ELECTRIC DRAISINE

Abstract

A draisine includes: a support platform adapted to receive a standing occupant, at least three wheels for rolling on the rails of a railway track, and at least one electric motor for driving at least one of the at least three wheels.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of draisines. More particularly, this application relates to an electric draisine intended to transport only one occupant at a time.

PRIOR ART

In the railway sector, the zones where an agent must perform an intervention are often difficult to access when these intervention zones are located between two stops or stations. The agent can travel by motor vehicle, but the railway tracks may be remote from automobile roads. In addition, the number of accesses between the railway tracks and the automobile roads is generally limited. Indeed, each access requires surveillance to prevent third parties from entering the railway tracks via this access.

For subterranean railways in particular, access by road is generally not possible. In this case, the agent generally must walk from the station closest to the point where the intervention is to occur. In addition to the safety risks associated with such a practice, this results in taking a particularly long time to access the intervention point.

Furthermore, vehicles referred to as draisines are known in the sector, as means of transport on railway tracks. A draisine is a self-propelled vehicle. A draisine intended to travel on a railway track is generally very bulky, if only because of the distance between the two rails of the railway track on which the wheels of the draisine must rest. The draisine is generally also heavy. For these two reasons in particular, a draisine is generally a vehicle that is difficult to transport and therefore to use by a single person.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure improves the situation.

A draisine is proposed, comprising: a support platform adapted to receive a standing occupant, at least three wheels intended to roll on the rails of a railway track, and at least one electric motor for driving at least one of the at least three wheels.

Preferably, the draisine according to the invention comprises one or more of the following features, alone or in combination:

• • the at least one electric motor is integrated into one of the at least three wheels, the draisine preferably comprising at least two wheels provided with an integrated motor, preferably at least four wheels provided with an integrated motor;
  • at least one wheel, preferably each wheel, is connected to the support platform by an arm;
  • at least one arm, preferably each arm, is mounted so as to pivot relative to the support platform, in a manner that enables it to be folded along and/or under the support platform;
  • the draisine comprises a handlebar fixed to the support platform;
  • the handlebar is mounted so as to pivot relative to the support platform in a manner that enables it to be folded along and/or onto the support platform;
  • the handlebar is height-adjustable;
  • the handlebar is rotationally fixed relative to an axis normal to the support platform;
  • the handlebar is arranged at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support platform, the distance between the longitudinal end of the support platform and the handlebar preferably being between one third and one half of the length of the support platform, the distance between the longitudinal end of the support platform and the handlebar preferably being substantially equal to one third of the length of the support platform;
  • the handlebar is arranged at a longitudinal end of the support platform, in particular at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support platform that is less than one third of the length of the support platform, preferably less than one fifth of the length of the support platform, more preferably less than one tenth of the length of the support platform;
  • at least one wheel, preferably each wheel, is associated with at least one guide roller for guiding on a rail, each roller being pivotably fixed relative to an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the associated wheel;
  • the draisine comprises at least one handle, preferably integral with the support platform;
  • the support platform extends primarily in a longitudinal direction, the draisine comprising a handle at or near a first longitudinal end of the support platform, and at least one roller at or near a second longitudinal end of the support platform that is opposite the first longitudinal end;
  • the draisine comprises at least one electric battery for powering the at least one electric motor, the at least one electric battery preferably being fixed to the support platform;
  • the draisine comprises a braking device, in particular at least one among a friction-based mechanical braking device and a magnetic braking device, the draisine preferably comprising at least one first friction-based mechanical braking device and at least one magnetic braking device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features, details and advantages will become apparent from reading the detailed description below, and from analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a first example of a draisine in the deployed position.

FIG. 2 schematically represents a detail view of the draisine of FIG. 1, rolling on a railway track.

FIG. 3 schematically represents the draisine of FIG. 1 in the folded position.

FIG. 4 schematically represents a perspective view of a second example of a draisine, in the folded position.

FIG. 5 schematically represents a top view of a third example of a draisine in the deployed position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the remainder of the description, identical or functionally identical elements of the different examples bear the same reference symbol. These elements are not described in detail within the context of each illustrated example. On the contrary, for brevity in this description, only the differences between the represented examples are mentioned below.

FIG. 1 schematically represents a first example of an electric draisine 10. Here, draisine 10 is autonomous, in that it does not require a power supply external to the draisine. For this purpose, the draisine comprises an electric battery 12.

