Direct-drive double wing scooter

A direct-drive double wing scooter includes a frame, an actuation assembly, a drive assembly, and a transmission assembly. The actuation assembly includes left and right swing wings each pivoted close to a front end of the frame through a pivot. The drive assembly includes a first turning shaft and a second turning shaft penetrating two sides of the frame. A distance between the first turning shaft and the pivot is defined as a first distance. A distance between a rear end of the right swing wing is defined as a second distance, or a distance between a rear end of the left swing wing is defined as a second distance. The first distance is in the range of 0.10-0.65 times the length of the second distance. The direct-drive double wing scooter provides a simple and reliable drive way and has transportation, amusement and fitness effects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a direct-drive double wing scooter, and more particularly to a direct-drive double wing scooter which provides a simple and reliable drive way different from that of a traditional bike and has transportation, amusement and fitness effects.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, the way for a bike to go forward is that the rider treads on a pair of pedals having an included angle of 180 degrees in a continuous circular motion and then wheels are driven through the associated drive components (such as, a large gear, a chain, a sprocket wheel . . . etc.). The wheels driven by the continuous rotation roll on the ground, so that the bike can go forward.

A conventional bike is provided with a seat for the rider to sit thereon. The rider is supported by the seat, such that the rider can tread on the pedals smoothly and safely for performing the continuous circular motion. The rider's body can be supported by the seat to provide a riding comfort for a long time, but the motility of the upper part of the body is reduced. The expected effect of sport and fitness is not good, and the fun and amusement of riding is decreased. As a result, the bike won't be used often in the future. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems and to develop a direct-drive double wing scooter which has a simple and reliable structure and provides a drive way different from that of a traditional bike and has transportation, amusement and fitness effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a direct-drive double wing scooter which provides a simple and reliable drive way different from that of a traditional bike. The direct-drive double wing scooter has transportation, amusement and fitness effects.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, the direct-drive double wing scooter of the present invention comprises a frame, an actuation assembly, a drive assembly, and a transmission assembly. A front end of the frame is provided with a handle unit and a front wheel disposed under the handle unit and controlled by the handle unit. A rear end of the frame is provided with a rear wheel. The actuation assembly comprises two swing wings each pivoted to the front end of the frame through a pivot. The two swing wings are a right swing wing located at a right side of the frame and a left swing wing located at a left side of the frame. The drive assembly comprises a first turning shaft and a second turning shaft. The first turning shaft and the second turning shaft penetrate through the left and right sides of the frame. One end of the first turning shaft is provided with a first gear. One end of the second turning shaft is provided with a second gear meshing with the first gear. The first gear and the second gear are located at the same side of the frame. Two ends of the first turning shaft are provided with a pair of cranks having an included angle of 180 degrees. A tail end of each crank is pivotally connected with a third turning shaft to lean against a corresponding one of the right swing wing and the left swing wing. The transmission assembly comprises a one-way sprocket wheel located at another end of the second turning shaft opposite the second gear, a third gear disposed at a wheel axle of the rear wheel, and a chain fitted around the one-way sprocket wheel and the third gear. A distance between the first turning shaft and the pivot is defined as a first distance. A distance between a rear end of the right swing wing and the pivot is defined as a second distance, or a distance between a rear end of the left swing wing and the pivot is defined as a second distance. The first distance is in the range of 0.10-0.65 times the length of the second distance. The two third turning shafts of the pair of cranks are a right third turning shaft in contact with the right swing wing and a left third turning shaft in contact with the left swing wing. When a connecting line between the right third turning shaft and the first turning shaft is perpendicular to the right swing wing, the right swing wing and the left swing wing form an upper dead point included angle. When a connecting line between the left third turning shaft and the first turning shaft is perpendicular to the left swing wing, the right swing wing and the left swing wing form a lower dead point included angle. The lower dead point included angle is greater than the upper dead point included angle. A difference between the lower dead point included angle and the upper dead point included angle is in the range of 0.05-3.80 degrees, or a ratio of the upper dead point included angle to the lower dead point included angle is in the range of 0.85-1.00.

According to the aforesaid technical features, the difference between the lower dead point included angle and the upper dead point included angle is in the range of 0.05-3.80 degrees, and the ratio of the upper dead point included angle to the lower dead point included angle is in the range of 0.85-1.00.

According to the aforesaid technical features, the first distance is in the range of 0.18-0.65 times the length of the second distance.

