Vehicle with improved flexibility

A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a steering rod, a pair of arm units, and a drive unit. The steering rod is coupled rotatably to the vehicle frame. Each of the arm units is coupled pivotably to the vehicle frame. The drive unit is coupled to the arm units, and is operable so as to drive pivoting movement of the arm units relative to the vehicle frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese application no. 095124118, filed on Jul. 3, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a vehicle, more particularly to a vehicle that is both stable and agile.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1illustrates a conventional bicycle that is known for its instability problem. To solve this problem, a tricycle, which is illustrated inFIG. 2, has been proposed. The tricycle, however, lacks the agility of the conventional bicycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that is both stable and agile.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprises a vehicle frame assembly, a wheel unit, and a drive unit. The vehicle frame assembly includes a vehicle frame, a steering rod, and a pair of arm units. The steering rod is coupled rotatably to the vehicle frame. Each of the arm units is coupled pivotably to the vehicle frame. The wheel unit includes a front wheel and a pair of rear wheels. The front wheel is coupled to the steering rod. Each of the rear wheels is coupled pivotably to a respective one of the arm units. The drive unit is mounted on the vehicle frame, is coupled to the arm units, and is operable so as to drive pivoting movement of the arm units relative to the vehicle frame to result in movement of the rear wheels toward and away from each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprises a vehicle frame assembly, a ski unit, and a drive unit. The vehicle frame assembly includes a vehicle frame, a steering rod, and a pair of arm units. The steering rod is coupled rotatably to the vehicle frame. Each of the arm units is coupled pivotably to the vehicle frame. The ski unit includes a front ski and a pair of rear skis. The front ski is coupled to the steering rod. Each of the rear skis is coupled pivotably to a respective one of the arm units. The drive unit is mounted on the vehicle frame, is coupled to the arm units, and is operable so as to drive pivoting movement of the arm units relative to the vehicle frame to result in movement of the rear skis toward and away from each other.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprises a vehicle frame assembly, a pontoon unit, and a drive unit. The vehicle frame assembly includes a vehicle frame, a steering rod, and a pair of arm units. The steering rod is coupled rotatably to the vehicle frame. Each of the arm units is coupled pivotably to the vehicle frame. The pontoon unit includes a front pontoon and a pair of rear pontoons. The front pontoon is coupled to the steering rod. Each of the rear pontoons is coupled pivotably to a respective one of the arm units. The drive unit is mounted on the vehicle frame, is coupled to the arm units, and is operable so as to drive pivoting movement of the arm units relative to the vehicle frame to result in movement of the rear pontoons toward and away from each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 3, the first preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to this invention is shown to include a vehicle frame assembly10, a wheel unit40, and a drive unit70.

The vehicle of this embodiment is suitable for road travel.

The vehicle frame assembly10includes a vehicle frame11, a steering rod13, and a pair of arm units12.

The vehicle frame11has opposite first and second ends111,112.

The steering rod13is coupled rotatably to the first end111of the vehicle frame11.

Each of the arm units12includes first and second arms121,122. The first arm121of each of the arm units12has a first end1211that is coupled pivotably to the vehicle frame11at a position between the first and second ends111,112of the vehicle frame11, and a second end1212that is opposite to the first end1211of the first arm121of the respective one of the arm units12. The second arm122of each of the arm units12has a first end1221that is coupled pivotably to the second end1212of the first arm121of the respective one of the arm units12, and a second end1222that is opposite to the first end1221of the second arm122of the respective one of the arm units12.

The wheel unit40includes a front wheel41, and a pair of rear wheels42,43that are aligned in a first direction. The front wheel41of the wheel unit40is coupled to the steering rod13. Each of the rear wheels42,43of the wheel unit40is coupled to the second end1222of the second arm122of the respective one of the arm units12.

