Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02352425 2001-05-28
wo oinss4s rcT~~oo~s
A PASSENGER VEHICLE
The invention relates to a vehicle according to the
preamble of claim 1. Passenger vehicles are generally known in
many different designs.
The invention aims at providing a compact and simple
passenger vehicle. According to the invention this is achieved
by the measures mentioned in the characterizing part of
claim 1.
The invention will now be explained in further detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment
of a passenger vehicle according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows schematically a part of the vehicle
depicted in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle
shown in Figures 1 and 2, and
Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a further
embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention.
Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a first
embodiment of a passenger vehicle according to the invention.
The vehicle comprises two wheels 1, 2 and a cabin 3 with a
seat 4, control devices 5 and an instrument panel 6. The cabin
3 may be a closed one and may be made (at least partially)
from a transparent material. Instead of the cabin 3 it is also
possible to provide a (partially) open passenger space. The
control devices 5 may be designed as a steering wheel or, as
3o depicted, as control levers. For protection purposes the
outside of the wheels 1, 2 is provided with cover plates 7.
The vehicle further comprises a (non-shown) motor for
its drive . Said motor may be designed as a propeller motor, a
jet engine or a linear motor. In the exemplary embodiment the
motor is constituted by an electric motor with an energy
source such as an accumulator and/or a solar cell. The motor
with its accumulator forms, possibly together with an extra
CA 02352425 2001-05-28
wo oinss4s
2
weight, a driving weight 8 (see Figure 2) for the vehicle.
Said driving weight 8 may be rigidly connected to the cabin 3,
but may also be rotatably bearing-supported loose from the
cabin 3, as will be explained hereinafter with reference to
the figures.
On the inner side of the wheels 1, 2 the vehicle is
provided with a plurality of rollers 9, the lowest one of
which on the inner side of each wheel l, 2 is capable of being
driven by the motor. The rollers 9 co-operate with the wheels
l0 1, 2, e.g. due to the fact that the rollers 9 are provided
with teeth and the inside of the wheels 1, 2 is provided with
a toothing. The rollers 9 are connected to a circular rail 10
which is disposed concentrically with the relevant wheel. When
in another embodiment the motor is designed such that air is
required and waste products are formed, said rail 10 may also
be provided with an inlet I1 and an outlet 12 for the motor.
In that case a fuel tank may also serve as a driving weight 8.
With the aid of the driven rollers 9 the driving
weight 8 connected thereto is displaced, viz. is rotated about
the line forming the imaginary, common axis of rotation of the
wheels 1, 2. Consequently, the centre of gravity of the
vehicle is displaced in such a manner that the vehicle is set
in motion from a standstill. By bringing, by means of the
rollers 9, the driving weight 8 into a position in which it is
situated in the direction of travel in front of the contact
surface of the vehicle with the ground, and by keeping it in
said position, it is achieved that the vehicle accelerates.
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, it is possible
to rotate the driving weight 8 a little backwards relative to
the imaginary axis of rotation, so that it is situated in the
direction of travel just in front of the contact surface of
the vehicle with the ground, as a result of which the
occurring frictional forces can be compensated and the vehicle
maintains a constant speed. For the purpose of slowing down
the driving weight 8, by rotation about the imaginary axis of
rotation, is brought into a position in which it is situated
in the direction of travel behind the contact surface of the
CA 02352425 2001-05-28
wo olnss4s 3 rc~rmn,ooioo~
vehicle with the ground (see also Figure 3). The vehicle may
further be provided with non-shown additional brake means.
For steering the vehicle there is provided a control
system which is adapted for adjusting the driving ratio
between the wheels 1, 2 by the motor. It is also possible for
the motor to drive selectively neither of the two wheels 1, 2,
one of the two wheels 1, 2 or both wheels 1, 2. Further the
momentary driving direction of the wheels 1, 2 can be set. In
this way it is possible to influence the direction of travel
of the vehicle .
As shown in Figure 2, the driving weight 8 is
connected to the rollers 9 and the rail or tube 10, so that
the driving weight 8 is bearing-supported so as to be
rotatable about the imaginary, common axis of rotation
relative to the wheels 1, 2. The cabin 3 is rotatably bearing-
supported relative to the driving weight 8 by means of rollers
13. Consequently, the cabin 3 is bearing-supported so as to be
rotatable about the common, imaginary, horizontal axis of
rotation, not only relative to the driving weight 8 but also
to the wheels 1, 2. By means of a brake 14 the cabin 3 is
temporarily fixedly connected to the driving weight 8. As soon
as the driving weight 8 is displaced in such a manner that
moving along of the cabin 3 is undesired, the brake 14 is
detached and, as will be set out hereinafter, the cabin 3 will
be displaced relative to the driving weight 8.
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle
shown in Figures 1 and 2. The driving weight is again
indicated by the reference numeral 8, in this situation in a
position of rest in which it is located substantially over the
3o contact surface of the vehicle with the ground. By the
reference numeral 8' the same driving weight is indicated, but
now in a more backward position in which the vehicle slows
down.
The orientation of the cabin 3 relative to the
horizon (or, if desired, relative to the ground) can be
adjusted by means of a measuring and control system. This
system comprises measuring means for determining the current
CA 02352425 2001-05-28
wo omas~8 rc-rmn,,uoroos~s
4
orientation of the cabin 3 relative to the horizon (or, if
desired, the ground) and control means for correcting said
orientation, if required. The measuring means may e.g. be
designed as a spirit level 15, as angle sensors or as
acceleration sensors. The control means may comprise a (non-
shown) extra motor for rotating the cabin 3 relative to the
driving weight 8 about the imaginary axis of rotation through
a desired angle.
The vehicle is not only suitable for transporting
persons by land, but may also be used as a vessel, in the
latter situation the running surface of the wheels 1, 2 being
provided with blades or paddles. These blades or paddles may
be designed as elements which are capable of sliding in and
out or being folded in and out, the vehicle thus becoming an
amphibious vehicle which. is employable both by land and by
water.
For the purpose of enhancing security, the lateral
sides of the vehicle may further be provided with a (non-
shown) roller bar.
Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a further
embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention. In this
situation the vehicle is suitable for transporting an invalid
in a wheelchair. To that end at the back of the vehicle there
is disposed a door 16 which is capable of being folded down
(indicated in its folded down position by the reference
numeral 16' ) . Via the folded down door 16' the wheelchair can
easily be moved into the cabin 3 of the vehicle.
