Computerized electrical vehicle

Abstract: An electrical vehicle for road or internal transportation, in which all driving performances are carried out merely by controlling the relative rotation speeds and tilt angle of each driving wheel, through a programmable control system, thus eliminating any mechanical means regularly utilized for this purpose, and enabling this vehicle to be driven by a person, or automatically along guiding elements, or by remote control, or to be programmed for travelling along a predeter­ mined course without any external guiding measures.

Description: This invention relates to an electric vehicle for road or internal transportation, to be driven automatically, or by a person from the inside, or by remote control, including at least one pair of driven wheels, each pivotable about a substantially vertical pivot or two pivots. All driving operations, such as steering, accelerating, slowing down, braking and reversing, are carried out by means of a programmable control apparatus, directly controlling the relative rotation speed and pivot angle of each driven wheel separately, thus eliminating the mechanical means which conventionally effect driving operations in motor cars, except for one rod pivotably interconnecting each pair of pivotable driven wheels, and except for one or more hand, or foot or other control devices, being incorporated when the vehicle is to be driven by a person inside it. The invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with electric vehicles, as for example electric motor cars for transportation of persons and goods on roads, or within areas prevented from use by regular motor cars, or electric vehicles or trolleys within hospitals or within sites or areas which are restricted to other internal transportation, or vehicles for automatic conveying systems in industrial plants, stores or the like. Automated guided vehicles have been known for a long time, but regularly including steering mechanisms operated by servo motors, and due to their structure are not suitable for road transportation like regular motor cars. It is the object of the present invention to provide a new and simple electric vehicle, for road or other transportation, which is suitable for operation by automatic or remote control, low in cost and in energy consumption, simple to maintain and safe to passengers, and consisting of a relatively small number of parts. FR-A-2592342 discloses an electric vehicle comprising a chassis, an electronic control apparatus and four driven wheel units. Each of the wheel units includes an integral motor which is under the command of the control apparatus. US-A-4363999 discloses an electrical vehicle similar to that of FR-A-2592342, but in which the drive motors are remote from the wheel units. This allows the vehicles to employ a conventional, "Ackerman"-type steering mechanism, such as is used in motor cars. The steering apparatus includes a steering tie rod and a rotatable steering column which protrudes into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This is therefore a comparatively complex mechanism which reduces the safety of the passenger compartment. Furthermore, it cannot readily be incorporated in vehicles having wheel units which include integral motors because of the complexity of the mechanism which would be required. According to the invention there is provided an electric vehicle for road or internal transportation, the vehicle comprising a chassis; a programmable control apparatus; at least one pair of driven wheels secured to said chassis for rotation about a horizontally extending axis; at least one fair of wheels tiltable about a vertically extending axis; and a horizontally extending rod pivotably interconnecting the tiltable wheels at respective points offset from the vertically extending axes by respective arms secured to the wheels, the vehicle being characterised in that all driving performances are carried out merely by controlling the relative rotational velocities of the wheels about their respective horizontally extending axes by means of the control apparatus thereby to effect tilting of said interconnected wheels about their respective vertically extending axes to steer the vehicle in response to frictional farces arising between the surface on which the vehicle is moving and the respective, interconnected wheels, wherein the rod functions to ensure the correct relative tilt angles of the interconnected wheels as required for negotiating various track curvatures, and also to transfer driving torque from the interconnected wheels to the chassis. In other words, in one of its broadest aspects, the new electric vehicle comprises a chassis, and at least one pair of wheels, pivotable about a substantially vertical pivot, being offset from the vertical centre of the wheel (as is common in the front wheels of conventional motor cars). An advantage of the vehicle of the invention is that it allows a vehicle such as that disclosed in FR-A-2592342 to be steered without the need for a complicated mechanism. To each pair of tiltable wheels are preferably fixed two short arms. The arms are interconnected pivotedly by a connecting rod. The short arms together with the correcting rod define substantially a trapezoid, so as to assist in maintaining the correct pivot angles of the pivotable driven wheels, for each possible curvature to be followed by the vehicle, said connecting rod also serving for transferring the driving torque from the pivotable driven wheels to the chassis. Each driven wheel incorporates a built-in