Drive module for a skateboard and set and skateboard with such a drive module

Abstract

A drive module for a skateboard, the drive module comprising at least one axle with at least one wheel which is or can be driven by an electric motor, and a frame, which is connected to the axle and has a receiving space for an energy storage unit, in particular for a secondary battery, the drive module being replaceably connectible to the skateboard. Also, a set and a skateboard comprising the drive module.

Claims

1. A drive module for a skateboard, the drive module comprising: an axle with at least one wheel, which is configured to be driven by an electric motor, and a frame, which is connected with the axle, and has a receiving space for an energy storage unit, wherein the drive module is configured to be replaceably connectible with the skateboard, wherein the electric motor is connected with a controller, which is configured to be electrically connected with the energy storage unit, wherein the frame forms at least one protective bracket, wherein the frame, in particular the at least one protective bracket, at least partially envelops the controller housing, and wherein the controller housing has a plug contact for electrically connecting the energy storage unit with the controller.

2. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a base plate for the axle, and is detachably connectible with a deck of the skateboard.

3. The drive module according to claim 2, wherein the frame has a support plate, which is configured to be connected with the deck of the skateboard independently of and spaced apart from the base plate.

4. The drive module according to claim 3, wherein the frame has a positive-locking element, in particular a keyhole opening, which is formed in the support plate.

5. The drive module according to claim 3, wherein the at least one protective bracket connects the support plate with the base plate.

6. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a latching mechanism for fixing the replaceable energy storage unit in place.

7. The drive module according to claim 2, wherein the axle has an axle carrier, which in particular is hinged with the base plate, wherein a cable duct is formed in the axle carrier.

8. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor comprises a wheel hub motor.

9. A set comprising: a drive module according to claim 1; and a retaining bolt, wherein the retaining bolt is fixedly connectible with a skateboard deck and is connectible with the frame of the drive module so that the drive module is configured to be unlatched from the skateboard deck.

10. The set according to claim 9, wherein the retaining bolt is configured to be connected with the skateboard deck with screws or adhesive.

11. The set according to claim 9, further comprising a replaceable energy storage unit, which is configured to be arranged in the receiving space of the frame of the drive module.

12. A skateboard comprising: a deck; and a drive module according to claim 1, which is connected with the deck.

13. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the controller housing has a latching mechanism for fixing the replaceable energy storage unit in place.

14. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage unit comprises an accumulator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

(1) The invention will be described in greater detail below based on an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the attached, schematic drawings. Shown therein on:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a drive module according to the invention in a preferred exemplary embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a controller housing of the drive module according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of an energy storage unit of the drive module according to FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the axle of the drive module according to FIG. 1 with covered cable duct;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the axle according to FIG. 4 with open cable duct;

(7) FIG. 6 is an exploded view with a frame of the drive module according to FIG. 1 and a skateboard deck; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the frame according to FIG. 6 and a retaining bolt for connection with the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows the essential components of the drive module according to the invention in a preferred configuration. The drive module 1 for a skateboard consists of a frame 10 that borders a receiving space 11. An energy storage unit 30 can be inserted into the receiving space 11. The energy storage unit 30 is designed as an accumulator or rechargeable battery pack. The energy storage unit 30 can alternatively also be designed as a battery. The frame 10 is connected with an axle 20, which carries two wheels 27. The connection between the axle 20 and frame 10 is preferably hinged.

(10) FIG. 1 further shows a controller 40, in particular a controller housing 41. The controller housing 41 is comprised of a housing body 44 that can be sealed by a back plate 43. Power electronics 42 are preferably located inside of the controller housing 41. The back plate 43 has a bushing 45, which enables electrical contact between the controller 40 and energy storage unit 30.

(11) The frame 10 has a base plate 12 and a support plate 13. The base plate 12 and support plate 13 are joined together by two protective brackets 15. Specifically, lateral side profiles 16 extend from the support plate 13, and pass over into the protective brackets 15. The side profiles 16 form a guide 14 for the energy storage unit 30, so that the latter can be inserted into the frame 10. A frame neck 17 designed as a double-headed connecting profile extends between the base plate 12 and protective brackets 15. The protective brackets 15 essentially pass over into the shared frame neck 17.

(12) As especially readily discernible on FIG. 6, the base plate 12 and support plate 13 are arranged in a shared plane. The frame neck 17 extends from this plane, and connects the base plate 12 with the protective brackets 15, which are spaced apart from the shared plane of the base plate 12 and support plate 13. The protective brackets 15 extend essentially parallel to this shared plane. The frame neck 17 together with the protective brackets 15 essentially yields a Y-profile as viewed from above.

