Multiple-drive vehicle

Abstract

A multiple-drive vehicle comprises a first driving position (3) for a first driver provided with first driving means (4), a second driving position (5) for a second driver provided with second driving means (6), a first pair of wheels (9) mechanically connected to the first driving means (4) and a second pair of wheels (10) mechanically connected to the second driving means (6). The first driving means (5) and the second driving means (6) are independent of each other for moving the respective pairs of wheels (9, 10) in an independent manner from each other.

Claims

1. A multiple-drive vehicle comprising: a first driving position (3) for a first driver provided with first driving means (4); a second driving position (5) for a second driver provided with second driving means (6); a first pair of wheels (9) mechanically connected to said first driving means (4); a second pair of wheels (10) mechanically connected to said second driving means (6), said first driving means (5) and said second driving means (6) being independent of each other for moving the respective pairs of wheels (9, 10) in an independent manner from each other; characterized in that said first and said second pair of wheels (9, 10) are arranged forward of said driving positions (3, 5).

2. Vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first and said second driving means (4, 6) comprise respective steering wheels (15, 16) each provided with a steering column (17, 18) connected to said corresponding pairs of wheels (9, 10) by means of respective steering mechanisms (19, 20).

3. Vehicle as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said guide positions (3, 5) are mutually side by side with respect to the forward direction of the vehicle.

4. Vehicle as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said first and said second pair of front wheels (9, 10) have respective front axles (11, 12) mutually parallel and staggered along the forward direction.

5. Vehicle as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said first and said second driving means (4, 6) comprise respective braking means adapted to operate on said corresponding pairs of wheels (9, 10) in the independent manner from each other.

6. Vehicle as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said first and said second driving means (4, 6) comprise respective throttle and/or power regulation commands connected to a same engine (25) to vary a supplied power in the independent manner from each other.

7. Vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterized by comprising a rear axle (14) with two lateral rear wheels (13) connected to an engine (25) and a central rear wheel (26) arranged below said motor (25).

8. Vehicle as claimed claim 1, characterized by comprising means for adjusting the camber angle associated with connection hubs of said pairs of front wheels (9, 10) to the respective axles (11, 12).

9. Vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterized by comprising means of communication between the drivers sitting in said driving positions (3, 5).

Description

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of a multiple-drive vehicle according to the present invention, illustrated as a non-limiting example with the aid of the attached drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top view of the vehicle;

(3) FIG. 2 is a down view of the vehicle;

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(4) With reference to the attached figures, a preferred but non-exclusive configuration of a vehicle according to the invention is shown.

(5) In particular, in this embodiment the vehicle, indicated globally by 1, has the typical configuration of a kart, with a frame 2 completely uncovered and formed by tubular bars welded or otherwise fixed to each other.

(6) Compared to traditional karts, frame 2 may be increased both in width and length with increments generally between 30 cm and 40 cm.

(7) The configuration of the frame 2 is not essential for the purposes of the present invention since the vehicle 1 may also be designed as a common automobile or vehicle and therefore will not be described in greater detail.

(8) As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 2 is designed to have a first driving position 3 for a first driver provided with first driving means 4 and a second guide position 5 for a second driver provided with second driving means 6.

(9) The two driving positions 3, 5 are side by side with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 and each comprise a seat 7, 8 for the respective driver.

(10) The vehicle 1 comprises two pairs of front wheels, with a first pair of front wheels 9 mechanically connected to the first driving means 4 and a second pair of front wheels 10 mechanically connected to the second driving means 6.

(11) The two pairs of front wheels 9, 10 are arranged in front of the driving positions 3, 5 and in particular are associated with respective front axles 11, 12 which are mutually parallel and offset along the forwarding direction of the vehicle 1.

(12) In the illustrated embodiment, the first pair of front wheels 9 connected to the first driving position 3, on the left in the illustrated embodiment, is arranged rearwardly of the second pair of front wheels 10, even if their arrangement could be reversed.

(13) At the rear of the frame 2 there is a single pair of rear wheels 13 connected to a same rear drive axle 14, although there may also be several pairs of rear wheels mounted on the same traction axis or on separate traction axles and parallel to each other.

(14) In general, the rear wheels 13 will have a fixed rotation axis and will not be steerable.

(15) The first driving means 4 and the second guide means 6 are independent of each other and do not interact with each other so as to be able to move the respective pairs of front wheels 9, 10 independently of each other.

(16) Both the first driving means 4 and the second driving means 6 comprise respective steering wheels 15, 16 each provided with a steering column 17, 18 connected to the corresponding pairs of front wheels 9, 10 by respective steering mechanisms 19, 20.

(17) As more clearly visible from FIG. 2, each steer mechanism 19, 20 comprises a front axle 11, 12 divided into two axle shafts by a respective differential mechanism 21, 22 connected to the respective column 17, 18.

(18) Each front axle 11, 12 is also provided with a second differential mechanism 23, 24 which will have the aim of transmitting the motion to the axle furthest from the column 17, 18.

(19) Typically for this type of vehicle, the engine 25 is arranged at the rear and connected in a central position to the two rear wheels 13, which will therefore be the driving wheels.

(20) Furthermore, a central rear wheel 26 is also present below the engine 25, with the aim of improving the stability of the vehicle 1.

(21) The central positioning of the engine 25 will allow for an optimal balance of the vehicle 1.

(22) The engine 25 may be of various types, also depending on the category in which the vehicle is approved.

(23) The transmission may comprise a chain or belt with variator, always depending on the engine 25.

(24) The axle shafts of the front wheels 9, 10 may also comprise means for adjusting the camber angle associated with the hubs 27, 28 for connecting the front wheels 9, 10 to the respective axles 11, 12, in order to decrease or increase the height of the wheels 9, 10 during the steering or to increase or decrease the reactivity of the vehicle to the steering.

(25) In order to increase the independence of the guide between the two positions 3, 5, both the first driving means 4 and the second driving means 6 may comprise respective braking means, not shown, adapted to independently operate on the respective front wheels 9, 10.

(26) The braking means may be selected from those commonly available on the market without particular limitations and therefore will not be further described.

(27) Moreover, the first and second driving means 4, 6 may also comprise respective acceleration and/or power variation commands, also not shown as they are of a type known per se, connected to the engine 25 to vary the power delivered in independent manner from each other.

(28) In this way it will be possible for one driver to brake while the other is still accelerating, creating a motor brake effect on the vehicle with consequent sense of emptiness for one of the two drivers.

(29) Finally, it will be possible to provide communication means between the drivers seated at the driving positions 3, 5.

(30) The communication means will preferably be of the wireless type and associated with mobile transmitting devices of wearable type, such as helmets, headphones and the like.

(31) Alternatively, the communication means may comprise one or a pair of transmitters integrated in the vehicle frame and to which the drivers may connect a respective receiving apparatus, either by cable or wirelessly.

(32) The vehicle is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the inventive concept expressed in the appended claims. All the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to requirements, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

(33) Even though the vehicle has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numbers used in the description and claims are used to improve the intelligence of the invention and do not constitute any limitation to the claimed scope of protection.