According to the aforesaid technical features, the ratio of the upper dead point included angle to the lower dead point included angle is in the range of 0.90-1.00.

According to the aforesaid technical features, the upper dead point included angle is in the range of 10.46-36.20 degrees.

According to the aforesaid technical features, the lower dead point included angle is in the range of 10.51-40.00 degrees.

According to the aforesaid technical features, a vertical distance between the pivot and the ground is greater than or equal to a vertical distance between the first turning shaft and the ground.

According to the aforesaid technical features, a vertical distance between the pivot and the ground is equal to a vertical distance between the first turning shaft and the ground.

The direct-drive double wing scooter of the present invention provides a simple and reliable drive way and provides a drive mode different from that of a traditional bike and has transportation, amusement and fitness effect.

Due to the design of the difference between the lower dead point included angle and the upper dead point included angle, the right swing wing and the left swing wing are complementary to each other so that they won't be jammed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses a direct-drive double wing scooter which provides a simple and reliable drive way different from that of a traditional bike. The direct-drive double wing scooter has transportation, amusement and fitness effects.FIG. 1is a perspective view of a direct-drive double wing scooter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a side view of the direct-drive double wing scooter in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a schematic view showing a drive assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The direct-drive double wing scooter of the present invention comprises a frame10, an actuation assembly20, a drive assembly30, and a transmission assembly40. A front end of the frame10is provided with a handle unit11and a front wheel12disposed under the handle unit11and controlled by the handle unit11. A rear end of the frame10is provided with a rear wheel13. In practice, the front end of the frame10is further provided with a front outer pipe14and a front fork15inserted in the front outer pipe14. The front wheel12is pivotally connected to a lower end of the front fork15. The handle unit11is connected with an upper end of the front fork15.

The actuation assembly20comprises two swing wings22which are pivoted close to the front end of the frame10through a pivot21. A front end of each swing wing22is provided with a sleeve221for insertion of the pivot21. The sleeve221of each swing wing22is provided with at least one bearing23therein. The bearing23is located between the pivot21and the sleeve221. A rear end of each swing wing22is formed with a step section222which is inclined upward at a predetermined angle. The step section222may be further provided with a pedal. The two swing wings22further define a right swing wing223located at a right side of the frame10and a left swing wing224located at a left side of the frame10. The right swing wing223includes the corresponding step section222. The left swing wing224includes the corresponding step section222.

The drive assembly30is disposed at a position where the swing route of the two swing wings22relative to the frame10is located. The drive assembly30comprises a first turning shaft31and a second turning shaft32. The first turning shaft31and the second turning shaft32penetrate through the left and right sides of the frame10. One end of the first turning shaft31is provided with a first gear34, and one end of the second turning shaft32is provided with a second gear35meshing with the first gear34. The first gear34and the second gear35are located at the same side of the frame10. Two ends of the first turning shaft31are provided with a pair of cranks36having an included angle of 180 degrees. A tail end of each crank36is pivotally connected with a third turning shaft33to lean against a corresponding one of the right swing wing223and the left swing wing224and a drive member37fitted on the turning shaft33. In practice, the number of gear teeth of the first gear34is greater than the number of gear teeth of the second gear35.

The transmission assembly40comprises a one-way sprocket wheel41located at another end of the second turning shaft32opposite the second gear35, a third gear42disposed at a wheel axle of the rear wheel13, and a chain43fitted around the one-way sprocket wheel41and the third gear42.

When the direct-drive double wing scooter of the present invention is used, the rider grips the handle of the handle unit with both hands and treads on the right swing wing223and the left swing wing224by turns with both feet. The right swing wing223and the left swing wing224are swung up and down by the feet (as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 4) with the pivot21as an axis and a fulcrum. The reciprocal tread motion exerts a force to the drive member37as the force's application point. The drive members37drive the cranks36to generate torsion and directly rotate the first turning shaft31. Because the first gear34is disposed on the first turning shaft31and the first gear34engages with the second gear35, the first turning shaft31also drives the first gear34and the second gear35to rotate when the first turning shaft31is turned. Because the second turning shaft32is provided with the second gear35, the second turning shaft31is driven to rotate when the second gear35is turned. Because the second turning shaft32is provided with the one-way sprocket wheel41, the one-way sprocket wheel41is driven to rotate when the second turning shaft31is turned. Under the transmission of the one-way sprocket wheel41and the chain43, the third gear42is driven to turn along with the rear wheel13, enabling the rear wheel13to drive the direct-drive double wing scooter to go forward continuously. Thanks to the action of a speed change of the first gear34and the second gear35, the speed of the direct-drive double wing scooter can be increased greatly.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 3, the direct-drive double wing scooter of the present invention is further provided with a brake device51at a peripheral portion of the frame10relative to the rear wheel13. The handle unit11is provided with a brake lever52connected with the brake device51through a guide wire unit53. Under the action of the brake device51and the brake lever52, the present invention enhances the riding safety.