(13) In the assembled state, the controller 40, in particular the controller housing 41, is located inside of the frame 10. The controller housing 41 is rigidly connected with the frame 10. The controller housing 41 here extends under the protective brackets 15. In other words, the controller housing 41 is enveloped by the protective brackets 15. As a consequence, the protective brackets 15 yield an impact guard for the controller housing 41 or controller 40. At the same time, at least sections of the side profiles 16 can extend over the controller housing 41, thereby ensuring a lateral impact guard for the controller housing 41 as well.

(14) The side profiles 16 are connected with each other by the support plate 13. A positive-locking element 18 is formed in the support plate 13, preferably in the form of a keyhole opening. The positive-locking element 18 serves to fix the drive module 1 in place on a skateboard deck 50.

(15) The energy storage unit 30 shown on FIG. 1 is essentially designed as an accumulator or battery. To this end, the energy storage unit 30 has a battery housing 31, which is composed of two side parts 32 and a front plate 33. The side parts 32 and front plate 33 are preferably made out of plastic. The outer contour of the battery housing 31 essentially corresponds to the inner profile of the receiving space 11 in the frame 10, so that the battery housing 31 can be inserted into the receiving space 11, in particular along the guide 14, and there positively fixed in place.

(16) FIG. 2 shows the structural design of the controller 40 in detail. The controller 40 essentially comprises the controller housing 41 with the housing body 44 and back plate 43. Power electronics 42 are located inside of the controller housing 41. A radio communication unit 46 is further provided in the depicted exemplary embodiment. A bushing 45 is formed in the back plate 43 for establishing an electrical and data connection between the controller 40 and energy storage unit 30. The bushing 45 is preferably configured in such a way that an electrical connection can be established between the controller 40 and energy storage unit 30 by simply inserting the energy storage unit 30 into the receiving space 11. The controller housing 41, in particular the housing body 44, further comprises a cable outlet 47, which enables the cable connection between the controller 40 and an electric motor of the drive module 1. The cable outlet 47 is preferably situated close to the axle.

(17) FIG. 3 shows the structural design of the energy storage unit 30 in detail. The energy storage unit 30 consists of the battery housing 31 with the side parts and front plate 33. Several cells, in particular battery cells or accumulator cells, are preferably arranged inside of the battery housing 31. Several cells 36 are here wired together into cell blocks 37. The cell blocks 37 are electrically connected with a plug 35, which is situated on the back plate 43. The plug 35 is preferably aligned in such a way as to engage into the bushing 45 of the controller 40 while inserting the energy storage unit 30 into the receiving space 11, and thereby establish an electrical connection. Battery management electronics 34 are also arranged inside of the battery housing 31. The battery management electronics 34 control the charging and discharging process of the energy storage unit 30. In addition, the battery management electronics 34 provide a signal connection to the power electronics 42 of the controller 40, so that state data for the energy storage unit 30 can be retrieved via the power electronics 42. In addition, the data connection between the battery management electronics 34 and controller 40 can be transmitted via the radio communication unit 46 to a display device that can be wirelessly connected with the drive module 1, for example a remote control and/or a smartphone.

(18) FIGS. 4 and 5 show an axle 20 of the drive module 1. The axle 20 consists of an axle carrier 21, which is also referred to as a hanger in technical jargon. Axle bolts 22 are molded onto the axle carrier 21. The geometry of the axle 20 essentially corresponds to the geometry of known skateboard axles. The axle carrier 21 has a cable duct 23, which essentially extends from the axle bolt 22 until close to a hinged connection between the axle carrier and base plate 12. The hinged connection itself is not shown on FIGS. 4 and 5 for reasons of clarity.

(19) A cable 28 is arranged in the cable duct 23, and extends from an electric motor along the cable duct 23 up until the frame neck 17. To this end, a cable bushing 19 is formed in the frame neck 17, so that the cable 28 is largely protected while being guided up until the controller 40. The cable duct 23 minimizes the distance covered by the cable 28 unprotected. A duct cover 24 that can be latched with the axle carrier 21 also serves this purpose. The axle carrier 21 has recesses 26 in which latching elements 25 are arranged. Corresponding latching elements 25 are also arranged in the cable cover 24, so that the cable cover 24 can be placed in the recess 26. The depth of the recess 26 is here preferably adjusted to the wall thickness of the cable cover 24.

(20) As denoted on FIGS. 4 and 5, the axle carrier 21 preferably carries a respective cable duct 23 on either side, which leads to a respective one of the axle bolts 22 of the axle 20. Accordingly, two recesses 26 along with two duct covers 24 are provided. The drive module 1 is preferably equipped with two electric motors designed as wheel hub motors. Therefore, the axle bolts 22 each directly carry an electric motor, wherein the electric motor has an outer running surface. The electric motor here essentially serves as a wheel 27 of the drive module 1. The electric motors can preferably be actuated separately, which yields a high flexibility in various driving situations.

(21) FIGS. 6 and 7 exemplarily illustrates the connection of the drive module to a skateboard deck 50. The frame 10 of the drive module 1 essentially serves as a link between the drive module 1 and deck 50. To this end, use is made on the one hand of the standardized hole pattern in the deck 50, which usually consists of six holes. The base plate 12 comprises a corresponding number of bores, in particular at least four bores, so that the frame 10 on the base plate 12 can be connected with the deck 50 using screws 54. In order to stabilize the connection, the positive-locking element 18 is further preferably formed on the frame 10, wherein the positive-locking element 18 is spaced apart from the base plate 12. The positive-locking element 18 preferably consists of a keyhole opening, which is formed on the support plate 13.

(22) Most of the time, no corresponding counter-element is provided at the location of the positive-locking element 18 in conventional skateboard decks 50. In this regard, it is advantageous to offer the connecting module 1 in a set with a retaining bolt 51, wherein the retaining bolt can be connected with the deck 50. The retaining bolt can here be connected with the deck 50 via a screwed connection or, as in the exemplary embodiment shown, via an adhesive bond.

(23) To achieve an adequate adhesive bond, the retaining bolt 51 preferably has an adhesive plate 52 that provides an enlarged adhesive surface. The size of the adhesive plate 52 is dimensioned so as to ensure a strong enough connection between the retaining bolt 51 and deck 50. The retaining bolt 51 is connected with the frame 10 by means of the positive-locking element 18 in the form of a keyhole opening, which is readily discernible on FIG. 7. To ensure a positive connection not just in the horizontal, but also in the vertical direction, the retaining bolt 51 has a bolt head 53, which in the assembled state engages the positive-locking element 18 or an oblong hole section of the keyhole opening from behind.

(24) The drive module 1 preferably together with an energy storage unit 30 has a mass of less than 4 kg, in particular less than 3 kg. It is further preferably provided that the entire drive module 1 including the energy storage unit 30 essentially be liquid-tight in design. To this end, it can be provided in particular that a seal be arranged between the energy storage unit 30 and controller 40. The seal is preferably fixedly secured to the back plate 43 of the controller housing 41.

(25) The entire drive module 1, in particular to include the energy storage unit 30, is preferably designed so that it can achieve speeds in excess of 20 km/h. With respect to the wheels 27 with the electric motor designed as a wheel hub motor, it is preferably provided that the latter have an outer diameter of at most 80 mm. The wheels 27 can be driven by the electric motor in the form of an electric direct drive. The electric motor and the controller 40, in particular the power electronics 42, can be configured so that the electric motor acts as a regenerative brake.

(26) With respect to the energy storage unit 30, it is preferably provided that the latter consist of an accumulator or battery having an integrated battery management system. The accumulator preferably has an energy content of about 100 Wh. The drive module 1 can be nominally operated with a d.c. voltage of 24 volts. The accumulator can here consist of two cell blocks 37 with a total of 14 cells. The cells 36 are preferably designed as lithium-ion cells.

(27) It can further be provided that the energy storage unit 30, in particular the battery housing 31, have a display that furnishes information about the charging state of the cells 36. For example, the display can be made up of a series of LED's. The charging state query can be initiated by pressing a button, wherein a corresponding actuator button is provided on the battery housing 31. The battery management electronics 34 are here coupled with the display in such a way as to also enable a charging state display when the energy storage unit 30 is decoupled from the controller 40. The energy storage unit 30, in particular the battery management electronics 34, is preferably configured in such a way that the cells 36 can be charged both while installed inside of the drive module 1 and independently of the drive module 1.

REFERENCE LIST

(28) 1 Drive module 10 Frame 11 Receiving space 12 Base plate 13 Support plate 14 Guide 15 Protective bracket 16 Side profile 17 Frame neck 18 Positive-locking element 19 Cable bushing 20 Axle 21 Axle carrier 22 Axle bolt 23 Cable duct 24 Duct cover 25 Latching element 26 Recess 27 Wheel 28 Cable 30 Energy storage unit 31 Battery housing 32 Side part 33 Front plate 34 Battery management electronics 35 Plug 36 Cell 37 Cell block 40 Controller 41 Controller housing 42 Power electronics 43 Back plate 44 Housing body 45 Bushing 46 Radio communications unit 47 Cable outlet 50 Deck 51 Retaining bolt 52 Adhesive plate 53 Bolt head 54 Screw