electric motor, and the vehicle includes at least one pair (but possibly more) of driven wheels, and each wheel optionally incorporates a braking unit, such as an electromagnetic brake of known type, or any other kind. The electric vehicle also comprises an electrical battery, a computerized or any other programmable control system, a power supply, sensing or measuring elements, a wiring system which may be a regular one or of a rigid type, or built into the vehicle parts (e.g. the battery body, control system, chassis or seats), one or more driving control units in the form of a joy stick or a handle or a wheel, or a pedal, or of any other kind. The vehicle may also comprise a body, bumpers and other typical motor car accessories. The structure and location of the wheels in this vehicle enable it to be driven on external roads, like any conventional motor car, whereas the known types of "automated guided vehicles" are usually intended for internal transportation only, or to well prepared sites. The steering of the vehicle is performed by changing the relative rotational speeds of the driven wheels thus altering their pivot angles by utilizing the friction between the wheels and the ground. The changes of these speeds are programmed for obtaining pivot angles of the wheels, as required for each track curvature. Rapid reductions of the wheel speeds, if required for the steering, may also be helped by automatic controlled braking operations. The regulating of the relative wheel speeds, the accelerating, the slowing down and the reversing operations, are all performed by means of speed regulating units, controlled by said control system. The braking operation is also controlled by the control system, for synchronization with the slowing down, and for optimal braking characteristics. Any mechanical means which usually serve for all these driving performances in a conventional car can thus be eliminated except for said connecting rods and one or more hand or foot driving control units. The driving of the vehicle can be made automatic, by remote control or by means of guiding elements, which may be followed with the help of a sensing unit mounted into the vehicle, the position of this unit in relation to the guiding element being continuously fed back to the programmable control system for course rectification. Automatic driving can also be programmed along a predetermined course, without any external guiding measures. The vehicle can be driven from the inside by a person, as in conventional cars, by means of one or more driving control units, to be operated by hand or by foot, or in any other way. In a practical embodiment of the invention, the electric vehicle comprises a chassis, and four driven wheels, each incorporating a built-in electric motor, the stator of which is mounted into a housing, which incorporates at its center a shaft. On this shaft is rotatably mounted, by means of two tapered bearings, a hub, on the outer diameter of which is mounted a permanent magnet rotor of said electric motor. Inside said housing is fixedly mounted the stationary part of an electromagnetic brake unit, forming the magnetic element. Facing said stationary part, the rotatable ring of the brake unit, (i.e. the "armature"), is concentrically mounted on a spline seating of said hub. The armature is free to slide along said spline, to contact the magnetic element when actuated. At the opposite side of said hub is mounted by means of screws the rim on which the tyre is mounted. Said motor housing incorporates the protrusions, into which are fixedly mounted two pivots of a common axis, intended for the wheel to swivel about. The lower pivot incorporates at its upper end a square portion, for a short arm to be fixed thereon. At the other end of each short arm is fixedly mounted a pin, protruding upwards. A connecting rod, incorporating two bores with bushings at both ends, is pivotedly mounted on the upwardly protruding pins of the opposite arms, at a configuration as required for ensuring the correct relative pivot angles of the wheels. In the assembled vehicle, all four wheels are mounted on the chassis, having the pins of each wheel inserted into a pair of bushings, attached to the chassis in line on top of each other, two pairs on each side. Close to those bushings are incorporated openings in the chassis frame for said arms to pass through. The electrical battery is located on the chassis so as to have the full load of the vehicle distributed evenly upon the four wheels. The housing of the whole control system is attached to the rear side of the battery, and two seats are located above both. The electrical wiring is of the rigid type, built partially into the chassis frame, and partially into the battery housing and seats, all these items being interconnected by socket connections, for forming the whole electrical and electronic circuits of the power and control systems. The contacts with the electrical motors and with the electromagnetic brake units lead through said four pairs of bushings attached to the chassis, and through said pivots of the wheels, forming rotative electrical contacts. A rigid cover for the battery and control system housing is fitted into the chassis, incorporating suitable holes, for the socket connection between the seats and the control system to pass through. Each seat incorporates a driving control unit,being operated by a joystick which is inserted into said unit. This driving stick can be transferred from one seat to the other, for any of the passengers to drive the vehicle, without changing