Besides, another end of each crank36, opposite the third turning shaft33, is provided with a loop clamp361for connection of the first turning shaft31. The loop clamp361is provided with a screw362for fastening the loop clamp361and the first turning shaft31. The third turning shaft33of the drive assembly30is sleeved with the drive member37. The drive member37is provided with at least one bearing38therein. The bearing38is located between the third turning shaft33and the drive member37, enabling the drive assembly30to get a smooth running.

When the direct-drive double wing scooter is in a stationary and non-riding state, the pivot21serve as the fulcrum and the drive member37serves as the force's application point. The force source of the force's application point is the gravity generated by the swing wing22(the right swing wing223or the left swing wing224). The drive member37drives the crank36to generate torsion and directly drives the first turning shaft31to rotate so that the center of the aforementioned torsion is located at the first turning shaft31. Therefore, the aforementioned torsion multiplied by the distance between the first turning shaft31and the pivot21is the minimum torque of the direct-drive double wing scooter. When in a riding state, a tread force is applied to the step section222at the rear end of the right swing wing223and the left swing wing224to generate a tread torque with the pivot21as the fulcrum. The applied tread force multiplied by the distance between the rear end of the right swing wing223or the left swing wing224and the pivot21is the tread torque. When the tread torque is greater than the minimum torque, the direct-drive double wing scooter is advanced.

The features of the present invention are further described hereinafter. Referring toFIG. 5, the distance between the first turning shaft31and the pivot21is defined as a first distance D1, so that the minimum torque is the torsion multiplied by the first distance D1. The distance between the rear end of the swing wing (for example, the distal end of the rear end of the right swing wing223) and the pivot21is defined as a second distance D2. The tread torque is the tread force multiplied by the second distance D2. The first distance D1is in the range of 0.10-0.65 times the length of the second distance D2and contains the end value. When the first distance D1is less than 0.10 times the length of the second distance D2, the included angle between the swing wing (e.g., the right swing wing223) and the ground is too large in the riding state. That is, the slope of the right swing wing223is too large, so that the rider's foot may fall easily to result in an injury. When the first distance D1is greater than 0.65 times the length of the second distance D2, the included angle between the swing wing (e.g., the right swing wing223) and the ground is too small in the riding state, which cannot achieve the exercise effect for the rider to tread the scooter. In addition, the limitations of the numerical ranges described in the present invention and the claims generally include end values. The vertical distance between the pivot21and the ground is less than or equal to or greater than the vertical distance between the first turning shaft31and the ground. Preferably, the vertical distance between the pivot21and the ground is greater than or equal to the vertical distance between the first turning shaft31and the ground. The rear end of each swing wing (such as, the rear end of the right swing wing223) is formed with the step section which inclines upward at a predetermined angle so as to prevent the swing wing from touching the ground when the swing wings are treaded by turns in a riding state.

Referring toFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B, for example, the vertical distance between the pivot21and the ground is equal to the vertical distance between the first turning shaft31and the ground, and the first distance D1is 0.28 times the length of the second distance D2. As described above, the two ends of the first turning shaft31, penetrating through the frame, are provided with the pair of cranks36having an included angle of 180 degrees. The tail ends of the cranks36are pivotally connected with the third turning shafts33to lean against the two swing wings22and the drive members37fitted on the third turning shafts33, respectively. The third turning shaft33in contact with the right swing wing223is defined as a right third turning shaft331. The other third turning shaft33in contact with the left swing wing224is defined as a left third turning shaft332. The connecting line between the right third turning shaft331and the first turning shaft31and the connecting line of the left third turning shafts332and the first turning shaft31form an inclined angle of 180 degrees. The right swing wing223and the left swing wing224are pivotally connected to the front end of the frame10through the pivot21.

