the respective side 16 , 17 near the respective end 19, 21 . The pins 44 are also slidably mounted in respective second inclined grooves 46 formed on respective sides of the support 32 , in a position facing the first grooves 45 . In particular, the second grooves 46 are inclined downwards from a proximal end to a distal end thereof . The arms 42 have their proximal ends 47 hinged to an intermediate area of the respective main arms 39 .

With reference to Figure 9 , the shock absorbers 33 each comprise a lower sleeve 80 , a top head 81 , and a cylindrical element 82 made of an elastomeric material and axially interposed between the sleeve 80 and the head 81 . Conveniently, the sleeve 80 and the head 81 , at their axial ends facing each other , integrally define respective small plates 83 to which the element 82 is connected by co-moulding or curing .

The sleeve 80 is provided with a pair of circumferential , respectively upper and lower notches 84 , 85 .

A helical spring 86 is housed inside the sleeve 80 .

With reference to Figures 9 to 12 , the sleeves 80 of the shock absorbers 33 are housed in the holes 26 of the central plate 18 of the body 15 , and the heads 81 are housed in the seats 37 o f the support 32 . The springs 86 are axially compressed between the pins 31 and the small plates 83 of the sleeves 80 , so as to exert an upward preload on the support 32 .

With reference to Figures 4 and 9- 12 , the inside of the groove 27 of the central plate 18 of the body 15 houses a slide 87 , which can slide longitudinally and is more clearly visible in Figure 9 .

The slide 87 has a pair of slots 88 elongated in the longitudinal direction, each defined by a front circular portion 89 having a smaller diameter, substantially equal to the bottom diameter of the notches 84, 85 of the sleeves 80 of the shock absorbers 33, and by a rear circular portion 90 having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the respective sleeve 8.

A spring 93 acting on a lateral arm 94 of the slide 87 loads the latter backwards, so as to maintain an edge of the portion 89 of the slots 88 in contact with a corresponding notch 84 or 85, as will be better described below.

The slide 87 can be operated manually by means of a handle 90 (Figure 11) fixed below the slide 87 by a spacer 92 arranged through a bottom opening 93 of the central plate 18. The handle 90 is hinged to the spacer 922 and movable between a retracted position (Figures 4-6, 10, 12) and an operating position (Figure 11) . Elastic means, not shown, are conveniently provided to keep the handle 90 in the retracted position.

The rotation and steering mechanism 8 (Figures 13, 16) comprises an articulation element 50, having a vertical axis A, provided with a hub 51 mounted on the support 32 with limited possibility of rotation around an axis B lying in the plane P and inclined upward and forward with respect to a horizontal plane, and a disc 52 of axis A extending radially from an upper axial end of the hub 51.

The articulation element 50 is provided with a pin 53 with axis B (Figures 4 and 13) , extending integrally backwards and downwards from the hub 51 and housed in an equally inclined cylindrical seat 54 formed in an upper proj ection 55 of the support 32 .

The hub 51 is also bound to the support 32 by an elastic support 56 consisting of a first bushing 57 and a second bushing 58 made of an elastic polymeric material and arranged on opposite sides of a central wall 59 of the hub 51 and clamped into a pack by a bolt 60 on a central annular abutment 61 of the support 32 . The bolt 60 and the bushings 58 , 59 have an axis C lying in the plane P and inclined backwards and upwards with respect to the axis A; the wall 59 and the annular abutment 61 extend along respective planes orthogonal to the axis C .

The disc 52 ( Figures 15 and 16 ) is provided at the top with a series of f rustoconical peripheral dents 63 , for example eight equally angularly spaced dents .

A hub 64 of axis A is fixed above the disc 52 , and the board 7 is mounted thereon by means of a bearing 65 which supports it radially and axially, for example a tapered roller bearing . For this purpose , the board 7 is provided with a central opening 66 in which an annular metal insert 67 cooperating with the bearing 65 is fixed ( Figure 15 ) .

The board 7 , which has a substantially elliptical shape , possibly truncated at the tip and tail , is equipped with bindings 68 , 69 for locking a user' s shoe 70 . The rear binding 68 ( Figures 5 , 6 ) is a U-shaped band hinged at the ends to the sides of the board 7 and is configured to adhere to a heel of the shoe . The front binding comprises a pair of levers 74 arranged at the sides of the board 7 and having their respective rear ends hinged to the board 7 about a common hori zontal axis D, and their respective front ends connected to each other by a U-shaped band 73 extending transversely and configured to wrap a tip of the user ' s shoe .

