DRIVE MODULE FOR A SMALL OR MINI VEHICLE, AND SMALL OR MINI VEHICLE HAVING THE DRIVE MODULE

Abstract

A drive module (1) for a small or mini vehicle (20), having a wheel axle (8), at least one wheel (2, 3), at least one motor device (4, 5) for producing and applying a drive torque to the at least one wheel (2, 3), and at least one braking device (6, 7) for braking the at least one wheel (2, 3). The drive module (1) further includes an evaluation and control device (12) for evaluating safety-relevant data (30) of the small or mini vehicle (20) and for controlling the drive module (1) on the basis of the evaluated safety-relevant data (30) and/or can be and/or is connected to the evaluation and control device.

Claims

1. A drive module for a small or mini vehicle, the drive module comprising: a wheel axle; at least one wheel; at least one motor for producing and applying a drive torque to the at least one wheel; and at least one braking device for braking the at least one wheel; and an evaluation and control device configured to evaluate safety-relevant data of the small or mini vehicle and for controlling the drive module based on the evaluated safety-relevant data.

2. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel comprises a first wheel and a second wheel, the at least one motor comprises a first motor and a second motor, and the at least one braking device comprises a first braking device and a second braking device, and the wheel axle carries the first and second wheels, the first and second motors, and the first and second braking devices.

3. The drive module according to claim 1, further comprising at least one activation device configured to activate the at least one braking device, wherein the evaluation and control device controls the at least one activation device to activate the at least one braking device for braking the at least one wheel.

4. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation and control device is configured to at least one of activate or control the at least one motor to increase or decrease the drive torque.

5. The drive module according to claim 4, wherein the evaluation and control device is configured to control a switch-off of the at least one motor when the braking device is activated.

6. A small or mini vehicle comprising the drive module according to claim 1.

7. The small or mini vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect a weight of at least one of a person or load of the small or mini vehicle as the safety-relevant data.

8. The small or mini vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a position-determining device configured to determine a position of the small or mini vehicle as the safety-relevant data.

9. The small or mini vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a person identification device configured to identify an identity at least one driver of the small or mini vehicle as the safety-relevant data.

10. The small or mini vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising an output device configured to output at least one of visual or acoustic information or a warning signal.

11. The small on mini vehicle according to claim 6, wherein at least one sensor is connected to the small or mini vehicle and is configured to send data to the evaluation and control device.

12. The small on mini vehicle according to claim 6, wherein a position-determining device that is configured to determine a position is connected to the small or mini vehicle and is configured to send data to the evaluation and control device.

13. The small on mini vehicle according to claim 6, wherein a person identification device configured to identify an identity of at least one driver of the small or mini vehicle and is configured to send data to the evaluation and control device.

14. A drive module for a vehicle, the drive module comprising: a wheel axle; a wheel connected to the wheel axle; a motor for producing and applying a drive torque to the wheel; a braking device for braking the wheel; a sensor configured to detect safety-relevant data; and an evaluation and control device that receives the safety-relevant data detected by the sensor and is configured to evaluate the safety-relevant data and for controlling the drive module based on the evaluated safety-relevant data.

15. The drive module as claimed in claim 14, wherein there are two of the wheels connected to the wheel axle and two of the motors, with each of the motors applying the drive torque to a respective one of the wheels, and two of the braking devices, with each of the braking devices being configured to brake a respective one of the wheels.

16. The drive module as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an activation device configured to activate the braking device, wherein the evaluation and control device controls the activation device to activate the braking device for braking the wheel.

17. The drive module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the evaluation and control device is configured to at least one of activate or control the motor to increase or decrease the drive torque.

18. The drive module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the evaluation and control device is configured to control a switching-off of the motor when the braking device is activated.