seats. Alternatively, a driving control unit can be located between the seats. The vehicle body forms one solid envelope, preferably transparent all around, but at least at its front portion, and is fitted into the chassis and into both bumpers, thus assisting in transferring part of any impact energy to the opposite bumper, and also to absorb part of that energy, due to its elasticity. The body also incorporates clearances for the wheels to be swiveled according to the steering requirements, and wide openings on each side, for the approach of persons into and out of the vehicle. Doors can be mounted in the body, for closing these openings if desired. Bumpers can also be attached to the chassis from all sides. These bumpers may be, at least partially, of transparent material, incorporating lighting fixtures, which would thus be protected against breakage. All the vehicle parts so far mentioned can be safely interconnected by snap-connection or by inserting into each other,so as to eliminate the need for any of the known joints like screws, nuts or clips, and for the tools required for these joints, except for the wheel units which, for this purpose are regarded as not dismantlable, but exchangeable only. The driving operation is controlled by the driver, by means of said joy stick, performing the steering operation by corresponding motions to the right and to the left,the accelerating by motions from the center forwards, and the reversing by motions from the center rearwards. With the stick at the center, the motor will stop, and the electromagnetic brake will be actuated, according to the braking programme. For automatic driving along a guiding element, a sensing unit is mounted underneath the chassis, to follow said element by feeding back to the control system the deviation data, for course rectification. As mentioned before, this vehicle can also be driven by remote control or be programmed for automatic travelling along a predetermined course, thus eliminating any external guiding measures. The automatic guiding feature in this vehicle enables it also to be automatically guided within a battery charging terminal, which includes a series of automatic continuous charging lanes, each one for a predetermined charging level, the vehicle being automatically directed to the suitable lane according to the discharge level of its battery, reaching fully charged to the other end of the terminal, ready to be driven again. These and further features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof which has references to the annexed drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevational section of the vehicle of the invention, Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle; Figure 3 is an underneath view of the vehicle; Figure 4 is a general view of an automatic charging terminal, with a roof of solar cells. As can be seen in Figure 1,an electrical vehicle in accordance with the present invention, comprises basically, a chassis 1; four driven wheel units 2; two batteries 3; a complete programmable control system accommodated in a housing 4; the two batteries and the control system housing being located in a recess formed at the center of chassis 1 and covered by cover 5 which is fitted into chassis 1. One top of cover 5, are positioned two foldable seats 6, between which is located a built-in driving control unit (not seen), into which is inserted a joy stick 7. Front and rear bumpers 8 are fastened onto the front and rear ends of chassis 1, by slots at the bottom of the bumpers being forced onto upright folds 9, at the ends of chassis 1. Vehicle body 10 is fitted on both sides to chassis 1, and at its front and rear ends into sloped recess 11, incorporated in bumpers 8, thus transferring a hit energy to both bumpers simultaneously. It can be seen in Figure 1, that in this configuration, a relatively large space is maintained for luggage behind the seats. The passengers' compartment, on the other hand, is completely free of any accessories or protrusions, as handles, levers, steering wheel, gauges,etc., thus avoiding any danger or injury by them. Nor can the passenger's head be frontally hit, due to the gradual sloping down of the vehicle body 10. In other words, this vehicle is far safer for the passengers, as compared to conventional cars because of its structure and configuration. The number of dismantable parts this vehicle consists of , as can be seen is relatively small, its erecting and dismantling is easy and quick, and joints or tools for these purposes are completely eliminated, regarding the wheel unit exchangeable as a whole. Turning to Figure 2,each wheel unit, as can be seen it incorporates a built-in electric motor, the stator unit 16 being mounted into a motor housing 12, incorporating at its center a shaft 13, on which is rotatably mounted the wheel hub 14, by means of two tapered roller bearings 15 incorporated at both ends of hub 14. The rotor 17 consisting of a permanent magnet, is mounted on the outer diameter of hub 14, being located opposite stator unit 16. As can be seen, an electromagnetic brake unit is accommodated inside motor housing 12, to which the magnet element 18, forming the stationary part of the braking unit, is fixedly attached, the rotatable ring 19 of said braking unit,being mounted at the end of hub 14, in a spline seating 20, free to slide towards the magnet element 18 when actuated. At the outer side of hub 14 is mounted the rim 21, by means of studbolts 22 and nuts 23, tyre 24 being mounted on the outer periphery of rim 21. The stator unit 16 is varnish