The levers 74 carry, on their inner faces facing the board 7 ( Figure 15 ) , respective pegs 75 with a hori zontal axis E parallel to the axis D, which are engaged in respective pins 76 arranged in diametrically opposite positions with respect to the axis A and slidable within respective vertical-axis seats 77 of the board 7 . The pins 76 terminate at the bottom with a f rustoconical portion 77 configured to engage respective dents 63 in the disc 52 of the articulation element 50 .

The levers 74 are held in the lowered position by springs , not shown .

Figures 17-21 show in detail the coupling devices 9 of the modules 2 , 3 which, as already mentioned, are only related to each other by means of the connectors 10 , 11 . The following description, referring to a single coupling device 9 , is applicable to both unless otherwise indicated .

Each coupling device 9 comprises a proximal portion 100 and a distal portion 101 connected together telescopically .

The proximal portion 100 comprises a substantially annular structure 113 , conveniently made of plastic material , provided on the inside with a ring 102 mounted so as to rotate around a ring 103 fixed to the articulation element 8 immediately below the disc 52 . The ring 103 is provided with a plurality of magnets 104 , for example eight , equally spaced along an inner rim thereof ; the ring 103 is provided with corresponding magnets 105 with identical spacing; the two pluralities of magnets 104 , 105 , therefore , define a plurality of predetermined and stable angular positions of the coupling device 9 with respect to the articulation element 8 . Lastly, the structure 113 comprises a pair of tubular guides 106 parallel to each other and to a diametrical axi s E , extending on the opposite sides of the ring 103 .

The distal portion 101 comprises a structure 107 , also made of plastic material , comprising a base 108 adj acent to the proximal portion 100 and elongated in a direction orthogonal to the axis E , from the ends of which two rods 109 extend perpendicularly, and parallel to each other ( Figure 19 ) , which slidably engage the tubular guides 106 .

Two arms 110 also extend integrally from the base 108 in the opposite direction with respect to the proximal portion 100 and inclined upwards , the arms bearing at their ends a transverse pin 111 parallel to the base 108 . A proximal end shank 112 of the respective connector 10 (module 2 ) or 11 (module 3 ) is integrally fixed to the pin 111 . A pair of springs 119 housed in the extremities of the arms 110 and antagonistic to each other acts on the pin 111 of the connector 10 , 11 to keep the latter in a hori zontal position (parallel to the ground) . The connector 10 , 11 can be folded in a position interposed between the arms 110 ( Figure 18 ) in order to minimi ze the module overall dimensions when stored, and held in this position by means of snap-on coupling means (not shown) .

The connectors 10 , 11 are illustrated in detail in Figures 21 and 22 , which show a condition of engagement and disengagement thereof , respectively .

The male connector 11 comprises a cup-shaped body 114 integral and coaxial with the shank 112 , inside which a cylindrical push rod 115 is coaxially fixed in a cantilever fashion . A plug member 120 of elastic material with slow spring-back, such as for example a closed-cell PVC, is fitted around the push rod 115 .

The plug member 120 integrally comprises a cylindrical tubular sleeve 124 and a f rustoconical tip 125 connected to the sleeve by an intermediate flexible portion 126 forming, in undeformed conditions , an outer annular notch 127 . The plug member 120 is housed in an axially slidable manner inside the cup-shaped body 114 , to the bottom of which it is fixed by means of a bellows 128 also made of closed-cell PVC .

The female connector 10 substantially comprises a cupshaped body 130 integral with the shank 112 , configured to be engaged by the plug member 120 and provided, in diametrically opposite positions , with two elastic ball couplings 131 .

Finally, the modules 2 , 3 comprise an electronic control unit 133 , which is housed in a cavity of the central plate 18 of the body 15 ( Figures 4 and 10- 12 ) , so that it can benefit from conductive and convective cooling during the movement of the vehicle .

The rear driving wheel 5 of each module 2 , 3 is provided with an external rotor motor 134 , only shown schematically in Figure 4 , which is connected to the control unit 133 .

The control of the motors 134 is not part of the present invention and is therefore not described in detail . By way of example , this control can take place on the basis of input signals generated by a remote control (not shown) and/or by on-board sensors ( for example load cells or position sensors that " sense" the unbalance or longitudinal or transversal inclination of the boards and convert it into command signals according to predetermined logics .

The operation of the vehicle 1 is described starting from the rest position of the modules 2, 3 (Figures 2, 10) , in which the wheels 5, 6 are raised and the board 7 is lowered. Specifically, in this position the main arms 39 of the mechanisms 20 are rotated upwards and the pins 44 of the secondary arms 42 engage the proximal ends of the grooves 46 of the support 32. The slide 87 is in a position engaging the upper notches 84 of the shock absorbers 33, which are in a minimum-extension configuration, with the springs 86 compressed. The body 32 is therefore in its lower limit position (Figure 10) .

