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Title:
SELF-PROPELLED, THREE WHEELED VEHICLE WITH PLATFORM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2004/020269
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The vehicle according to the invention characterized by having a frame (1) situated in the plane of the front wheel (2), on the axle (7) of which is mounted a motor (6). The frame (1) has a sloping line towards the rear wheels (5) and is connected to the platform (3) set on the axle (4) of the rear wheels, where the greater part of the area of the platform (3) is situated on the side of the front wheel (2). The frame (1) is equipped with the disconnecting mechanism (9) with lock (10), dividing the vehicle in two parts and a connector (11) for disconnecting electric cables when dividing the vehicle. The motor (6) is powered from the battery (8) fixed to the bottom of the platform (3). The vehicle is intended for recreational applications, for the use in sport, for shopping, transporting small packages, for commuting and also for police patrols, postmen or other services.

Inventors:
WASYLECZKO ZENON (PL)
Application Number:
PCT/PL2003/000073
Publication Date:
March 11, 2004
Filing Date:
August 04, 2003
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
WASYLECZKO ZENON (PL)
International Classes:
B62D51/02; B62D61/08; B62K3/00; (IPC1-7): B62D61/08; B62D51/02; B62K5/04
Domestic Patent References:
WO2000023314A12000-04-27
Foreign References:
US6390216B12002-05-21
US2771145A1956-11-20
GB2282355A1995-04-05
US5775452A1998-07-07
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Claims:
The claims
1. What I claim as my invention is a selfpropelled, three wheeled vehicle with platform, powered by the electric motor supplied from a battery, equipped with a frame which connects the front wheel with the rear wheels and a steering handlebar, with a frame (1) is situated in the same plane as the front wheel (2), on the front axle (7) of which is mounted a motor (6) and the frame (1) is indirectly or directly and disconnectedly or nondisconnectedly fixed to the axle (4) of the rear wheels (5), while the frame (1) has a line sloping towards the rear wheels (5).
2. The vehicle as in Claim 1, having the front wheel (2) at least twice as big as the rear wheels (5).
3. The vehicle as in Claim 1, having the frame (1) in the shape of"L", with the angle facing upwards and situated at the side of the platform (3).
4. The vehicle as in Claim 1, with the frame (1) fixed to the upper surface of the platform (3) and the platform (3) is fixed to the rear wheels (5) from the top side.
5. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the frame (1) in the vicinity of the mass center"Q"of the vehicle ant its front side is equipped with the disconnecting mechanism (9) with a lock (10) to enable division of the vehicle into two parts.
6. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the platform (3) fixed to the axle (4) or the construction element (28) has a greater plane (16) directed towards the front wheel (2).
7. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the battery (8) is situated under the platform (3) on the side of greater area (16).
8. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which on the upper surface of the platform (3) is fixed an additional battery (22).
9. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the frame (1) is equipped with a connector (11) for disconnecting the supply cables when using the disconnecting mechanism (9).
10. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the rear wheels (5) are rotatably and independently fixed to the rear axle (4).
11. 1 l.
12. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which in the guide (12) of the frame (1) is placed a rod (14) of the steering handlebar (13) with a fork (15) set on the axle of the front wheel (2).
13. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which on the protrusion (18) is fixed a holder (17) for the seat (23).
14. The vehicle as in Claim 1, additionally equipped with foot friction brake (24) with pedals (25) and common axis (4) situated on their front side under the platform (3).
15. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the frame (1) is disconnectedly or nondisconnectedly fixed to the axle (4) of the rear wheels (5) and the axle (4) of the rear wheels (5) and the battery (8) are covered with a platform (3).
16. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the frame (1) is disconnectedly or nondisconnectedly fixed to the construction element (28) fixedly or disconnectedly mounted to the axle (4) of the rear wheels (5) and the construction element (28) and the battery (8) are covered with a platform (3).
17. The vehicle as in Claim 1, in which the frame (1) in its lower part in the region of the platform (3) has the shape of the horizontal line, connecting indirectly or directly and nondisconnectedly or disconnectedly with the axle (4) of the rear wheels (5). The list of designations 1. Frame 2. Front wheel 3. Platform 4. Rear axle 5. Rear wheel 6. Motor 7. Front wheel axle 8. Battery 9. Disconnecting mechanism lO. Lock l l. Electric connector 12. Guide of the steering rod 13. Steering handlebar 14. Steering rod 15. Fork of the front wheel 16. Bigger part of the platform area 17. Holder 18. Protrusion l9. Hooks 20. Towing hook 21. Clamps 22. Reserve battery 23. Seat 24. Foot friction brake 25. Brake pedals 26. Brake inserts 27. Rotation axis 28. Construction element 29. Opening.
Description:
Self-propelled, three wheeled vehicle with platform The object of the invention is a self-propelled, three wheeled vehicle with platform, powered by the electric motor, intended for moving the operator in standing position, with a small cargo or without load, for moving generally in a flat terrain.

