1. Field of the Invention
The field of this invention is electric vehicles, and more particularly, all-wheel drive electric vehicles.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Electric vehicles are well known. However, one problem with known electric vehicles is that they typically can be driven only on a road. Although roads are the main way in which vehicles traverse land, and they have obvious advantages, roads also have disadvantages if the main vehicles that would be using them for travel are electric vehicles such as electric cars. One such disadvantage is that the electric vehicles have to be charged on the road constantly. That requires constant stopping which uses up time and the construction of electric stations for charging. Electric tracks have been proposed but a network of electric tracks has not been laid and even if such a network is laid it is unlikely that it would replace all existing roads in the foreseeable future. Thus there is a need for an electric vehicle that can be used for driving both on ordinary roads and highways and also on a network of electric tracks. This way if a portion of the transportation network remained roads and highways while a portion of the transportation network were converted into electric tracks, there would be a vehicle that can negotiate both portions of the transportation network.
In addition, known electric vehicles are not constructed in a manner that would allow them to be used on electric tracks.
Another problem with electric vehicles is the cooling system. It is based on anti-freeze or a similar coolant. Anti-freeze is an acceptable coolant but there may be occasions where other materials are available and anti-freeze type coolants are not available. Thus is a need for motor cooling systems that utilize alternative coolants.
Still another problem with known electric vehicles is that they typically produce only a moderate amount of volts. This limits the acceleration capacity of the vehicles. It is well known that electric vehicles are not as capable of acceleration as gas-propelled vehicles and are poorer performers with regard to passing and hill climbing. Thus there is a need for maximizing the acceleration capability of electric vehicles.
The present invention solves these problems and provides other benefits as well.
A four wheel drive electric vehicle that runs on a road and on an electrified track comprises an electric drive motor, a battery pack, a foot powered accelerator connected to the electric drive motor that controls an amount of electricity that travels to the electric drive motor, an alternator, an auxiliary generator capable, once the electric vehicle reaches approximately twenty m.p.h., of charging the battery when the battery pack is off or, when the battery pack is on, of transmitting electricity to the motor for extra power, an electrical system for conveying electrical energy from the battery pack to the electric drive motor and for conveying electrical energy from the auxiliary generator to either the electric drive motor or the battery pack, the electrical system including a voltage regulator for regulating the voltage coming out of the auxiliary generator, a pair of motorized legs with balled feet, each of the motorized legs capable of being lowered so as to make contact with the electrified track that supplies electric power to drive the electric drive motor when the battery pack is off and a cooling system for cooling the motor including a cooling tank that contains oil that is circulated through oil piping. A separate portable charger for charging the batteries at home or when the vehicle is not in use is included. The vehicle also includes the usual essential elements such as a chassis including a driving wheel, two front wheels on opposite ends of a front axle, a front differential positioned on the front axle and a front drive shaft connected to the differential, two rear wheels on opposite ends of a rear axle, a rear differential positioned on the rear axle and a rear drive shaft connected to the differential, a transfer case for transmitting rotary motion to the front and rear drive shafts and a transmission connected to the electric drive motor
The following important objects and advantages of the present invention are:
The apparatus of the present invention will now be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings. The electric vehicle of the present invention has been assigned reference numeral 100 Other elements have been assigned the reference numerals referred to below.
It is noted that the terms “electric motor” and “electric drive motor” is used herein to denote the vehicle's motor that causes the vehicle to move. Any other reference to a “motor” is to one or more motors that are designed merely to operate particular limited parts within the vehicle such as the motor for the fan, i.e. the fan motor, or the motors associated with the legs, i.e. the leg motors, as described in further detail below.