The drive unit70includes a lifting motor71, and a slider73driven by the lifting motor71. The lifting motor71of the drive unit70is mounted on the second end112of the vehicle frame11. The slider73of the drive unit70has a first end portion that is movable in a second direction transverse to the first direction toward and away from the front wheel41, and a second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion thereof. The drive unit70is operable between a first mode, where the second end portion of the slider73is moved in the second direction away from the front wheel41, and a second mode, where the second end portion of the slider73is moved in the second direction toward the front wheel41. Each of a pair of levers72has a first end that is coupled pivotably to the second end portion of the slider73, and a second end that is coupled pivotably to the first arm121of a respective one of the arm units12at a position between the first and second ends1211,1212of the first arm121of the respective one of the arm units12.

From the above description, when the drive unit70is operated in the first mode, each of the levers72is driven by the slider73to push the first arm121of the respective one of the arm units12, which, in turn, results in outward pivoting movement of the first arms121of the arm units12relative to the vehicle frame11to thereby move the second ends1212of the first arms121of the arm units12together with the rear wheels42,43away from each other. In this mode, as best shown inFIG. 4, the rear wheels42,43of the wheel unit40are disposed apart from each other. Furthermore, when the drive unit70is operated in the second mode, each of the levers72is driven by the slider73to pull the first arm121of the respective one of the arm units12, which, in turn, results in inward pivoting movement of the first arms121of the arm units12relative to the vehicle frame11to thereby move the second ends1212of the first arms121of the arm units12together with the rear wheels43toward each other. In this mode, as best shown inFIG. 5, the rear wheels42,43of the wheel unit40are disposed adjacent to each other.

The vehicle further includes an engine unit60for driving rotation of the front and rear wheels41,42,43. In this embodiment, the engine unit60includes a pair of hub motors61, each of which is mounted on the second end1222of the second arm122of a respective one of the arm units12of the vehicle frame assembly10. Since the construction and operation of the hub motors61are known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description of the same will be dispensed with herein for the sake of brevity.

It is noted that the vehicle frame11is formed with a rail groove110therein, and the slider73of the drive unit70is disposed slidably in the rail groove110in the vehicle frame11.

The vehicle further includes a steering handle14that is coupled to the steering rod13, a driver seat15that is mounted on the vehicle frame11at a position between the first and second ends111,112of the vehicle frame11, and a power source80that is mounted on the vehicle frame11at a position between the first and second ends111,112of the vehicle frame11, and that is coupled electrically to the drive unit70and the engine unit60, thereby permitting the power source80to supply power to the drive unit70and the engine unit60.

When starting the vehicle, the vehicle is less stable and the driver can easily lose his/her balance. At this time, the drive unit70may be operated in the first mode to thereby enhance stability of the vehicle for helping the driver to maintain balance. When a faster speed is reached, the vehicle becomes more stable and the driver can easily maintain his/her balance. At this time, the lifting motor71of the drive unit70may be operated in the second mode to thereby enhance agility of the vehicle for helping the driver to have better control of the vehicle. When the vehicle slows down, the vehicle again becomes less stable. At this time, the lifting motor71of the drive unit70may be operated back to the first mode.

FIG. 6illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to this invention. When compared with the previous embodiment, the vehicle is suitable for traveling on snow (not shown). In particular, the vehicle includes a ski unit40′. The ski unit40′ includes a front ski41′ that is coupled securely to the steering rod13, and a pair of rear skis42′,43′, each of which is coupled securely to the second end1222of the second arm122of a respective one of the arm units12. The engine unit60is mounted on the vehicle frame11of the vehicle frame assembly10for propelling the vehicle frame assembly10on snow.

FIG. 7illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to this invention. When compared with the first embodiment, the vehicle is suitable for traveling on water (not shown). In particular, the vehicle includes a pontoon unit40″. The pontoon unit40″ includes a front pontoon41″ that is coupled securely to the steering rod13, and a pair of rear pontoons42″,43″, each of which is coupled securely to the second end1222of the second arm122of a respective one of the arm units12. The engine unit60is mounted on the vehicle frame11of the vehicle frame assembly10for propelling the vehicle frame assembly10on water.