In order to bring the module 2, 3 into the operating position, it is necessary to extract the handle 90 (Figure 11) and pull it forward, so as to move the slide 87 and release the portions 89 of the slots 88 of the slide 17 from the upper notches 84 of the shock absorbers 33 and position the portions 90 at the shock absorbers. In this way, the springs 86 are free to extend up to their undeformed position, thus bringing the shock absorbers 33 into their fully extended position.

The lifting of the support 32 with respect to the body 15 of the structure 4 causes the pins 44 of the secondary arms 42 to slide in the inclined grooves 46 of the support 32, resulting in the rotation of the main arms 39 downwards. The wheels 5, 6 then move into their lowered position shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, 8 and 12. By releasing the handle 90 ( Figure 12 ) , the spring 93 moves the slide 87 back to the initial position, causing the portions 89 of the slots 88 to engage with the notches 85 of the sleeves 80 of the shock absorbers 33 . The operating position of the module 2 , 3 is thus made stable .

The modules 2 , 3 can therefore be worn by placing the foot on the board 7 and fastening it with the rear 68 and front 69 bindings .

The steering movement takes place , as on a skateboard, by shi fting the weight laterally, thereby rotating the articulation element 50 with respect to the axis B . This movement is cushioned by the elastic j oint 56 ( Figure 8 ) .

It is also possible to change the orientation of the boards 7 and the coupling devices 9 with respect to the articulation element 50 in order to allow the modules to be connected together and obtain various configurations of the vehicle 1 .

The board is rotated simply by raising the toe of the foot ; the bands 69 thus cause the li fting of the respective levers 74 ( Figure 14 ) and of the pegs 75 integral therewith ( Figure 15 ) . The pins 76 are therefore released from the dents 63 in the disc 52 and allow its rotation . Once the new desired position has been reached, it is suf ficient to lower the toe of the foot so that the pins 76 engage with the dents 63 corresponding to the new position . The coupling devices 9 can be rotated manually ( or with the legs , once the modules 2 , 3 are worn) around the axis A. For this purpose , it is necessary to exert a force greater than the attraction force between the magnets 104 and 105 and rotate the device until it is repositioned in a new position stabili zed by the magnets 104 , 105 .

Finally, the coupling devices 9 may be arranged in a "compact" position shown in Figure 17 , in which the bars 109 of the distal portion 101 are housed in the tubular guides 106 of the proximal portion 100 , and in an extended position ( Figure 19 ) , in which the bars 109 are extracted from the tubular guides 106 .

The modules 2 , 3 can be connected to each other by coupling together the connectors 10 , 11 which, for this purpose , must be arranged in their extended position ( Figures 17 and 19-21 ) . The coupling takes place by simply inserting the plug member 120 of the male connector 11 into the female connector 10 , thus causing snap engagement between the ball couplings 131 and the notch 127 of the plug member 120 . Disengagement takes place by simply bringing the coupling devices 9 closer together ; in this way, the push rod 115 presses axially against the tip 125 of the plug member 120 , thus deforming (" stretching" axially) the intermediate portion 126 of the plug member 120 . The notch 127 is thus deformed, and in particular its side facing the connector 10 (Figure 21) , which is no longer able to axially engage with the ball couplings 131. Therefore, the connectors 10, 11 can be uncoupled by pulling them away suddenly, taking advantage of the slow spring-back of the material making up the plug member 20.

In this way, the connectors 10, 11 can be uncoupled from each other in a simple way, by means of a quick movement of the feet, even during travel.

Figures 22-26 illustrate the possible configurations of the vehicle (other than the one already described, in which the modules 2, 3 are kept independent of each other and can operate as motorized roller skates) . These configurations simulate the behaviour of existing vehicles.

Figure 22 shows the "scooter" configuration, in which the coupling devices 9 of the modules 2, 3 are arranged backwards and forwards, respectively, i.e., in line with the wheels 5, 6. In this configuration, the board of the rear module 3 is rotated by 90° with respect to the direction of travel, so that the user can position his/her feet in the typical scooter position. In this configuration, the articulation element 50 of the rear module facilitates the steering of the vehicle, while that of the front module reduces weight imbalance.