As illustrated, draisine 10 firstly comprises a support platform 14, intended to receive one or even two standing occupants. Preferably, support platform 14 is sized to allow receiving only one occupant, in the standing position. Thus, in particular, draisine 10 is without any seat or bench enabling an occupant to sit down. Draisine 10 is thus significantly more compact, lighter, and therefore easier to transport.

As illustrated, support platform 14 may be formed by a plate 16, for example made of metal, here associated with two longitudinal tubes 18. Tubes 18 allow reinforcing plate 16. Each tube 18 may be fixed, in particular welded, on plate 16. Plate 16 together with each tube 18 defines through-openings 15. It is thus possible to insert a hand through these openings 15 and use each tube 18 as a handle to carry draisine 10. Alternatively, handles may be fixed on plate 16. In another alternative, plate 16 may by itself define one or more through-openings which may be used as handle(s), in particular when draisine 10 is in the folded configuration as described below.

Here, battery 12 is fixed on plate 16. Advantageously, a housing for receiving battery 12 is fixed on plate 16. The housing may be opened by an upper face to allow easier access to the battery.

Draisine 10 also comprises four wheels 20, referred to as load-bearing wheels as they are intended to support the rest of draisine 10. Here, each wheel 20 is a drive wheel, equipped with an integrated electric motor. Alternatively, only two wheels 20 may be driven, and preferably equipped with an integrated electric motor, in particular the two front wheels 20 or the two rear wheels 20. Drive wheels 20 are advantageously controlled by a system for controlling the associated motors. The system for controlling the motors may be arranged near electric battery 12, in particular in the same housing that receives electric battery 12.

Each wheel 20 is connected to support platform 14 by an associated arm 22. As can be seen in FIG. 1. the axis of rotation of each wheel 20 is parallel to the axis of extension of the associated arm 22, from support platform 14 to wheel 20. Each arm 22 may be mounted on support platform 14 so as to pivot relative to a respective axis A1-A4. Thus, each arm 22 may selectively be:

• • in a folded position, in which arm 22 extends along and/or under support platform 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3; or
  • in a deployed position, in which wheel 20 is substantially in its position furthest from support platform 14, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In the deployed position of arms 22, corresponding to the deployed position of draisine 10, arms 22 may be parallel. In particular, the two front arms of the draisine may be aligned on the one hand, and the two rear arms may be aligned on the other hand.

In the example illustrated, each pivot axis A1-A4 of arms 22 relative to support platform 14 is substantially normal to support platform 14, in particular to plate 16 of support platform 14.

In the illustrated example, each wheel 20 is associated with a guiding device 24 for guiding on a railway track. Here, each guiding device 24 is formed by one, preferably two, rollers 26, oriented perpendicularly to the associated wheel 20. Rollers 26 are thus referred to as guide rollers, as opposed to wheels 20 which are referred to as weight-bearing wheels, since the function of rollers 26 is not to support the rest of draisine 10, but to guide wheels 20 along the rail. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 2, while a wheel 20 is intended to roll on the running surface corresponding to upper face 28 of a rail 30, each associated roller 26 is intended to roll on an inner side face 32 of rail 30. By configuring the position of rollers 26 associated with the two front wheels 20 on the one hand, and associated with the two rear wheels 20 on the other hand, such that the distance between the rollers 26 concerned is substantially equal to the distance between inner side faces 32 of rails 30 of a railway track, draisine 10 is thus properly held in position on the railway track, in particular at switches.

The illustrated draisine 10 further comprises a handlebar 34. Here, handlebar 34 does not have the function of steering draisine 10, but rather serves to help balance the occupant of draisine 10. Handlebar 34 is therefore rotationally fixed relative to an axis B that is perpendicular to support platform 14. Here, handlebar 34 is mounted so as to pivot about an axis C that is parallel to the axis of rotation of wheels 20, between a folded position in which handlebar 34 extends along support platform 14, and a deployed position for use, in which handlebar 34 is substantially perpendicular to support platform 14. A locking device 35, well known to those skilled in the art, allows maintaining handlebar 34 in the deployed position for use, illustrated in FIG. 1.

