Solar-powered quadricycle with regenerative and dissipative braking

• US 8,640,796 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2012
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WZI, Inc.
• Original Assignee: WZI, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Richard, Wilson, Mary Jane, Frederick, Jesse
• Primary Examiner(s): WALTERS, JOHN DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US13/470,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20130299251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 180/2.2, 180/65.1, 180/65.21, 180/65.31, 188/24.16, 188/24.21, 188/79.54, 303/152, 280/212, 280/214, 280/231
• US Class Current: 180/2.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2016/003 solar power driven
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/24 with additional mechanical or electromagnetic braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/01 Motorcycles with four or more wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/003
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/85 Solar cells
• 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 solar-powered vehicle with regenerative and mechanical braking includes a chassis or frame, a seat mounted to the frame, a rear axle rotatably supported on the frame, spaced apart left and right rear wheels mounted on the rear axle, and at least one front wheel mounted on the frame. The vehicle includes a selectively engageable regenerative braking system and a selectively engageable mechanical braking system. A lever for engaging the braking systems has three positions, wherein at a first position a reed switch on the lever engages a magnetic source, disabling the regenerative braking system. At a second position, the reed switch disengages the magnetic source, enabling the regenerative braking system. At a third position of the lever, the mechanical braking system is engaged.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

at least one seat supported by said frame;

a rear axle rotatably supported on the frame;

spaced apart left and right rear wheels mounted on the rear axle;

at least one front wheel mounted on the frame;

a first chain drive assembly coupled to the left rear wheel;

a first pedal associated with the first chain drive assembly for operation of the first chain drive assembly by a user of the vehicle;

a second chain drive assembly coupled to the right rear wheel;

a second pedal associated with the second chain drive assembly for operation of the second chain drive assembly by a user of the vehicle;

a selectively engageable regenerative braking system coupled to a wheel of the vehicle for capturing a rotational energy of said wheel, thereby slowing the vehicle;

a selectively engageable mechanical braking system coupled to a wheel of the vehicle for slowing the vehicle;

a lever for engaging said regenerative braking system and said mechanical braking system, the lever mounted to the frame of the vehicle,

wherein, at a first position of said lever, a reed switch mounted on said lever engages a magnetic source mounted on said frame, the regenerative braking system of the vehicle being disabled, and

at a second position of said lever, the reed switch mounted on said lever disengages the magnetic source, thereby enabling the regenerative braking system, and

at a third position of said lever, the mechanical braking system of the vehicle being engaged.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising:

at least one photovoltaic cell supported on said frame; and

a motor in electrical communication with said at least one photovoltaic cell, the motor operatively coupled to at least one wheel of said vehicle to propel said vehicle when said motor is in operation.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said chain drive assemblies comprises a multi-geared chain drive, the vehicle further comprising a gear selector for adjusting the gear ratio of the chain drive.