19. A vehicle comprising the drive module of claim 14, wherein the sensor is configured to detect at least one of a weight on the vehicle, a position of the vehicle, or an identity of a vehicle user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further features, advantages and effects of the disclosure are set out in the following description of the preferred embodiments. In the figures:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of a small or mini vehicle having a drive module; and

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the drive module from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Parts that correspond to each other or are identical are marked with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a small or mini vehicle 20 in a perspective side view. The small or mini vehicle 20 is designed as a three-track electric scooter, in particular as an e-scooter. The small or mini vehicle 20 has a frame 21 having a step and standing surface 22 and a handlebar 23. A hand lever 24 is arranged on the handlebar 23 for manual braking of the small or mini vehicle 20 by a driver 25. The small or mini vehicle 20 comprises a front wheel 26 steerable by the handlebar 23 and a drive module 1 forming a rear wheel axle of the small or mini vehicle 20.

[0035] The small or mini vehicle 20 comprises at least one sensor device 27 and/or can be and/or is connected to the at least one sensor device 27. The at least one sensor device 27 is designed to detect a weight of a person and/or load as safety-relevant data 30 of the small or mini vehicle 20. The at least one sensor device 27 is designed as at least one pressure and/or weight sensor. According to FIG. 1, the at least one sensor device 27 is integrated into the step and standing surface 22, but it can alternatively also be arranged at a counter-interface of the small or mini vehicle 20 in which the drive module 1 is fastened to the frame 21.

[0036] The small or mini vehicle 20 further comprises and/or can be and/or is connected to a position-determining device 28. The position-determining device 28 is designed to determine a position of the small or mini vehicle 20 as the safety-relevant data 30. The position-determining device 28 is integrated into an electronic mobile device 32, for example a smartphone, as shown in FIG. 1. It can alternatively be designed as a GPS or navigation device.

[0037] The small or mini vehicle 20 also comprises and/or can be and/or is connected to a personal identification device 29. The personal identification device 29 is designed to identify the person of the driver 25 by means of a code or by means of his name, date of birth, place of residence, etc. and/or by means of biometric data, such as a fingerprint, facial and/or eye scan, etc. as the safety-relevant data 30. The personal identification device 29 is integrated into the mobile device 32. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the personal identification device 29 may also be designed as an input and/or output device, for example a touch screen.

[0038] The small or mini vehicle 20 also has an output device 31 which is designed to output a visual and/or acoustic information and/or warning signal. According to FIG. 1, the electrical device 32 is used as the output device 31. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, however, a screen, display or touch screen can also be provided as the output device 31.

[0039] The small or mini vehicle 20 comprises a coupling interface 33 for coupling the mobile device 32, in particular the smartphone. For example, the coupling interface 33 is arranged on the handlebar 23 so that it is easily visible and accessible to the driver. The mobile device 32 can thus be securely coupled to the small or mini vehicle, carried along and used while driving. A battery of the mobile device 32 can be charged while driving using the coupling interface 33.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the drive module 1 in a perspective top view from the front. It comprises at least one wheel, in particular a first wheel 2 and a second wheel 3. The drive module 1 has at least one motor device designed as an electric motor for producing and applying a drive torque to the at least one wheel, in particular a first motor device 4 and a second motor device 5. The drive module 1 further comprises at least one braking device for braking the at least one wheel, in particular a first braking device 6 and a second braking device 7 and a wheel axle 8, which is designed as a rear wheel transverse axle.

[0041] The first wheel 2 together with the first motor device 4 and with the first braking device 6 form a first compact unit 9. The first compact unit 9 is arranged at one end of the wheel axle 8 and/or is supported by it. To form the first compact unit 9, the first motor device 4 is integrated into the first wheel 2 as a wheel hub motor. The first braking device 6 is arranged to be directly axially adjacent to the first wheel 2. The second wheel 3 forms a second compact unit 10 together with the second motor device 5 and the second braking device 7. The second compact unit 10 is arranged at another end of the wheel axle 8 and/or is supported by it. To form the second compact unit 10, the second motor device 5 is integrated into the second wheel 3 as a wheel hub motor. The second braking device 7 is arranged to be directly axially adjacent to the second wheel 2. The two units 9, 10 are space-saving and particularly robust and resistant to external damage, for example against vandalism.

[0042] The wheel axle 8 has a mechanical interface 11 by means of which it can be and/or is fastened to the frame 21 of the small or mini vehicle 20 in the counter-interface. The mechanical interface 11 is arranged centrally between the two units 9, 10.