Figure 22 shows the "skateboard" configuration, in which the coupling devices 9 of the two modules 2, 3 are still in line with the wheels 5 , 6 , but the boards 7 of the modules 2 , 3 are inclined with respect to the direction of travel by 45 ° and 135 ° , respectively, for example clockwise , so that the user can position his/her feet in the typical skateboard position . In this configuration, the coupling devices 9 are arranged in the compact position, and the modules 2 , 3 are relatively close to each other . In this configuration, in a manner that is entirely analogous to a classic skateboard, unbalancing the weight of the body towards one side of the board 7 causes a roll rotation of the board about the axis B and the consequent steering of the vehicle .

Figure 23 shows the " longboard" configuration, which is the same as the preceding one , with the only di f ference that the coupling devices 9 are arranged in the extended position, thus increasing the distance between the modules 2 , 3 .

Figure 25 shows the "hoverboard" configuration, in which the modules 2 , 3 are side by side . For this purpose , the coupling devices are rotated sideways one to the right and the other to the left , and the boards 7 are in line with the wheels 5 , 6 . The coupling devices 9 are in the compact position . The module articulation devices 50 reduce the possible weight imbalance .

Lastly, Figure 26 shows a " free-style" configuration, in which the user does not keep the coupling devices 9 in a predetermined position, but may change the arrangement thereof each time. The same applies to the boards 7, which can also be rotated during travel. This configuration, which requires a high ability to control the vehicle 1 and lends itself to recreational-sports use of the vehicle, allows the user a free and varied driving experience.

Figures 27 to 36 show a vehicle 201 according to a different embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 201 is described briefly below as far as it differs from the vehicle 1 described above, and consists of two modules 202, 203 which can be used in different configurations (see Figures 32 - 36) , as described for the vehicle 1. The modules 202, 203 are provided with respective boards which can rotate with respect to the support structure by means of a rotation mechanism similar to that previously described for the modules 2, 3.

Each module 202, 203 differs from the corresponding module 2, 3 described above essentially in that it comprises three wheels 205, 206a, 206b, instead of two, of which one driving wheel (205) arranged in the median longitudinal plane P of the module in proximity to a longitudinal end of the support structure 204, and two idle wheels 206a, 206b arranged on opposite sides of the plane P and in proximity to an opposite longitudinal end of the support structure

204. The driving wheel can rotate around a fixed axis G with respect to the support structure 204 of the module ( Figure 27 ) .

The wheels 206a , 206b are carried by a steering mechanism 207 shown in Figure 28 . The steering mechanism 207 is sensitive to lateral weight imbalance and essentially comprises a pair of wheel supports 208 having respective binding portions 209 hinged to the support structure 204 of the module 202 , 203 about respective axes F parallel to the plane P and inclined upward and forward, so as to determine a positive angle of incidence . The wheel supports 208 each comprise a support arm 210 extending laterally downwards from the binding portion 209 and provided with a transverse through seat 211 for mounting a wheel pin (not shown) , and a reaction arm 212 extending from the binding portion 209 in a rearward direction .

The reaction arms 212 of the two wheel supports 208 are articulated to the respective ends of a transverse stem 213 which connects them to each other . The stem 213 is arranged through a slot 214 formed in a central reaction wall 215 which is part of the support structure 204 . The steering mechanism 207 further comprises a pair of helical springs

216 mounted coaxially with the stem 213 on opposite sides of the wall 215 and compressed between respective fixed stops

217 at the ends of the stem 213 and respective elastic buf fers 218 cooperating on opposite sides with the reaction wall 215 .

The vehicle 201 also di f fers from the above-described vehicle 1 in that the rotatable coupling devices 9 are replaced by a plurality of coupling devices 220 fixed to the support structure 204 of the modules 202 , 203 .

In particular, the coupling devices 220 are arranged at the front end, at the rear end and on an inner s ide ( i . e . , facing the other module ) of the support structure 204 ( Figure 27 ) .

A coupling device 220 is shown in Figures 29 to 31 and essentially comprises a female element 221 fixed to the support structure 204 , for example by means of screws not shown, and a male element 222 which can be coupled to the female element 22 in a sliding manner, for example by a dovetail coupling .

More precisely, the female element 221 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and, on its larger face 224 , a central longitudinal recess defining a guide 225 with a dovetail section configured to slidably receive the male element 222 , in turn shaped like a rectangular plate with two chamfered sides 226 complementary to the sides of the guide 225 .

The male element 222 , on one of its faces facing the guide 225 , has a longitudinal groove 227 , from an intermediate area of which a short locking groove 228 extends perpendicularly, the purpose of which will be explained below .