Referring toFIG. 6A, in the normal use, when the right swing wing223reaches the swing stroke that the connecting line between the right third turning shaft331and the first turning shaft31is perpendicular to the right swing wing223, the force exerted to the right swing wing223in contact with the drive member37and the right third turning shaft331cannot generate the torsion. This phenomenon is referred to as an upper dead point. However, at this time, the left swing wing224does not reach the lowest point of the swing stroke of the left swing wing224, and the force exerted to the left swing wing224produces the torsion and directly drives the first turning shaft31to turn, enabling the right swing wing223to disengage from the upper dead point. As described above, when the connecting line between the right third turning shaft331and the first turning shaft31is perpendicular to the right swing wing223, the right swing wing223and the left swing wing224form an upper dead point include angle a. In this embodiment, the upper dead point included angle a is 22.99 degrees.

Referring toFIG. 6B, when the left swing wing224reaches the swing stroke that the connecting line between the left third turning shaft332and the first turning shaft31is perpendicular to the left swing wing224, the force exerted to the left swing wing224in contact with the drive member37and the left third turning shaft332cannot generate the torsion. This phenomenon is referred to as a lower dead point. Thus, at this time, the force exerted to the right swing wing223produces the torsion and directly drives the first turning shaft31to turn, enabling the left swing wing224to disengage from the lower dead point. As described above, when the connecting line between the left third turning shaft332and the first turning shaft31is perpendicular to the left swing wing224, the right swing wing223and the left swing wing224form a lower dead point included angle b. In this embodiment, the lower dead point included angle b is 23.97 degrees. The difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is 0.98 degrees, or the ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is 0.96. The ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is a value obtained by dividing the value of the upper dead point included angle a by the value of the lower dead point included angle b.

In the aforesaid embodiment ofFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B, the first distance D1is 0.28 times the length of the second distance D2. The difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is 0.98 degrees. The ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is 0.96. This is the preferred embodiment.

In an embodiment, when the first distance D1is 0.18 times the length of the second distance D2, the upper dead point included angle a is 36.20 degrees, the lower dead point included angle b is 40.00 degrees, the difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is 3.80 degrees, and the ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is 0.90. In an embodiment, when the first distance D1is 0.47 times the length of the second distance D2, the upper dead point included angle a is 14.35 degrees, the lower dead point included angle b is 14.60 degrees, the difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is 0.25 degrees, and the ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is 0.98. In an embodiment, when the first distance D1is 0.65 times the length of the second distance D2, the upper dead point included angle a is 10.46 degrees, the lower dead point included angle b is 10.51 degrees, the difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is 0.05 degrees, and the ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is 1.00.

In the present invention, the first distance D1is in the range of 0.10-0.65 times the length of the second distance D2. The difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is in the range of 0.05-3.80 degrees or the ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is in the range of 0.85-1.00. Preferably, according to all the aforesaid embodiments, the first distance D1is in the range of 0.18-0.65 times the length of the second distance D2. The difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is in the range of 3.80-0.05 degrees, or the ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is in the range of 0.90-1.00. Alternatively, the first distance D1is in the range of 0.10-0.65 times the length of the second distance D2. The difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is in the range of 0.05-3.80 degrees and the ratio of the upper dead point included angle a to the lower dead point included angle b is in the range of 0.85-1.00.

According to all the aforesaid embodiments, the upper dead point included angle a is in the range of 10.46-36.20 degrees. The lower dead point included angle b is in the range of 10.51-40.00 degrees. The lower dead point included angle b is greater than the upper dead point included angle a.

Because the difference between the lower dead point included angle b and the upper dead point included angle a is greater than zero and the lower dead point included angle b is greater than the upper dead point included angle a, the right swing wing223can be disengaged from the upper dead point by the exerted force of the left swing wing224and the left swing wing224can be disengaged from the lower dead point by the exerted force of the right swing wing223, such that the right swing wing223and the left swing wing224can be treaded repeatedly without being jammed at the upper dead point and the lower dead point. The greater the difference, the easier to disengage the right swing wing223from the upper dead point through the exerted force of the left swing wing224and the easier to disengage the left swing wing224from the lower dead point through the exerted force of the right swing wing223. The direct-drive double wing scooter of the present invention provides a simple and reliable drive way and provides a drive mode different from that of a traditional bike and has transportation, amusement and fitness effect. Particularly, the riding safety is improved because the movement area for the rider's both feet is located at the outside of the drive assembly. Through the step section which is inclined upward at a predetermined angle and disposed at the rear end of each swing wing, the riding comfort is enhanced.