Such vehicles are known in many implementations, intended for numerous purposes. For instance, from Polish patent application No. 341223 a platform is known, propelled by two motors and movable on two sets of tracks including at least four wheels and controlled with a joystick. Also is known from the US patent No. 6,267, 190B1 a small self-propelled vehicle with electric propulsion, with three identical wheels and with platform set on the axle of two rear wheels, connected with the front wheel with spatial tubular frame and bicycle-type steering, including also a container for the supply batteries, situated between the platform and front wheel and fixed to the spatial frame. From the US patent No. 4,874, 055 is also known an electric three-wheeled vehicle, intended mainly for use during the golf play, containing three identical wheels, in which the rear wheels are driven and the axle of the rear wheels holds the platform, where said elements are connected by spatial frame having folding control rod, which may also serve as a towing rod. In other implementation, the golf cart known form the US patent No.

4,538, 695 with a platform held on the rear wheels driven via a chain transmission, has an automobile-type steering wheel. Further, from the US patent No. 4,573, 549 is known a light portable three-wheeled vehicle, intended for golf players, electrically propelled, with rear-wheel drive, with spatial frame and bicycle handlebar, foldable for transport, e. g. in the car trunk.

The vehicles listed above are characterized by the fact, that their rear wheels are driven and batteries are situated between the front and rear wheels and they have spatial frame, which makes these vehicles relatively heavy and unsuitable for moving manually, because of their great mass and clumsiness, in addition their elements are not easily disconnected for transport or storage in a small room.

The aim of this invention is the design of a three wheeled, portable, environmentally friendly electrically driven vehicle, intended for the sport and leisure use, e. g. for riding on the beach, in a ZOO, in the park and for commuting, shopping, e. g. by mothers with children, for the elderly people and invalids. In addition, the vehicle may be used professionally, for instance by police patrols, postmen or other deliveries. The vehicle according to the invention has a tubular frame, connecting the front wheel with a platform located above the rear wheel axle. The vehicle is driven by an electric motor located in the front wheel, which is bigger than the rear wheels. The frame is located in the plane of the front wheel and slanting towards the rear wheels and preferable has the shape of the angled or arching"L", with an angle or arch directed upwards from the side of the platform. Preferably the frame has a mechanism located in the vicinity of the mass center and dividing the frame and vehicle in two parts, including a device preventing accidental disconnection and preferable fixed with its upper side to the platform. The platform in turn is fixed to the rear wheels axle, situated transversely to the plane of the frame, when the bigger area of the platform is situated in front and its plane extends from the area of the rear wheels toward the front. The supply battery is situated under the platform and the cables are preferably located inside the tube of the frame and have a connector to disconnect them when the frame is divided. The vehicle has a bicycle-type handlebar with a rod placed in the frame guide and connected with a fork on the front wheel axle. For safety, the vehicle is equipped with front wheel brake, rear wheels brake, a bell and devices for operation of the motor, indicating the battery condition, speed of travel and a holder for mounting a seat for a child, hooks for the baggage and a towing hook. Depending on the use, the vehicle may be equipped with a second exchangeable battery, situated on the top side of the platform, intended for charging the first battery or replacing it to increase the operating range of the vehicle.

