Europäisches Patentamt *EP000722402B1* (19) European Patent Office

Office européen des brevets (11) EP 0 722 402 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.7: B62M 13/00, B62M 19/00, of the grant of the patent: F16D 33/00 02.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/01 (86) International application number: (21) Application number: 94930652.6 PCT/US94/11395

(22) Date of filing: 07.10.1994 (87) International publication number: WO 95/10443 (20.04.1995 Gazette 1995/17)

(54) FLUID FOR SMALL WITH DIRECT DRIVE FLÜSSIGKEITSKUPPLUNG FÜR KLEINE MASCHINE MIT DIREKTANTRIEB COUPLEUR HYDRAULIQUE POUR PETIT MOTEUR A ENTRAINEMENT DIRECT DE ROUE

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventor: WITTHAUS, Charles, Allison AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL Hayward, CA 94545 (US) PT SE (74) Representative: Morgan, James Garnet et al (30) Priority: 13.10.1993 US 136440 Manitz, Finsterwald & Partner GbR Martin-Greif-Strasse 1 (43) Date of publication of application: 80336 München (DE) 24.07.1996 Bulletin 1996/30 (56) References cited: (73) Proprietor: PATMONT MOTOR WERKS, INC. US-A- 2 139 107 US-A- 2 294 994 Pleasanton, CA 94566 (US) US-A- 3 339 659 US-A- 4 821 832

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 0 722 402 B1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 0 722 402 B1 2

Description attached eccentrically mounted toroidal plug for causing helical rotation of fluid about the plug. A turbine mates [0001] This invention relates to a or to the pump and includes rotating vanes within the other converter for a small engine which finds use with half of the toroidal path, these vanes being shaped a direct wheel drive. The fluid coupling of this invention 5 around the toroidal plug of the pump. The toroidal plug can be mounted in a cantilevered support from a small and toroidal volumes are eccentrically mounted one with engine to directly drive the rear wheel of a small respect to another to cause high velocity flow on the out- or alternately to a beam type support in which the out- side diameter of the pump and turbine with low velocity board bearing of the fluid coupler is supported from a flow in the inside diameter of the pump and turbine. Flu- strut, such as a plate reinforcing gas tank mounting. 10 id, typically oil, is confined to the pump and turbine by appropriate seals and causes torque conversion be- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tween the pump and turbine. In the preferred embodi- ment, a fuel tank for the engine is mounted overlying the [0002] In U.S. Patent 4,821,832 entitled MOTOR driven wheel so as to shield the interface of the wheel SCOOTER HAVING A FOLDABLE HANDLE AND 15 and driving spindle. At the same time, the exterior of the of Steven J. Patmont Issued April 18, driven pump is supplied with vanes to generate appro- 1989, there is disclosed a coupling or priate air cooling at the fluid coupling. A preferred em- . This fluid coupling includes an inner bodiment is disclosed wherein the mount of the fluid motor driven shaft, an outer wheel driving shaft, and a coupler includes a bearing on the outboard end of the fluid couple between the driven and driving shafts for 20 fluid coupler. producing in a motor scooter a . From US-A-2 294 994 a combination according to the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS preamble of claim 1 is known. This document shows a fluid drive for motorcycles. This known fluid drive is pro- [0007] vided with a driven shaft being connected to the engine 25 of the motorcycle wherein a pump wheel of a fluid cou- Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of a scooter having pling is connected to the output shaft. The fluid coupling the drive of this invention at the rear wheel; further comprises a turbine wheel which is coupled Fig. 2 is a an expanded perspective section of the through a hydraulic fluid with the pump wheel and which fluid coupling illustrating the engine and fluid cou- is connected to an outer driving shaft coupled to the rear 30 pling suspended with respect to the driven wheel, wheel of the motorcycle. the scooter chassis and wheel being omitted; [0003] In what follows, an improvement on this com- Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the fluid coupling rel- bination is disclosed. ative to the engine from which the fluid coupling is [0004] Known fluid , particularly torque con- mounted; verters, have been utilized in all kinds of machinery, es- 35 Fig. 4 is a side elevation section of the pump, turbine pecially automobiles. With these torque converters, it is and pump cover; common to include, a driven shaft, a pump, a turbine, Fig. 5 is a perspective disassembled view taken and a driving shaft. Commonly, these units are aligned with the axis of the assembled fluid coupling folded serially one behind another. Thus, the entire power path disclosing the relative locations of the respective from the engine to the driven part of the engine con- 40 assembled parts of the fluid coupling; sumes a considerable linear distance needed for the flu- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an assembled scooter id coupling between the serially aligned driven and driv- at the driving wheel showing the fluid coupler with ing paths. a gas tank covering the coupler; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the gas tank removed SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 45 and the fluid coupler reinforced by a bearing at- tached to a plate; and, [0005] The invention is defined by claim 1. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the plate removed [0006] A fluid coupling is disclosed for the direct drive from the fluid coupler illustrating location of a bear- of a wheel from a small engine. The fluid coupling is ing at the distal end of the coupler from the motor. mounted in cantilevered support or two ended bearing 50 support from a small engine and has a small diameter DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT inner driven shaft and a larger diameter out wheel driv- ing shaft for contacting and directly driving a wheel. The [0008] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, fluid coupling C is inner driven shaft connects to a pump having a relatively disclosed for the direct drive of wheel W from a small larger outer diameter than either the driven or driving 55 engine E. The fluid coupling is mounted in cantilevered shaft. This pump is mounted on the opposite side of the support from small engine E, Fig.1 showing the engine driven wheel from the engine and preferably includes and rear end of the scooter and Fig. 2 showing wheel rotating vanes within one half a toroidal path having an and engine alone.