insulated against penetration of water, and so is magnet element 18 of the braking unit. A gasket 25, fixed to the outer periphery of motor housing 12, is slidewise fitted to the internal periphery of rim 21 so as to prevent the penetration of foreign bodies, dirt and water splashes into the wheel unit. At the bottom of motor housing 12, between the stator unit 16 and gasket 25, a hole 12a can be provided for the release of occasionally trapped liquids. As can be seen, two protrusions 26 and 27 form one part with the motor housing 12 and incorporate fixedly one pivot each, by means of a square bottom portion 30. Pivot 29 incorporates a square upper portion 31, for arm 32 to be mounted fixedly thereto, both pivots 28 and 29 inserted into bushings 1a and 1b. Arm 32 incorporates at its other end, a pin 33 which protrudes upwardly. On each pair of opposite arms 32, is pivotally mounted a connecting rod 34 incorporating two bores with bushings 35 at both ends. Turning to Figure 3, each connecting rod 34, combined with two arms 32 as can be seen, form a geometric formation so as to maintain relative tilt angles of each pair of wheels,as required for the steering performance at the whole possible range of turning radii It can also be seen that arms 32 are "L" shaped to enable their penetration into the chassis side-walls through the smallest possible openings. It can be realized, that by having both pairs of wheels in the vehicle tiltable, smaller tilt angles of each wheel are required for the same turning radii, as compared to conventional cars, in which only the front wheels are tilted for steering. In Figure 4, a battery charging terminal 41 is illustrated, including a series of automatic continuous charging lanes 42, arranged in parallel. intended each for a different charging level, the vehicle being automatically directed to the suitable lane, in accordance with the discharge level of its battery.

Claims: An electric vehicle for road or internal transportation, the vehicle comprising a chassis (1); a programmable control apparatus; at least one pair (2) of driven wheels secured to said chassis (1) for rotation about a horizontally extending axis; at least one pair of wheels tiltable about a vertically extending axis; and a horizontally extending rod (34) pivotably interconnecting the tiltable wheels at respective points offset from the vertically extending axes by respective arms (32) secured to the wheels, the vehicle being characterised in that all driving performances are carried out merely by controlling the relative rotational velocities of the interconnected wheels about their respective horizontally extending axes by means of the control apparatus thereby to effect tilting of said interconnected wheels about their respective vertically extending axes to steer the vehicle in response to frictional forces arising between the surface on which the vehicle is moving and the respective; interconnected wheels, wherein the rod (34) functions to ensure the correct relative tilt angles of the interconnected wheels as required for negotiating various track curvatures, and also to transfer driving torque from the interconnected wheels to the chassis. An electric vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein each of the driven wheels (2) incorporates a built-in electric motor (16, 17) and an electromagnetic brake unit (18, 19), said electric motor and said electromagnetic brake unit being protected against penetration of liquids, each of said driven wheels being separately controllable by means of the control apparatus for varying their respective speeds and directions and their respective braking characteristics, such that steering of the vehicle is effected by utilizing frictional forces between said driven wheels and the surface on which the vehicle is moving, the arrangement being such as to permit rapid reductions of the wheel speeds, if required for steering or braking, assisted if desirable by automatic, controlled braking operations. An electric vehicle according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, adapted to be driven and guided automatically within a charging terminal (41) for batteries (along guiding elements or by being programmed for travelling along a predetermined course), said terminal including a series of automatic continuous charging lanes (42), each one for a predetermined charging level, said vehicle being automatically directed to the suitable lane, according to the discharge level of its batteries, and charged while guided along said charging lane, thus becoming fully charged and ready for operation by the time it reaches the other end of the terminal. An electric vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the structural parts thereof are interconnectable by snap connection or by insertion one into another and the electrical parts thereof are interconnectable by means of socket connections, thereby eliminating the need for fastenings and avoiding untidy wiring. An electric vehicle according to any preceding claim comprising a chassis, four pivotable, independent, driven wheel units, two interconnecting rods, batteries, a programmable control apparatus, a cover, seats, one or more driving control units optionally in the form of a joy stick, a body, bumpers and a sensing or measuring element for automatic guidance of the vehicle.

Inventors: DAVIDOVITCH JECHESKEL, DAVIDOVITCH, JECHESKEL
Applicants: DAVIDOVITCH J, DAVIDOVITCH, JECHESKEL
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B60L11
IPC codes: H02P5, B62D9, G05D1, B60L11, B60L15, B62D1