Model vehicle and track combination

Abstract

A model vehicle has a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a bias from a remote controller and a magnetic bias from a track. The track has a main guide 2,4 providing the magnetic bias which is greater than the radio controller bias. It also has one or more junction guides 1 and corresponding alternative guides 3. The junction guides 1 have a magnetic bias that is less than the radio controller bias. This means that in use, providing the radio controller bias when the vehicle is over a junction guide 1 causes the actuator to steer the vehicle via an alternative guide 3 to a main guide 4.

1 . A model vehicle and track combination comprising:
 a model vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias and a second bias, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias;   a remote controller configured to provide the first bias; and   a track comprising a main guide configured to provide a second bias that is greater than the first bias, and one or more junction guides and corresponding alternative guides, the junction guides configured to provide a second bias that is less than first bias;   wherein, in use, providing the first bias when the vehicle is over a junction guide causes the actuator to steer the vehicle via an alternative guide to a main guide.   
     
     
         2 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 1  in which a magnitude of the second bias is determined by a distance between the guide and the actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 1  in which a magnitude of the second bias is determined by a material composition of the guide. 
     
     
         4 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 1  in which the guides include wire or strip embedded in the track surface. 
     
     
         5 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 1  in which the junction guide is a flat metal plate. 
     
     
         6 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 5  in which a lower face of the junction guide is level with a lower surface of the adjacent main guide. 
     
     
         7 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 5  in which the plate is configured to produce a second bias lower than a second bias produced by the guide wire. 
     
     
         8 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 1  in which the steering actuator comprises:
 a steering plate; 
 a guidance magnet arm comprising a permanent guidance magnet positioned near a centre line between axles of front wheels of the vehicle, the guidance magnet arm pivotally connected to the steering plate; 
 wherein, in use, the guidance magnet follows the guides in the track and causes the front wheels to steer the vehicle. 
 
     
     
         9 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 1  in which the steering actuator comprises:
 a steering plate; 
 two permanent magnets attached to the steering plate; and 
 a fixed electromagnet located adjacent to the permanent magnets; 
 wherein, in use, the controller causes the fixed electromagnet to interact with the permanent magnets to provide the first bias, and when the first bias is greater than the second bias the front wheels steer the vehicle. 
 
     
     
         10 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 9  in which one permanent magnet has its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet and the other has its south pole so positioned. 
     
     
         11 . The model vehicle and track combination of  claim 10  in which a current fed through the electromagnet from a radio receiver attracts one of the permanent magnets, thus moving the steering plate causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . A lane change section for a model vehicle and track combination in which the vehicle comprises a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias and a second bias, the track comprises a main guide configured to provide the second bias greater than the first bias, and in which the first bias is provided by a remote controller and the second bias is a magnetic bias;
 the lane change region comprising a junction guide and a corresponding alternative guide, the junction guide configured to provide a second bias that is less than first bias;   wherein, in use, the vehicle can be steered to the alternative guide when the first bias is provided.   
     
     
         13 . The lane change section of  claim 12  in which the junction guide is a flat metal plate. 
     
     
         14 . The lane change section of  claim 13  in which a lower face of the junction guide is level with a lower surface of the adjacent main guide. 
     
     
         15 . The lane change section of  claim 13  in which the plate is configured to produce a second bias lower than a second bias produced by the guide wire. 
     
     
         16 . A model vehicle for use with a track comprising a main region including a main guide, the vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias provided by a remote controller and a second bias provided by the track, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias and in which the steering actuator comprises:
 a steering plate;   a guidance magnet arm comprising a permanent guidance magnet positioned near a centre line between axles of front wheels of the vehicle, the guidance magnet arm pivotally connected to the steering plate;   wherein, in use, the guidance magnet follows the guides in the track and causes the front wheels to steer the vehicle.   
     
     
         17 . The model vehicle of  claim 16 , the vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias provided by a remote controller and a second bias provided by the track, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias in which the steering actuator comprises:
 a steering plate;   two permanent magnets attached to the steering plate; and   a fixed electromagnet located adjacent to the permanent magnets;   wherein, in use, the controller causes the fixed electromagnet to interact with the permanent magnets to provide the first bias causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle.   
     
     
         18 . The model vehicle of  claim 17  in which one permanent magnet has its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet and the other has its south pole adjacent to the electromagnet. 
     
     
         19 . The model vehicle of  claim 18  in which a current fed through the electromagnet by a radio receiver attracts one of the permanent magnets, thus moving the steering plate causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle.