CONCEPT
We are looking for people interested in participating to and/or financing an innovative vehicle. This vehicle proposes the comfort and security of a (saloon) car while only measuring 32 inches and with a capacity of threading its way through the traffic like a motorcycle. As shown in the picture this two-wheeled vehicle proposes a completely closed coachwork which covers its two passengers from bad weather and chocs in a comfortable passenger cell.
PROPULSION
The vehicle is driven by a chain with a hybrid system. It uses a small heat engine to produce the energy stocked in the gyroscopes and then oriented towards the wheeling engines to create propulsion.
PRINCIPLE OF STABILIZATION
The stabilization of the vehicle is guaranteed by a set of 3 gyroscopes that are controlled by a microprocessor.
The gyroscopes are fixed on a double cardan joint.
According to Beghins theorem the gyroscopic effect creates an anti-roll couple that is the vectorial product of the cynetic moment of a spinning-top by the speedvector of the steering-lock of these according to an axis that is perpendicular to this last one (steering-lock of set B of the design).
The appended picture shows the anti-roll vector and its trajectory when the gyroscope is turned.
As long as vector « X » is more or less lined up with the vehicle, we obtain a useful couple of anti-rolls. On the contrary, as soon as the gyroscope has turned 45°, the couple provokes some pitching on the vehicle and no longer controls the rolls. Thus we have to discharge frame A and make vector X follow trajectory 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 1 with a return to the useful area.
The advantage of this device is that one disposes of two useful areas of 45° at every turn of set A.
STABILITY CONTROL
The microprocessor disposes of a low-pass accelerometer which detects the resultant of the sum of the gravity acceleration plus the possible lateral acceleration due to a bend.
If this resultant is not coplanar to the design of the vehicle frame, the microprocessor activates a gyroscope. In case of a nonstationary disequilibrium, this may be sufficient. However, if we have to struggle against a constant thrust as soon as the first gyroscope has attained point 1 and during its weighting(balancing?), the microprocessor activates the second gyroscope and then if necessary the third gyroscope. Following the disequilibrium gradient, 1, 2 or 3 gyroscopes can simultaneously be activated.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
In parking position, when the gyroscopes are turned off, the vehicle is kept in equilibrium by two hydraulic jacks, like the stands of a motor cycle.
As soon as one starts opening the cockpit, for example with an infrared key, the thermic motor is turned on and the gyroscopes are activated.
As soon as the gyroscopes have reached their nominal minimum speed, the jacks are automatically retracted and the vehicle is ready to be manoeuvred (forward and backward, like a car).
At slow speed, the changing of direction is done by the steering lock of the wheel. The gyroscopes ensure stability.
At high speed, the steering wheel is blocked and the couple that is fixed by the pilot is managed by the microprocessor so as to provoke a tilting of the vehicle by activating the gyroscopes then straightening after the bend.
EXPERIMENTAL BACKGROUND
We successfully realized an experiment on a simplified chassis with two ground contacts. We fixed a gyroscope that is activated by the steering wheel (see the picture). With the feet on the toe tips it was possible to stabilize the demonstrator without any problem while activating the gyroscope. The piloting load was extremely light and the equilibrium was perfect.
THE OBJECITVES OF THE VEHICLE
- low energy consumption
- low cost
- small mass shape
- low weight
- low cx
- high dynamic performances
- high road capacities and manoeuvres
- high comfort and excellent security
STRATEGY OF THE CONCEPT FORM OF THE CAR
A dynamic and international group of passionated people should be created, linked by the Web. Each of them participate to developing and producing the vehicle.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1. by contacting us
2. by finding other colleagues who may be interested by their special skills, such as engineers, journalists, automobile clubs, or other companies
3. by finding clients, money or sponsors
4. by sharing your skills and your ideas, or by adding a missing link ...
5. by presenting this project on other sites, inserting a link and translating it into other languages to spread it about as much as possible ...
6. by publishing articles on this project (we plan to present scale models of the vehicle in showrooms in 2 years).
COMPETENCE SEARCH
- mechanical
- electro-mechanics
- vehicle stabilization
- numerical simulation
- design
- modelling
- commercial
- financial...
BACKGROUND
In the past we have designed and produced racing cars. We defined the aerodynamics of some 15 racing cars and vehicles and some 10 railways vehicles. We have a wind tunnel, a clean room, mechanical workshops and several work platforms and bench testing.