The female element 221 ( Figure 30 ) has an internal cavity 228 slidably housing, in a direction orthogonal to the groove 227 , a block 229 bearing an engagement stake 230 which protrudes into the guide 225 through a through groove 231 formed on the bottom of the guide , parallel to the direction of travel of the block 229 and superimposed on the groove 228 of the male element . The block 229 is loaded by a pair of springs 234 towards an engagement position in which the engagement stake 230 is in such a position as to engage with the groove 228 of the male element .

A release stake 235 is fixed to the block 29 on the side opposite the springs 234 and can be operated manually against the action of the springs 234 . On the oppos ite side of the block 229 , between the springs 234 , a further stake 236 having a conical head 237 is fixed and configured to proj ect inside the guide 25 , under the action of the springs 234 , to cooperate with a lateral bevel 226 of the male element 222 so as to recover the play of the dovetail coupling . The release stake 235 and the further stake 236 are slidably housed in respective holes 239 , 240 of the female element 221 coaxial with each other and communicating with the internal cavity 228 . Finally, the coupling device 220 comprises an eccentric push-button 241 mounted rotatably and axially movable against the action of a spring 242 on a free end of the release stake 235 . The push-button 241 is movable between a position inhibiting the release of the coupling device 209 ( see enlarged detail of Fig . 29, solid-line position) , in which it axially rests against the female element 22 and is partially housed in a dent 243 thereof , which stabili zes its position, so as to prevent the translation of the release stake 235 , and a position enabling the release ( see enlarged detail of Fig . 29 , dashed-line position) , in which it is aligned with an eccentric inlet portion 244 of the hole 239 housing the release element 235 , and can be pushed inside the same , thereby allowing the forward movement of the release stake 235 and therefore of the block 229 .

The coupling element 220 is therefore a quick coupling ( this being understood as a coupling which allows snap locking and release , without the use of tools ) .

In fact , in the release position, the push-button 241 can be pushed axially, operating the release stake 235 , thereby retracting the block 229 and the engagement stake 230 . In this position, the male element 222 can be introduced, since the engagement stake 230 slides in the groove 227 . When the push-button 241 is released, the springs 234 push the block 229 , and consequently the engagement stake 230 , which thus engages with the groove 228 and locks the male element 222 . When the push-button 241 is axially pulled, it is possible to rotate it and bring it into a position facing the dent 243 ; when it is released, the safety knob 239 engages with the dent 243 , thereby axially locking the locking stake 235 and preventing the disengagement of the male element 222 from the female element 221 .

The male element 222 , schematically shown in Figures 29-31 as an independent element , is actually an integral part of each of a series of accessories which allow the vehicle 201 to be used in a plurality of di f ferent configurations .

Figure 32 shows the "roller skates" configuration, in which the two modules 202 , 203 are independent of each other . The coupling device 209 located between the idle wheels 206a, 206b is used to fix a heel rest 245 , of which the male element 222 defines a lower appendage .

In Figure 33 , which shows the "hoverboard" configuration, the two modules 202 , 203 are connected to each other by a transverse structure 246 , the ends of which carry the male elements 222 of the respective lateral coupling devices 220 of the two modules .

In Figure 34 , the vehicle 201 is in the " skateboard" configuration, in which the two coupling devices 220 adj acent to the driving wheels 205 of the two modules 202 , 203 are connected to each other . In this case , the two male elements 222 of the coupling devices 209 are conveniently formed by one dual-dovetail plate (not shown) .

In Figure 35 ( scooter configuration) , the two modules are still connected in line and the terminal coupling element 220 of one of the two modules is used for connecting a handlebar 247 .

Lastly, Figure 36 shows the "segway" configuration, in which the lateral and front coupling devices 220 of the two modules 202 , 203 are used for connecting together the two modules by means of a transverse structure 248 to which the handlebar 247 is connected by means of a further front central coupling device . The advantages enabled by the present invention are apparent from an examination of the characteristics of the vehicles 1 or 201 constructed according to the present invention .

In particular, the proposed vehicle 1 , 201 makes it possible to provide various configurations which simulate the operation of di f ferent types of existing electric vehicles and thus to obtain various modes of use , suitable for di f ferent types of routes , and di f ferent driving experiences .

Lastly, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the vehicle 1 , 201 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims . 1

In particular, the modules 2, 3 with in-line wheels can be provided with fixed coupling devices 220 as described for the modules 202, 203; similarly, the modules 202, 203 with steering wheels can be provided with a coupling device 9 as described for the modules 2, 3. The connection between the modules, the board rotation mechanism and the steering mechanism, if any, can be made differently.