Here, handlebar 34 is arranged at a longitudinal end of support platform 14, in particular at a distance from a longitudinal end of support platform 14 that is less than a third of the length of support platform 14, preferably less than a fifth of the length of support platform 14, more preferably less than a tenth of the length of support platform 14. In particular, here, handlebar 34 is arranged at a longitudinal end of plate 16 of support platform 14, in particular at a distance from a longitudinal end of plate 16 of support platform 14 that is less than a third of the length of plate 16 of support platform 14, preferably less than a fifth of the length of plate 16 of support platform 14, more preferably less than a tenth of the length of plate 16 of support platform 14. Here, handlebar 34 is arranged such that the main axis of extension B of handlebar 34 intersects the side of plate 16 of support platform 14 which forms the end, here the front end, of support platform 14.

Here, handlebar 34 comprises a first tube 36 and a second tube 38 which is telescopically mounted in first tube 36. This allows the height of handlebar 34 to be adjusted. Handlebar 34 comprises a handrest member 40 with two rectilinear handles 42, fixed to the end of second tube 38.

A control lever may be attached to handrest member 40 to enable controlling the drive wheels, in particular to accelerate draisine 10. Additionally or alternatively, a user may use draisine 10 in substantially the same manner as a conventional electric scooter. Thus, after initially pushing off with a leg to launch draisine 10, drive wheels 20 drive draisine 10 and cause drive wheels 20 to continue their rotation initiated by the user's push.

Draisine 10 may further be provided with a braking device. The braking device may be a friction-based braking device, in particular by means of friction on wheels 20, and/or an energy-recovery braking device. The energy-recovery braking device may advantageously be implemented so as to partially recharge battery 12.

Draisine 10 as described above enables an occupant to travel easily and quickly on a railway track in an autonomous manner. An agent needing to take action on a railway line between two stations or stops may thus easily reach the intervention point, even in the event of a loss of power to the railway track.

However, before and/or after the intervention, the agent may fold arms 22 along and/or under support platform 14. In this folded position of draisine 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3. draisine 10 is particularly compact and may easily be transported by a single person. Thus, in particular, in the folded position of draisine 10:

• • the length L2 of draisine 10 may be greater than 1 m and/or less than 1.50 m; and/or
  • the width I2 of draisine 10 may be less than 50 cm; and/or
  • the height H2 of draisine 10 may be less than 30 cm.

It should be noted here that length L2 of folded draisine 10 is substantially equal

to the length of support platform 14, in this case of plate 16 of support platform 14.

For comparison, in the deployed position of draisine 10, illustrated in FIG. 1:

• • length L1 of draisine 10 may be greater than 1 m and/or less than 1.50 m, length L1 of deployed draisine 10 preferably being substantially equal to length L2 of folded draisine 10; and/or
  • width I1 of draisine 10 may be greater than 1.5 m, in particular substantially equal to 1.67 m; and/or
  • height H1 of draisine 10 may be substantially equal to 1 m, keeping in mind that height H1 of deployed draisine 10 depends essentially on the height adjustment of handlebar 34.

Draisine 10 advantageously has a weight of less than 25 kg, so as to be easily transportable by a single user.

The exemplary draisine 100 illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from the previous example of a draisine 10 essentially in that support platform 14 comprises, here is composed of, a metal plate 16 on which two handles 44 are fixed. Support platform 14 is thus without any tubes 18 extending along respective edges of plate 16.

The exemplary draisine 200 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a tube 18, here a single tube, partially extending along both sides of plate 16 with intervening spaces 15. Tube 18 also extends opposite to and at a distance from a front end of plate 16. Tube 18 thus forms a handle 46, here arranged at the front of support platform 14. Handle 46 may advantageously be used to pull draisine 200 in its folded position, where arms 22 are folded along and/or below support platform 14. In fact, in this case, it is possible to roll draisine 200 on rollers provided for this purpose at the rear end of plate 16, the end opposite the end where handle 46 is formed.

Furthermore, here, the position of handlebar 34 is slightly different from the position of handlebar 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. In fact, here, handlebar 34 is arranged at a distance L3 from one end, here the front end, of plate 16 of support platform 14, this distance being between one third and one half of the total length of plate 16 of support platform 14. Preferably, handlebar 34 is arranged substantially at one third of the length of plate 16 of support platform 14. In fact, it has been found that better stability for the occupant of draisine 200 was thus obtained.

In the case illustrated in FIG. 5, battery 12 powering drive wheels 20 may then be arranged longitudinally between handlebar 34 and the end closest to plate 16 of support platform 14. Battery 12 may in particular be fixed under plate 16 of support platform 14.