As seen from
The vehicle 100 includes an electric drive motor 33, a battery pack 48 with a battery switch 25 for turning the battery pack 48 on or off and a transmission connected to the electric drive motor. The vehicle 100 also includes a foot powered accelerator 80 connected to the electric drive motor that controls an amount of electricity that travels to the electric drive motor. Vehicle 100 also includes an alternator 9 for generating electric power to operate accessories in the electric vehicle, and an auxiliary generator 35. The auxiliary generator 35 is capable, once the electric vehicle attains a speed of approximately 20 m.p.h., of charging the battery pack when the battery pack has been turned off and of assisting the battery pack when the battery pack is turned on, by transmitting electricity to the electric drive motor for extra power, such as when climbing hills or passing vehicles
Vehicle 100 includes an electrical system for conveying electrical energy from the battery pack to the electric drive motor and for conveying electrical energy from the auxiliary generator 35 to the electric drive motor and the battery pack, the electrical system including a voltage regulator for regulating the voltage output of the auxiliary generator 35. Electricity flows from the auto battery to the starter switch and then to the accessory terminal and through the indicator light to the regulator. From there electricity flows to the alternator 9 and from the alternator 9 it flows to the auto battery to charge it. Electricity also flows from the regulator through diode to the auto battery. Accordingly, a double charging occurs from this process. In addition, when starter switch is turned on electricity flows from the accessory terminal to the battery pack switch 25 and then to the auxiliary switch 36 and finally to the voltage regulator 21 which controls the flow of electric power coming out of the auxiliary generator 35.
The above describes events when the motorized legs are in an up position and not in contact with electric track. Following this assumption further, when the battery switch is on it activates battery relay and permits electricity to flow from the battery pack 48 through circuit breaker, shunt and electric drive motor 33 and through the foot controlled accelerator 80. When the battery relay is turned off and the output from battery pack 48 is stopped, auxiliary generator 35 can then charge battery pack 48 provided voltage regulator is placed in an on position. Thus, auxiliary generator 35 drives electric motor 33 and aids battery pack 48 with back-up power for passing, climbing hills etc.
It is noted, however, that neither the alternator 9 nor the auxiliary generator 35 will send electricity to the vehicle's electrical system until the vehicle has attained a speed of approximately 20 miles per hour. This is only a crude approximation and the required speed may be somewhat higher or somewhat lower.
An important part of the present invention is that vehicle 100, as described in further detail below regarding
Another feature of the present invention is its cooling system for cooling the electric drive motor, which is depicted in
Vehicle 100 also includes a portable charger for charging the batteries when the vehicle is not in use.
In a preferred embodiment, the battery pack consists of 10 batteries of which is a 12 volt battery. Preferably although not necessarily, the battery pack 48 utilizes smaller sized batteries such as the batteries used in motorcycles. The battery pack 48 can be turned on and off in the preferred embodiment by simply manually pushing a button which allows current to flow to the motor 33. The present invention does, however, contemplate other well known means for turning the battery pack on and off.
Preferably, auxiliary generator 35 produces 120 volts but in any event the auxiliary generator 35 must produce a voltage equal to the voltage provided by battery pack 48. This is because while the motor 33 can receive voltage from two different sources, the battery pack and the auxiliary generator 35, those source must be providing the same voltage. Thus, auxiliary generator 35 can assist battery pack 48 by providing extra power when battery pack 48 is turned on and when voltage regulator 21 is turned on. By manually turning on the voltage regulator 21 you are turning on the auxiliary generator to control the power coming out of the auxiliary generator. Voltage regulator 21 gets power from a single battery like the 12 volt battery one found in any car.
Although the voltage of the auxiliary generator is the same as that of the battery pack 48, the amps are different, preferably. For example, aux gen may be producing 100 amps, or auxiliary generator 33 may even be producing 185 amps like the electric drive motor which also has 185 amps, whereas the battery pack may be producing 25 amps.
In the rear wheel drive version depicted in
In all embodiments, vehicle 100 of the present invention is also useful for traveling through tunnels.
It is to be understood that while the apparatus of this invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the above-described embodiments are simply illustrative of the principles of the invention. It is to be understood also that various other modifications and changes may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. The spirit and scope of this invention are limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.