[0043] The drive module 1 comprises at least one activation device, in particular a first activation device 13 for activating the first braking device 6 and a second activation device 14 for activating the second braking device 7. For this purpose, the activation devices 14 are mechanically or hydraulically in operative connection with the braking devices 4, 5.

[0044] The drive module 1 further comprises an evaluation and control device 12 for evaluating the safety-relevant data 30 of the small or mini vehicle 20 and for controlling the drive module 1 on the basis of the evaluated safety-relevant data 29. The evaluation and control device 12 can be and/or is connected to the at least one sensor device 27 and to the position-determining device 28, to the person identification device 29 and/or to the output device 31, in particular to the electrical device 32, wirelessly or by cable.

[0045] If the drive module 1 as shown in Figure one is integrated into the small or mini vehicle 20 and forms the rear wheel axle there, the at least one sensor device 27, the position-determining device 28, the person identification device 29 and the output device 31 transmit the safety-relevant data 30 recorded by them to the evaluation and control device 12. The evaluation and control device 12 evaluates the safety-relevant data 30 received and controls the drive module 1 on the basis of the evaluated safety-relevant data 30.

[0046] The evaluation and control device 12 controls, in particular, the first and second motor devices 4, 5. In particular, the control and evaluation device 12 can activate or deactivate the first and second motor devices 4, 5 and/or control them to produce the drive torque determined according to the evaluated safety-relevant data 30. The motor devices 4, 5 are activated, for example, when the driver 25 has successfully identified himself and, as a result, permission to use the small or mini vehicle 20 has been evaluated. In particular, the motor devices 4, 5 remain deactivated if the driver 25 cannot prove that he is authorized to use the small or mini vehicle 20. Deactivation of the motor devices 4, 5 can also occur if it is evaluated that the weight of a person and/or load exceeds a permissible total weight for the small or mini vehicle 20. The motor devices 4, 5 can also be switched off when the braking devices 6, 7 are activated. This implements a so-called automatic switch-off in the small or mini vehicle 20.

[0047] The evaluation and control device 12 alternatively or optionally in addition controls the first and second activation devices 13, 14 to activate the first and second braking devices 6, 7. The control of the production of the determined drive torque and/or the control of the first and second activation devices 13, 14 is carried out, for example, when a maximum speed is specified at which the small or mini vehicle 20 is to travel. This can be implemented, for example, depending on an age limit if the identified driver 25 falls below same. However, compliance with a maximum speed and the corresponding activation of the motor devices 4, 5 and the activation device 13, 14 can also take place when the small or mini vehicle 20 drives on roads or through areas or zones where a speed limit is specified. In summary, an acceleration or deceleration of the driving speed of the small or mini vehicle 20 can take place depending on the evaluated safety-relevant data 30.

[0048] It is also possible for the evaluation and control device 12 to trigger an increased drive torque by the motor devices 4, 5 and/or control the activation devices 13, 14 to activate the braking devices 6, 7 if the evaluated weight of a person and/or load exceeds a threshold value or range stored in the evaluation and control device 12.

[0049] The evaluation and control device 12 can also control the output of the at least one information or warning signal on the output device 31. For example, the driver 25 can thereby be informed about the evaluated safety-relevant data 30 and/or the resulting control measures. For example, the driver can also be advised that a speed limit applies on the road, in the zone or area on/in which they are traveling in the small or mini vehicle 20.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0050] 1 Drive module [0051] 2 First wheel [0052] 3 Second wheel [0053] 4 First motor device [0054] 5 Second motor device [0055] 6 First braking device [0056] 7 Second braking device [0057] 8 Wheel axle [0058] 9 First compact unit [0059] 10 Second compact unit [0060] 11 Mechanical interface [0061] 12 Evaluation and control device [0062] 13 First activation device [0063] 14 Second activation device [0064] 20 Small or mini vehicle [0065] 21 Frame [0066] 22 Step and standing surface [0067] 23 Handlebar [0068] 24 Hand lever [0069] 25 Driver [0070] 26 Front wheel [0071] 27 Sensor device [0072] 28 Position-determining device [0073] 29 Personal identification device [0074] 30 Safety-relevant data [0075] 31 Output device [0076] 32 Mobile device [0077] 33 Coupling interface