This disclosure is not limited to the examples described above as illustrative and non-limiting examples. On the contrary, this disclosure encompasses all variants of the retained technical solutions which are conceivable to the person skilled in the art.

Thus, in the examples described, draisine 10, 100, 200 comprises four wheels 20 which are all drive wheels. Draisine 10, 100, 200 may, however, comprise three wheels, four wheels, or even more than four wheels. In all cases, draisine 10, 100, 200 preferably comprises at least two drive wheels 20. The two drive wheels advantageously have a common geometric axis of rotation.

In the examples illustrated, each wheel 20 is connected to support platform 14 by means of a respective arm 22. It is conceivable, however, the only the wheel or wheels of draisine 10 which are arranged on a same longitudinal side of support platform 14 are connected to support platform 14 by means of an arm 22. In this case, during operation, support platform 14 is arranged closer to one rail 30 of the railway track than to the other, or even is arranged substantially above a rail 30 of the railway track.

In the first two examples illustrated, handles designed for carrying draisine 10, 100 in the folded position are formed or fixed solely on longitudinal sides of support platform 14. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable to have one or more handles at one longitudinal end or at each longitudinal end of support platform 14, as illustrated in draisine 200 of the third illustrated example. It is also conceivable to provide support platform 14 of draisines 10, 100 according to the first and second illustrated examples, with:

• • one or more handles at a longitudinal end of support platform 14; and
  • one or more rollers at the other longitudinal end of support platform 14. Such a configuration makes it possible to move draisine 10, 100 around, when it is not on rails 30 of a railway track, by pulling it along while it rolls on its rollers, substantially in the manner of a suitcase.

In the first examples illustrated, electric battery 12 is fixed on plate 16 of support platform 14. However, generally speaking, it is preferred that electric battery 12 be fixed under plate 16 of support platform 14 in order to lower the draisine's center of gravity. Alternatively, electric battery 12 is fixed on plate 16 of support platform 14 so as to facilitate access thereto.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A draisine comprising: a support platform adapted to receive a standing occupant, at least three wheels intended to roll on rails of a railway track, and at least one electric motor for driving at least one of the at least three wheels.

16. The draisine according to claim 15, wherein the at least one electric motor is integrated into one of the at least three wheels.

17. The draisine according to claim 16, comprising at least two wheels provided with an integrated motor.

18. The draisine according to claim 17 comprising at least four wheels provided with an integrated motor.

19. The draisine according to claim 15, wherein at least one wheel is connected to the support platform by an arm.

20. The draisine according to claim 19, wherein each wheel is connected to the support platform by an arm.

21. The draisine according to claim 19, wherein the arm is mounted so as to pivot relative to the support platform in a manner that enables the arm to be folded along and/or under the support platform.

22. The draisine according to claim 20, wherein the arms are mounted so as to pivot relative to the support platform in a manner that enables the arms to be folded along and/or under the support platform.

23. The draisine according to claim 15, comprising a handlebar fixed to the support platform.

24. The draisine according to claim 23, wherein the handlebar is mounted so as to pivot relative to the support platform in a manner that enables the handlebar to be folded along and/or onto the support platform.

25. The draisine according to claim 23, wherein the handlebar is height-adjustable.

26. The draisine according to one of claim 23, wherein the handlebar is rotationally fixed relative to an axis normal to the support platform.

27. The draisine according to claim 23, wherein the handlebar is arranged at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support platform.

28. The draisine according to claim 27, wherein the distance between the longitudinal end of the support platform and the handlebar is between one third and one half of the length of the support platform.

29. The draisine according to claim 23, wherein the handlebar is arranged at a longitudinal end of the support platform.

30. The draisine according to claim 29, wherein the handlebar is arranged at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support platform that is less than one third of the length of the support platform.

31. The draisine according to claim 15, wherein at least one wheel is associated with at least one guide roller for guiding on a rail, the at least one roller being pivotably fixed relative to an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the associated wheel.

32. The draisine according to claim 15, comprising at least one handle.

33. The draisine according to claim 32, wherein the support platform extends primarily in a longitudinal direction, the draisine comprising a handle at or near a first longitudinal end of the support platform, and at least one roller at or near a second longitudinal end of the support platform that is opposite the first longitudinal end.

34. The draisine according to claim 15, comprising at least one electric battery for powering the at least one electric motor.