An advantage of the vehicle according to the invention is the simplicity of operation, especially maneuvering, a feeling of driver a bicycle due to similar construction elements, ability of tight turns and turnarounds due to the ability of turning the front wheel nearly 180° and low position of the mass center.

The light construction of the vehicle enables carrying it by hand, for instance over the obstacles and the divided frame facilitates carrying the vehicle over the stairs, transporting it in the elevator, in car trunk, storage in a small place.

The vehicle is suitable for travel speed up to 25 km/h.

The invention is presented in closer detail in the implementation examples in the drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a simplified side view of the vehicle, Fig. 2 is a simplified top view, Fig. 3 is a partial side view of the rear part of the vehicle and Fig. 4 is a partial top view of the rear part of the vehicle.

According to the invention, the vehicle has a frame 1 connecting the front wheel 2 with a platform 3 set on the common axle 4 of the rear wheels 5. The front wheel 2 is preferably at least twice as big as the rear wheels 5 and on its axle 7 a motor 6 is fixed, supplied from the battery 8, fixed to the platform 3 from the bottom at the side of the greater plane. The frame 1 is made of tube, slanting towards the rear wheels and in side view has preferably a shape of "L"with an angle directed upwards to facilitate carrying by hand, while the frame 1 is situated in a common plane with the front wheel 2. The frame 1 is from the top fixed to the platform 2, the bigger part of the area of which is in front to prevent the vehicle tippling backwards in case of the absence of the front loading. In the vicinity of the mass center"Q"of the vehicle, a disconnecting mechanism 9 is situated for dividing the vehicle into two parts, equipped with a lock 10 and a connector 11 for the cables. The frame 1 from the front side has a guide 12, holding the rod 14 of the handlebar 13, which rod 14 ends with the fork 15 set on the axle 7 of the front wheel 2. The rear wheels 5 are independently set on the axle 2 with bearings to ensure stability during movement. On the protrusion 18 a holder 17 is placed for mounting a seat 23 and hooks 19 for hanging baggage or a container. In addition, at the rear of the platform 3, a towing hook 20 is fixed for towing for example of an additional wagon. On the handlebar 13, not shown in the illustration, are placed instruments for the operation of the motor and the vehicle and brake levers for the front and rear brake. The platform 3 is additionally equipped with clamps 21 for fixing an additional battery 22 on the top surface 16. The platform 3 is additionally equipped with the foot friction brake 24 acting on the upper surface of the tires of the rear wheels 5 through pedals 25 fixed together with brake inserts 26 to the common turning axis 27, located under the platform 3 in its front part and in from of the pedals 25 and brake inserts 26. In another implementation, the frame 1 is elongated to the axle of the rear wheels 5 and is transversely disconnectedly fixed to it, for instance with bolts or non-disconnectedly by welding. In still another example of implementation, the frame 1 with the shape as in first example is connected with the vehicle axle 4 by the means of the intermediate construction 28, which construction 28 is with its rear side disconnectedly or non- disconnectedly fixed to the axle 4 of the rear wheels 5 of the vehicle and the construction element 28 has preferably a shape similar to the truss and in its openings the battery 8 is located. In the second and third example of implementation, the platform 3 forms a separate element, which covers the axle 4, battery 8 and construction element 28, while the platform 3 is disconnectedly fixed to the remaining elements.

In another implementation of the invention, the frame 1 in its lower part, in the region of the platform, has a shape of the horizontal line or similar to the horizontal line and then, indirectly or directly, disconnectedly or non- disconnectedly is fixed to the axle 4 of the rear wheels 5.