Self-propelled drive wheel

• US 20020011368A1
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LELY Research Holding AG
• Original Assignee: LELY Research Holding AG
• Inventors: Berg, Karel van den
• Application Number:
  US09/883,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20020011368A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/043 Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0046 the motor moving together with the vehicle body, i.e. moving independently from the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/00 Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel roller-skate driving mechanisms A63C17/12

Abstract

With a vehicle comprising a motor (5) and at least one rotatable element (1, 2; 10) which follows the ground, at least one rotatable element (1, 2; 10) is connected to a steering mechanism for controlling the direction of travel of the vehicle. The steering mechanism comprises means (11) for adjusting the momentary distance from the axis of rotation of at least a part of a rotatable element (1, 2; 1 0) to the ground or means for adjusting the momentary coefficient of friction of at least a part of a rotatable element (1, 2; 10). Thus, the vehicle has a simple steering mechanism.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a motor (5) and at least one rotatable element (1, 2;

10) which is in contact with the ground during travelling of the vehicle, whereby at least one rotatable element (1, 2;

10) is connected to a steering mechanism for controlling the direction of travel of the vehicle, characterized in that the steering mechanism comprises means (11) for adjusting the momentary distance from the axis of rotation of at least a part of a rotatable element (1, 2;

10) to the ground.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means (11) comprise an element with a variable volume.

3. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the means (11) comprise an element which is capable of being folded in or out, or an element which is capable of sliding in and out (e.g. a telescopic element).

4. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (11) comprise an element with a variable coefficient of friction.

6. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotatable element (1, 2;

10) is constituted by a roller (10) in which the motor (5) is disposed.

7. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vehicle comprises two wheels or rollers (1, 2;

10) which are interconnected by means of a fixed axis.

8. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the vehicle is. provided with a driving weight (5-7) which is displaceable by means of the motor (5).

9. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that during travelling the contact surface of the vehicle with the ground is substantially in one line which is situated in a plane extending perpendicular to the ground and through the axis of rotation of the rotatable element (1, 2;

10).

5. A vehicle comprising a motor (5) and at least one rotatable element (1, 2;

10) which is in contact with the ground during travelling of the vehicle, whereby at least one rotatable element (1, 2;

10) is connected to a steering mechanism for controlling the direction of travel of the vehicle, characterized in that the steering mechanism comprises means for adjusting the momentary coefficient of friction of at least a part of a rotatable element (1, 2;

10).