Couplable drive unit and steering unit

Abstract

A drive unit couples to a steering unit for a multi-axle vehicle for conveying a passenger. The drive unit includes a chassis configured as a supporting structure of the drive unit, a drive module with a motor and a first axle with wheels for driving the vehicle, a coupling device for coupling the drive unit to the steering unit, an operating element for operating the drive module, and a seat arrangement for supporting the passenger. The drive unit is also configured such that a total center of mass of the drive unit is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the first axle. A corresponding steering unit and a vehicle comprising a corresponding drive unit and a steering unit are also disclosed.

1 . A drive unit for coupling to a steering unit for a multi-axle vehicle for conveying a passenger, comprising:
 a chassis which is configured as a supporting structure of the drive unit;   a drive module including a motor and a first axle with wheels for driving the vehicle;   a coupling device for coupling the drive unit to the steering unit;   an operating element for operating the drive module; and   a seat arrangement for supporting the passenger, wherein the drive unit is configured such that a total center of mass of the drive unit is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the first axle.   
     
     
         2 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive module further includes an energy store for operating the motor. 
     
     
         3 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive module further includes at least one second axle with wheels, wherein the second axle is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the first axle and parallel thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor includes a motor shaft, which is arranged parallel to the first axle and, using a transmission device, transmits a rotational movement of the motor shaft into a rotational movement of at least one of: the first axle or the wheels of the first axle for driving the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor includes a motor shaft, which is arranged parallel to at least one second axle, and using a transmission device transmits a rotational movement of the motor shaft into a rotational movement of at least one of: the second axle or the wheels of the second axle for driving the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first axle includes a differential. 
     
     
         7 . The drive unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one second axle includes a differential. 
     
     
         8 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor includes at least one pair of hub motors with in each case a motor shaft, wherein the two motor shafts of the pair of hub motors form the first axle and, in each case, one of the hub motors is associated with a left-hand wheel and the other hub motor is associated with the right-hand wheel of the first axle. 
     
     
         9 . The drive unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the motor includes at least one pair of hub motors with in each case a motor shaft, wherein the two motor shafts of the pair of hub motors form the at least one second axle and, in each case, one of the hub motors is associated with a left-hand wheel and the other hub motor is associated with the right-hand wheel of the at least one second axle. 
     
     
         10 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a center of mass of the seat arrangement is arranged in at least tone of: (i) an unloaded state or (ii) in a state loaded by a passenger in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the first axle. 
     
     
         11 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes a rigid frame, which is configured to be dividable or foldable. 
     
     
         12 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes footrests for positioning the feet of the at least one passenger, wherein the footrests are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the first axle. 
     
     
         13 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes a suspension system of the first axle, wherein the suspension system includes at least one of: at least one shock absorber, at least one spring, or at least one spring arm for a resilient suspension of the first axle. 
     
     
         14 . The drive unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the chassis includes a suspension system of the at last one second axle, wherein the suspension system includes at least one of: at least one shock absorber, at least one spring, or at least one spring arm for a resilient suspension of the at least one second axle. 
     
     
         15 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling device includes a tiller that is at least one of: rigid, steerable, foldable, dividable, or removable. 
     
     
         16 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling device includes at least one of: (i) a plug connection for the pluggable connection of the drive unit to the steering unit, or (ii) a spherical head coupling for connecting the drive unit to the steering unit. 
     
     
         17 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive module includes a suspension device for connecting to a suspension unit configured for transporting at least one further passenger. 
     
     
         18 . The drive unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one brake configured to introduce a braking action for braking the vehicle on at least one of: a first axle, at least a second axle, or at least one of the wheels.   
     
     
         19 . A steering unit for coupling to a drive unit for a multi-axle vehicle for conveying a passenger, the drive unit including: a chassis which is configured as a supporting structure of the drive unit; a drive module including a motor and a first axle with wheels for driving the vehicle; a coupling device for coupling the drive unit to the steering unit; an operating element for operating the drive module; and a seat arrangement for supporting the passenger, wherein the drive unit is configured such that a total center of mass of the drive unit is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the first axle, the steering unit comprising:
 at least one steering unit axle with wheels, wherein the steering unit, in a state decoupled from the drive unit, forms a separate usable, drivable vehicle with the at least one steering unit axle.   
     
     
         20 . The steering unit according to  claim 19 , wherein the steering unit is selected from a group consisting of: a golf trolley, a trolley, a walking frame and a rollator. 
     
     
         21 . The steering unit according to  claim 19 , wherein the steering unit is configured for receiving bags, golf bags, suitcases, boxes and seats. 
     
     
         22 . The steering unit according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a control module for regulating and controlling the drive unit.   
     
     
         23 . The steering unit according to  claim 22 , wherein the control module is a removable control module. 
     
     
         24 . A multi-axle vehicle for conveying at least one passenger, comprising:
 a drive unit and a steering unit coupled to the drive unit,   wherein the drive unit includes:
 a chassis which is configured as a supporting structure of the drive unit; 
 a drive module including a motor and a first axle with wheels for driving the vehicle; 
 a coupling device for coupling the drive unit to the steering unit; 
 an operating element for operating the drive module; and 
 a seat arrangement for supporting the passenger, wherein the drive unit is configured such that a total center of mass of the drive unit is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the first axle, 
   and wherein the steering unit includes:
 at least one steering unit axle with wheels, wherein the steering unit, in a state decoupled from the drive unit, forms a separate usable, drivable vehicle with the at least one steering unit axle. 
   
     
     
         25 . The multi-axle vehicle according to  claim 24 , wherein the steering unit, in a coupled state with the drive unit, is at least one of:
 (i) arranged tilted about an axle of the steering unit, or   (ii) releasably connected to the drive unit for transmitting control signals from a control module of the steering unit to the drive unit.