Electricity: motive power systems – With particular motor-driven load device
Patent
1992-10-09
1994-08-30
Shoop, Jr., William M.
Electricity: motive power systems
With particular motor-driven load device
318296, 310156, 310 67R, 280DIG5, H02K 714
Patent
active
053431286
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a drive assistance device for a vehicle, such as a golf buggy (referred to as a "cart" in the U.S.), trolley or parcel carrier, which is adapted to be pushed or pulled by an operator in either a forward or a reverse direction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional golf buggy comprises a support frame for a golf bag mounted on a pair of wheels. In use, a golfer either pushes or pulls the golf buggy. For many golfers the necessity to push or pull the conventional golf buggy is particularly tiresome and detracts from the pleasure of playing golf, and in some instances, particularly in the case of older golfers, limits the extent to which the golfers can play golf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is known to motorise golf buggies by mounting a motor to the support frame and coupling the motor through a transmission system, such as gears or chains, to the wheels. However, such motorised golf buggies are noisy, cumbersome and often difficult to use.
An object of the present invention is to provide a drive assistance device for a golf buggy which alleviates the disadvantages of the conventional and motorised golf buggies described in the preceding paragraphs.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for at least partially driving a vehicle, such as a golf buggy, a trolley, or a parcel carrier, which is adapted to be pushed or pulled by an operator in a forward or a reverse direction, the device comprising;
(a) a wheel adapted to rotate about an axle of the vehicle, the wheel having an internal chamber; and
(b) an electromagnetic assembly located in the chamber operable to provide drive for the vehicle.
It is preferred that the vehicle is a golf buggy.
It is preferred that the electromagnetic assembly comprises a plurality of spaced-apart magnets arranged in a circular array for rotation with the wheel and an electromagnetic field coil for generating a magnetic field located in a stationary position with respect to the magnets between the axle and the magnets. It is particularly preferred that the magnets are connected to a circumferential wall of the chamber.
It is preferred that the device further comprises a dc power source connected to the electromagnetic field coil.
It is preferred that the magnets are button magnets arranged so that one end of each magnet faces the chamber and the ends of adjacent magnets are of opposite polarity.
It is preferred that the device comprises a control means to alternate the polarity of the magnetic field.
With such an arrangement, when an electric current is passed through the electromagnet field coil, the magnetic field produced initially attracts the magnet of opposite polarity located closest to the electromagnetic field coil towards the electromagnetic field coil and subsequently repels the magnet when the polarity of the magnetic field alternates in response to the control means when the magnet is in the position which is the shortest possible distance from the electromagnetic field coil. Thus, when a golfer initiates movement of the golf buggy in a forward or reverse direction the attraction and repulsion of the magnets with respect to the electromagnetic field coil has the combined effect of assisting the drive of the wheel in the forward or reverse direction.
It is preferred that the electromagnetic field coil is positioned so that there is an annular gap between the electromagnetic field coil and the magnets.
It is preferred that the electromagnetic field coil is adapted to generate a plurality of magnetic fields of opposite polarity around an outer surface of the electromagnetic field coil that faces the magnets.
It is preferred that the electromagnetic field coil comprises a continuous coil of wire, a first plate which extends across one side of the wire coil and terminates in a series of spaced apart fingers which form a part of the outer surface of the electromagnetic field coil, and a second plate which extends across the other side of the wire coil and terminates in a series of spaced apart fingers whic
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Barnes Arthur J.
Beltrame Carlo L.
Martin David
Shoop Jr. William M.
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