Combination pedal/motor driven tricycle

• US 7,017,685 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Schoenberg
• Original Assignee: Andrew Schoenberg
• Inventors: Schoenberg, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): FISCHMANN, BRYAN R
• Application Number:
  US10/369,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20030217874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/2.1, 180/2.2, 180/210, 180213-216
• US Class Current: 180/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 16/00 Arrangements in connection with power supply of propulsion units in vehicles from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind B60L8/00; marine propulsion by wind motors driving water-engaging propulsive elements B63H13/00; wind motors specially adapted for installation on vehicles F03D9/32
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0416 Arrangement in the rear part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0061 the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2016/003 solar power driven
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/12 Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/02 Tricycles children's tricycles B62K9/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/60 power-driven at axle parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/85 Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/90 Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof

Abstract

A zero-emissions electric three-wheeled, enclosed scooter with two 1 hp motors driven from batteries charged by solar panels and a pedal-driven generator; also incorporating an innovative rear wheel drive and suspension system and a tilt capability to reduce parking space requirement to approximately one quarter of that of a conventional automobile.

Claims

1. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle comprising:

a. a carriage frame having a steering end, and a driving end with a support platform there between structured to provide a passenger compartment with ingress and egress and seating for an operator, when in use;

b. a steering wheel rotatably and pivotally mounted on the steering end,

c. a steering assembly operably associated with the steering wheel and steering end to turn said steering wheel in a desired direction by an operator,

d. a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on the driving end,

e. dual direction direct current permanent magnet with pulse width modulation speed control electric motors mounted on the frame and operably associated with each of the drive wheels to move the tricycle at a desired speed and direction and provide differential wheel speed needed when going around curves eliminating the need for a differential gear,

f. a storage battery mounted to the frame operably associated with the electric motors to power the same,

g. a pedal operated electric generator mounted to the frame and operably associated with the storage battery to charge said battery,

h. an aerodynamic enclosure with a top, windows and door surrounding the passenger compartment attached to the frame through which an operator may enter and exit the passenger compartment, said enclosure structured to minimize air resistance to enable the vehicle to be powered by minimal sized motors and batteries meeting the desired performance load and speed requirements,

i. a solar panel mounted to the top of the aerodynamic enclosure also operably associated with the storage battery to charge said battery, and

j. operating controls associated with the electric motor and battery to selectively activate the motor to drive the drive wheels and power the tricycle at a desired speed and forward and reverse directions;

whereby said tricycle components are designed to provide enough power for an operator to meet urban commuter applications within the constraints of energy available from solar, battery and pedal sources.

2. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle comprising:

a. a carriage frame having a front steering end, and a rear driving end with a a passenger compartment between the front steering end and rear driving end with ingress and egress and seating for an operator, when in use wherein the rear driving end of the carriage frame has a support platform structured to allow tilting up the front steering end of the tricycle to stand on the rear driving end support platform, when parked;

b. a steering wheel,

c. a steering assembly rotatably and pivotally mounted on the steering end and operably associated with the steering wheel and steering end to turn said steering wheel in a desired direction by an operator,

d. a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on the driving end,

e. dual direction direct current permanent magnet electric motors with drive shafts mounted to the frame and operably associated with each of the drive wheels to move the tricycle at a desired speed and direction and provide differential wheel speed needed when going around curves eliminating the need for a differential gear,

f. at least one storage battery mounted to the frame operably associated with the electric motors to power the same,

g. a pedal operated electric generator mounted to the frame and operably associated with the storage battery to charge said battery,

h. an aerodynamic enclosure with a top, windows and door surrounding the passenger compartment attached to the frame through which an operator may enter and exit the passenger compartment, the aerodynamic enclosure structured to minimize air resistance to enable the vehicle to be powered by minimal sized motors and batteries meeting the desired performance load and speed requirements,

i. at least one solar panel mounted to the top of the aerodynamic enclosure operably associated with the storage batteries to charge said batteries, and

j. operating controls associated with the electric motors and battery to selectively activate the motors and batteries to drive the drive wheels and power the tricycle at a desired speed and forward and reverse directions;

whereby said tricycle components are designed to provide enough power for an operator to meet urban commuter applications within the constraints of energy available from solar, battery and pedal sources.

3. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 2, wherein the support platform is sized such that the tricycle, when tilted on the rear driving end support platform, takes up approximately one fourth of a passenger car'"'"'s parking space.

4. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 2, including a pair of rear wheel suspension and drive assemblies associated with each drive wheel having a combination chain drive and V-belt drive using different size pulleys and chain rings to provide a desired wheel drive ratio and some slippage under high loads or shock loads when driven by the electric motors.

5. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 4, including two rear wheel drive and swing arm assemblies each comprising:

a. a pie-slice-shaped frame with

i. a spine having a pivoting end attached to the bottom of the carriage frame and an upper end,

ii. a vertical fork with an upper end attached to the spine upper end with tines and tine ends, and

iii. a forked horizontal swing arm with a front end attached to the pivoting end of the spine with tines and tine ends,

 

the vertical fork and horizontal swing arm tines spaced apart to accommodate the width and diameter of a drive wheel and partially surround the drive wheel such that the drive wheel axle is rotatably mounted to the tine ends, and

b. a spring suspension shock absorber attached to the upper end of the vertical fork and the vehicle frame to absorb road shocks as the pie-slice-shaped frame pivots.

6. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 5, including two rear wheel drive and swing arm assemblies, each having:

a. a metal block attached to the front end of the forked horizontal swing arm,

b. a cylinder with an inside and an outside rotatably attached to the carriage frame,

c. a swinging plates attached on each side of the metal block rotatably mounted on the outside of the cylinder,

d. the drive shaft concentrically rotatably mounted on the inside of the cylinder,

e. a small drive sprocket mounted on an outside part of the drive shaft and aligned with a large sprocket mounted on the wheel,

f. a large diameter v-belt pulley mounted on an inside part of the drive shaft,

g. small diameter v-belt drive pulley attached to the motor shaft,

h. a continuous chain drive connecting the small drive sprocket to the large sprocket, and

i. a continuous belt drive connecting the large and small v-belt pulleys.

7. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 2, wherein the steering assembly comprises:

a. a pivoting fork assembly with a top, and two tines with left and right ends spaced apart to accommodate the width and diameter of a steering wheel whose axle is rotatably mounted between the right and left ends, and the top pivotally attached to the carriage frame to rotate the steering wheel,

b. spring suspension shock absorbers incorporated in each of the tines to absorb road shock,

c. a steering bar with ends attached to the top of the pivoting fork assembly to turn it in a desired direction,

d. a steering handle turnably mounted to the carriage frame, and

e. steering cables attached to the ends of the steering bar and operably associated with the steering handle to turn the steering bar in response to the movement of the steering handle.

8. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 2, including caliper brakes attached to the steering assembly and rear driving end and operably associated with the drive and steering wheels to selectively stop them in a braking mode, and allow them to rotate in a free wheeling mode.

9. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 2, wherein the solar panel provides in excess of 860 w-hrs per sunny day.

10. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle comprising:

a. a tiltable carriage frame having a front steering end, and a rear driving end with a passenger compartment between the front steering end and rear driving end with ingress and egress and seating for a passenger, when in use, wherein the rear driving end of the carriage frame has a support platform structured to allow tilting up the front steering end of the tricycle to stand on the rear driving end support platform, when parked;

b. a steering wheel rotatably and pivotally mounted on the steering end,

c. a steering assembly operably associated with the steering wheel to turn said steering wheel in a desired direction by an operator,

d. a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on the drive end,

e. a pair of rear wheel suspension and drive assemblies associated with each drive wheel having a combination chain drive and V-belt drive using different size pulleys and chain rings to provide a desired wheel drive ratio and some slippage under high loads or shock loads when driven by electric motors,

f. dual direction electric motors operably associated with each of the drive assemblies to move the tricycle'"'"'s drive wheels at a desired speed and direction and provide for the differential wheel speed needed when going around curves, eliminating the need for a differential gear,

g. at least one storage battery mounted on the frame operably associated with the electric motors to power the motors,

h. a pedal operated electric generator mounted to the frame and operably associated with the storage battery to charge the storage battery,

i. an aerodynamic enclosure with a top, windows and door surrounding the passenger compartment attached to the frame through which a passenger may enter and exit the passenger compartment, said enclosure structured to minimize air resistance to enable the vehicle to be powered by minimally sized motors and batteries meeting a desired performance load and speed requirements,

j. a solar panel mounted to the top of the aerodynamic enclosure operably associated with the storage battery to charge the storage battery, and

k. operating controls associated with the electric motors and storage battery to selectively activate the motors and storage battery to drive the drive wheels and power the vehicle at a desired speed and forward and reverse directions;

whereby said vehicle components are designed to provide enough power for an operator to meet urban commuter applications within the constraints of energy available from solar, battery and pedal sources.

11. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 10, wherein the rear wheel suspension and drive assemblies each comprise:

a. a pie-slice-shaped frame with

i. a spine having a pivoting end attached to the bottom of the carriage frame and an upper end,

ii. a vertical fork with an upper end attached to the spine upper end with tines and tine ends, and

iii. a forked horizontal swing arm with a front end attached to the pivoting end of the spine with tines and tine ends,

 

the vertical fork and horizontal swing arm tines spaced apart to accommodate the width and diameter of a drive wheel and partially surround the drive wheel such that the drive wheel axle is rotatably mounted to the tine ends of the vertical forked end of the swing arm, and

b. spring suspension shock absorbers associated with the vertical fork tines and vehicle frame to absorb road shocks as the pie-slice-shaped frame pivots,

c. a metal block attached to the front end of the forked horizontal swing arm,

d. a cylinder with an inside and an outside attached to the carriage frame,

f. a swinging plates attached on each side of the metal block rotatably mounted on the outsides of the cylinder,

g. a drive shaft concentrically bearing mounted on the inside of the cylinder,

h. a small drive sprocket mounted on the outside of the drive shaft and aligned with a large sprocket mounted on the wheel,

i. a large diameter v-belt pulley mounted on the inside end of the drive shaft,

j. a small diameter v-belt pulley attached to the motor shafts,

k. a continuous chain drive connecting the small drive sprocket to the large sprocket, and

l. a continuous belt drive connecting the large and small v-belt pulleys.

12. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle according to claim 11, wherein the steering assembly comprises:

a. a pivoting fork assembly with a top, and two tines with left and right ends spaced apart to accommodate the width and diameter of a steering wheel whose axle is rotatably mounted between the left and right ends and the top pivotally attached to the carriage frame to rotate the steering wheel,

b. spring suspension shock absorbers incorporated in each of the tines connecting the top of the pivoting fork assembly to the carriage frame,

c. a steering bar with ends attached to the top of the pivoting fork assembly to turn it in a desired direction,

d. a steering handle turnably mounted to the tilting frame, and

e. steering cables attached to the ends of the steering bar and operably associated with the steering handle to turn the steering bar in response to the movement of the steering handle.

13. A combination Pedal/Motor Driven Tricycle comprising:

a. a tiltable carriage frame having a front steering end, and a rear driving end with a passenger compartment between the front steering end and rear driving end with ingress and egress and seating for an operator, when in use, wherein the rear driving end of the carriage frame has a support platform structure to allow tilting to upend the steering end of the tricycle to stand on the rear driving end support platform, when parked;

b. a steering wheel rotatably and pivotally mounted on the steering end,

c. a steering assembly operably associated with the steering wheel and steering end to turn said steering wheel in a desired direction by an operator, the steering assembly consisting of

i. a pivoting fork assembly with a top, and two tines with left and right ends spaced apart to accommodate the width and diameter of a steering wheel whose axle is rotatably mounted between the right and left ends, and the top pivotally attached to the carriage frame to rotate the steering wheel,

ii. spring suspension shock absorbers incorporated in each of the tines to absorb road shock,

iii. a steering bar with ends attached to the top of the pivoting fork assembly to turn it in a desired direction,

iv. a steering handle turnably mounted to the carriage frame, and

v. steering cables attached to the ends of the steering bar and operably associated with the steering handle to turn the steering bar in response to the movement of the steering handle,

d. a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on the driving end,

e. a pair of rear wheel suspension and drive assemblies associated with each drive wheel having;

i. a combination chain drive and V-belt drive using different size pulleys and chain rings to provide a desired wheel drive ratio and some slippage under high loads or shock loads when driven by electric motors, and

ii. a pie-slice-shaped frame with

1. a spine having a pivoting end attached to the bottom of the carriage frame and an upper end,

2. a vertical fork with an upper end attached to the spine upper end with tines and tine ends, and

3. a forked horizontal swing arm with a front end attached to the pivoting end of the spine with tines and tine ends, the vertical fork and horizontal swing arm tines with dimensions spaced apart to accommodate the width and diameter of a drive wheel to partially surround the drive wheel,

4. a spring shock absorbing assembly attached to the upper end of the vertical fork between the vertical fork and vehicle frame to allow the pie slice shaped frame to pivot and absorb road shocks,

5. a metal block attached to the front end of the forked horizontal swing arm,

6. a cylinder with an inside and outside attached to the carriage frame housing,

7. a swinging plates attached on each side of the metal block rotatably mounted on the outsides of the cylinder,

8. a drive shaft concentrically mounted with ball bearings on the inside of the cylinder,

f. two reversible direct current permanent magnet electric motors with drive shafts mounted on the carriage frame, each with

1. a small drive sprocket mounted on the outside of the motor drive shaft,

2. a large sprocket mounted on the drive wheel axle and aligned with the small drive sprocket,

3. a large diameter v-belt pulley mounted on the inside of the motor drive shaft,

4. a small diameter v-belt drive pulley attached to the inside of the motor drive shaft,

5. a continuous chain drive connecting the small drive sprocket to the large sprocket, and

6. a continuous belt drive connecting the motor drive pulley and v-belt pulleys operably associated with the electric motors for each of the drive wheels to move the tricycle in a desired direction, as the electric motors provide for the differential wheel speed needed when going around curves eliminating the need for a differential gear,

g. at least one storage battery mounted on the carriage frame operably associated with the electric motors to power the same,

h. a pedal operated electric generator mounted on the carriage frame and operably associated with the storage batteries to charge the batteries,

i. an aerodynamic enclosure with a top, windows and door surrounding the passenger compartment attached to the frame through which an operator may enter and exit the passenger compartment, said enclosure structured to minimize air resistance to enable the tricycle to be powered by minimally sized motors and batteries meeting the desired performance load and speed requirements,

j. a solar panel mounted to the top of the aerodynamic enclosure operably associated with the storage battery to charge the storage batteries, and

k. operating controls associated with the electric motors and storage batteries to selectively activate the same to drive the drive wheels and power the tricycle at a desired speed and forward and reverse direction.