Lightweight electrically driven three-wheeled vehicle with low center of gravity and lightweight superstructure including improved braking system

• US 4,313,517 A
• Filed: 01/11/1980
• Issued: 02/02/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Microcar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: American Microcar Incorporated
• Inventors: Pivar, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McGiehan, Donn
• Application Number:
  US06/111,199
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 180/205, 180/207, 180/210, 180/215, 180/216, 180/217, 180/65 R, 180/65 A, 280/282, 280/289 S, 280/274, 296/78.1
• US Class Current: 180/216
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0487 simplified doors related to cabins of, e.g. golf carts, tractors, jeeps, cranes, forklifts, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/003 Dynamic electric braking by short circuiting the motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/04 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/08 with single front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 17/086 Frame mounted hoods specially adapted for motorcycles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A three-wheeled vehicle is provided to operate from a source of power constituted by two batteries which constitute approximately one-third of the weight of the unloaded vehicle. The batteries are so positioned as to locate the center of gravity of the vehicle relatively low. The vehicle is provided with a superstructure which is relatively light so that the center of the gravity is not greatly affected thereby. The superstructure provides protection for the passenger or passengers who are sheltered thereby. The passengers are seated at a relatively high position relative to the ground traversed so that they obtain a feeling of security and confidence and can readily see because their relatively high position with respect to other vehicles or obstacles in the vicinity. The additional weight of the batteries is accommodated by the provision of a compound braking system consisting of mechanical and electro-magnetic braking elements.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising frame means adapted to support at least one passenger, a source of power, three wheels on and supporting said frame means for ground traversing movement, an electric motor coupled to and driving at least one of said wheels and being coupled to and driven by said source of power, said source of power being located relatively low in said vehicle and constituting a substantial portion of the weight of the vehicle whereby to define for said vehicle a relatively low center of gravity, said wheels defining respective axes of rotation and said center of gravity being substantially no higher than said axes, the source of power including a battery pack having a weight of at least about one hundred pounds, braking means for braking said vehicle inclusive of the weight of said battery pack, said braking means including mechanical and electromagnetic brakes cooperatively operable, a braking light, and a braking light circuit coupled to said light to supply electrical current to the light for operating the same when said braking means is operated, said braking means including means at least partly constituting said electromagnetic brakes for electromagnetically braking said vehicle by the use of said current and steering means coupled to one of said wheels and including a yoke with two handles, said braking means including levers on said handles to control said mechanical brakes and rotary members on said handles to selectively actuate said batteries and electro-magnetic brakes.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said center of gravity with said vehicle unloaded is no more than about 13 inches above ground.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising passenger seating means in said frame means for seating passengers at a height of about 26-32 inches above the ground, said center of gravity with said vehicle carrying a passenger load of about 400 pounds being no more than about 28 inches above ground.

4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2 comprising passenger seating means in said frame means for seating passengers at a height of about 26-32 inches above the ground, said center of gravity with said vehicle carrying a passenger load of about 400 pounds being no more than about 28 inches above ground.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said source of power includes at least a battery pack constituting at least about one-third of the weight of the unloaded vehicle.

6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5 wherein two of said wheels are arranged in parallel with each other and are located to the rear of the third of said wheels, said battery pack being located closer to the parallel wheels than to said third wheel.

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein the battery pack is located at least partly between the parallel wheels.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein said vehicle has a longitudinal axis, comprising a steering column connected to said third wheel and located generally on said longitudinal axis, and steering means coupled to said steering column and centered about an axis spaced laterally from said longitudinal axis.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein said frame means includes a lightweight canopy including a framework of hollow tubing and plastic sheeting on said framework to provide an enclosure for passengers.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electric motor is a D.C. motor and said battery pack includes two lead-acid storage batteries adapted for being selectively used separately or in series.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising pedals on said framework and coupled to one of said wheels to supply motive power thereto.

12. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame means includes a canopy including first and second connected planar sections, the first section being rearwardly inclined at an angle substantially greater than that of the second section which extends rearwardly above said source of power whereby to generate a vertical air resistance vector generally in the vicinity of the source of power.

13. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein the angle of the first section is about 64°

±

10% and the angle of the second section is about 8°

±

10%.

14. A vehicle as claimed in claim 13 wherein the second section is resiliently hinged to the first section.

15. A vehicle as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first section has an area of about 1500 square inches ±

10% and the second section has an area of about 850 square inches ±

10%.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein said frame means includes a rear portion including third and fourth connected planar sections extending in sequence downwardly from said second section, said fourth section being of more vertical attitude than said third section.

17. A vehicle as claimed in claim 16 wherein the angle of the third section is about 54°

±

10% and the angle of the fourth section is about 94°

±

10%.

18. A vehicle as claimed in claim 17 wherein the area of the third section is about 900 square inches ±

10% and the area of the fourth section is about 630 square inches ±

10%.

19. A vehicle as claimed in claim 16 wherein the rear portion is resiliently urged towards said first section.

20. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein said canopy encloses a volume of about 39 cubic feet and has a transparent area of about 57 square feet whereby to promote a greenhouse effect.

21. A vehicle as claimed in claim 18 wherein said canopy encloses a volume of about 39 cubic feet and has a transparent area of about 57 square feet whereby to promote a greenhouse effect.

22. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein said canopy encloses a volume in cubic feet and has a transparent area in square feet which is at least about twice the volume in cubic feet.

23. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein the vehicle has a weight related to said source of power to enable the vehicle to be driven at a speed of 15-25 miles per hour.

24. A vehicle as claimed in claim 23 wherein said motor has a rating of from 1/2 to 1 horsepower.

25. A vehicle as claimed in claim 23 wherein said source of power weighs about one-third the weight of the vehicle.

26. A vehicle as claimed in claim 25 wherein the vehicle has a weight of about 300 pounds.

27. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein said canopy is detachable.

28. A vehicle as claimed in claim 27 wherein said canopy is detachable.

29. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein said canopy includes detachable doors and is substantially entirely covered with transparent plastic of about 0.006-0.010" thickness.

30. A vehicle as claimed in claim 17 wherein said canopy includes detachable doors and is substantially entirely covered with transparent plastic of about 0.006-0.010" thickness.

31. A vehicle as claimed in claim 29 comprising elastic belt means holding said doors together and permitting limited outward displacement of the same.