Tilting vehicle

• US 20060097471A1
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brinks Westmaas B.V.
• Original Assignee: Brinks Westmaas B.V.
• Inventors: Van Den Brink, Christopher Ralph, Kroonen, Hendrik Marinus
• Granted Patent: US 7,600,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/124.103
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/122 Trikes
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 25/04 Floor-type foot rests
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/027 Motorcycles with three wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/05 characterised by a single rear wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/08 with steering devices acting on two or more wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/10 with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends

Abstract

A vehicle provided with at least three wheels, with a first frame part having at least two footboards, and a second frame part. The second frame part is connected to the first frame part in such a way that it can tilt about a tilting axis running in the longitudinal direction. The second frame part includes a control element and a driver'"'"'s seat. A tilting member is connected to a first and second frame part, in order to exert a tilting force upon the second frame part on the basis of a control signal, a sensor being connected to the first frame part for measuring a force or moment exerted by a driver upon the first frame part and/or to determine a position of the rider relative to the footboard. The sensor is connected to the tilting member and feeds the control signal to the tilting member.

Claims

1. A vehicle (1) provided with at least three wheels (17, 18, 19), with a first frame part (2) that is provided with at least two footrest positions (14, 15) and a second frame part (3) that is connected to the first frame part in such a way that it can tilt about a tilting axis (5) running in the longitudinal direction, which second frame part (3) comprises a control element (7) and a driver'"'"'s seat (6), characterized in that a tilting element (8) is connected to the first frame part (2) and the second frame part (3), in order to exert a tilting force and/or moment of force upon the second frame part (3) on the basis of a control signal, a sensor (9) being connected to the first frame part (2) for the purpose of measuring a force or moment exerted by a preparer upon a first frame part (2) and/or to determine a position of the rider relative to the footboard, which sensor (9) is connected on the other side to the tilting element (8) and feeds the control signal to the tilting element.

2. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second frame part (3) comprises two footrest positions (12, 13).

3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the tilting element (8) exerts a force upon the second frame part (3) that is opposed in direction to a force exerted by external circumstances upon the second frame part (3).

4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, in which the tilting element (8) exerts a force upon the second frame part (3) that is directed towards a first side of the vehicle, which first side lies opposite the side of the vehicle on which the footrest position (14, 15) of the first frame part (2) on which a pushing force is exerted by the rider is situated.

5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, in which the tilting element (8) exerts little or no force in the direction opposite to the direction of the force.

6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the first frame part (2) is provided with at least two wheels (18, 19).

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which a part of the first frame part, preferably the footrest positions (14, 15) of the first frame part (2), is situated at a virtually fixed distance of the wheels of the vehicle from a carriageway.

8. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the footrest positions (14, 15) comprise footboards each provided with a relatively narrow raised edge (16, 17) against which a rider can rest his foot in the lateral direction.

9. The tilting vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the tilting element (8) generates a tilting force that is directed in the opposite direction to a tilting caused by a driver.

10. The tilting vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the control signal blocks the tilting element (8) when a predetermined tilted position has been reached by the second frame part (3).

11. The tilting vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which a tilting of the second frame part (3) from a tilted position to an upright position can take place with little resistance from the tilting element (8).

12. The tilting vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which a blocking mechanism is present for locking of the second frame part in a tilted position or an upright position in a stationary vehicle, and with a drive-off blocking mechanism in the case of which the vehicle cannot be driven off if the blocking mechanism is blocking the second frame part.

13. The tilting vehicle as claimed in claim 12, in which the drive-off blocking comprises a brake.

14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, in which the tilting element (8) exerts a force upon the second frame part (3) that is opposed in direction to a force exerted by external circumstances upon the second frame part (3).

15. The vehicle as claimed in claim 4, in which the tilting element (8) exerts little or no force in the direction opposite to the direction of the force.

16. The vehicle as claimed in claim 14, in which the tilting element (8) exerts a force upon the second frame part (3) that is directed towards a first side of the vehicle, which first side lies opposite the side of the vehicle on which the footrest position (14, 15) of the first frame part (2) on which a pushing force is exerted by the rider is situated.