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[0009] Referring to the exploded view of Fig. 3, fluid pler remote from engine E. coupling C has a small diameter inner driven shaft 14 and larger diameter outer wheel driving shaft 16 for con- tacting and directly driving wheel W. Inner driven shaft Claims 14 connects to pump 18 having a relatively larger outer 5 diameter than either the driven shaft 14 or driving shaft 1. In combination a wheel (W) to be driven, a frame 16. Such connection occurs by bolt 15 threading to driv- mounting said wheel (W) to be driven for rotation en shaft 14. Further, it can be seen that regular ball bear- about an axis, an engine (E), said engine (E) mount- ing 17 and needle bearings 19 provide the necessary ed to said frame and having an output shaft sub- rotating bearings to assure transfer of the rotation. 10 stantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said wheel [0010] Referring back briefly to Figs. 1 and 2, it can (W), and, a fluid coupling (C) connecting said wheel be seen this pump 18 is mounted on the opposite side (W) to be driven and said engine (E), said fluid cou- of the driven wheel W from engine E. pling (C) comprising in combination: [0011] Referring to Fig. 5, it can be seen that pump 15 18 includes rotating vanes VP within one half a toroidal an inner driven shaft (14) connected to said en- path having an attached eccentrically mounted toroidal gine (E) on one side of said wheel (W) to be plug P for causing helical rotation of fluid about the plug. driven; Turbine T mates to pump 18 and includes rotating vanes a pump (18) connected to said driven shaft (14) VT within the other half of the toroidal path, these vanes and rotating with said driven shaft (14); being shaped around the toroidal plug P of the pump. 20 fluid communicated to said pump (18) for re- [0012] Referring to the section of Fig. 4, toroidal plug ceiving rotational energy from said engine (E); P and toroidal volumes between vanes VP and VT are an outer and wheel driving shaft (16) concen- eccentrically mounted one with respect to one another. trically mounted about and concentric to said Such mounting causes high velocity flow on the outside inner and driven shaft (14); diameter 22 of the pump and turbine with low velocity 25 a turbine (20) mounted to said outer and wheel flow in the inside diameter 24 of the pump 18 and turbine driving shaft (16) and juxtaposed to and in fluid 20. communication with said pump (18) on the op- [0013] An important note about vanes VP and VT. posite side of said wheel (W) for receiving ro- These respective vanes are not give arcuate configura- tational energy from said fluid passing through tion -- such configuration while adding to the efficiency 30 said pump (18); and, of the disclosed fluid coupling would add undue fabrica- means (30, 32) sealing fluid between said tion expense. This being the case, the vanes VP and VT pump (18) and turbine (20) for enabling fluid cir- have walls that are essentially parallel to the axis of ro- culating between said pump (18) and turbine tation of pump 18 and turbine 20. (20) to transfer torque between said pump (18) [0014] Fluid F, typically oil, is confined to the pump 35 and turbine (20) and hence said input and out- and turbine by appropriate seals 30, 32 and causes put shaft (14, 16) for the driving of said wheel torque conversion between the pump and turbine. (W); [0015] Returning to Figs. 1 and 2, it can be seen that in the preferred embodiment, a fuel tank 40 for the en- characterized in that gine is mounted overlying the driven wheel so as to 40 shield the interface of the wheel and driving spindle. At said inner driven shaft (14) extends across said the same time, the exterior of the driven pump is sup- wheel (W) to be driven on the opposite side of plied with air vanes 44 to generate appropriate air cool- said wheel (W) to be driven such that ing at the fluid coupling. said pump (18) rotates with said driven shaft [0016] Referring to Fig. 6, it is desirable to cover en- 45 (14) on the opposite side of said wheel (W) from gine E with a tank T. This can be done with the cantilev- said engine (E). ered embodiment of this invention or alternately with a bearing as set forth in Figs. 7 and 8. 2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein [0017] Referring to Fig. 6, tank T is shown held to the said pump (18) and said turbine (20) include fins 50 side of the illustrated scooter rear wheel W at respective (VP,VT) disposed in a toric path axially about said bolts 101, 102, 103 with appropriate washers and lock inner and outer shafts (14, 16). nuts. Referring to Fig. 7, when tank T demounts from bolts 101 - 103, it exposes plate 105. Plate 105 in turn 3. The combination of claim 2 and wherein has a bearing mount 110 medially of the generally trian- said fins (VP,VT) are disposed in planes normal to gular plate 105. 55 the axis of said shafts (14, 16). [0018] When plate 105 is in turn removed, it exposed bearing mount 110 which protrudes into and captures a 4. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said pump bearing 120 on the outward, distal end of the fluid cou- (18) has vanes (VP) disposed in a toric path con-

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centrically around said inner shaft (14), said vanes Drehung um eine Achse befestigt, einem Motor (E), (VP) terminating along a plane normal to said shaft wobei der Motor (E) an dem Rahmen befestigt ist (14) at a circular plane around said pump (18); and und eine Ausgangswelle aufweist, die im wesentli- said turbine (20) has vanes (VT) disposed in chen parallel zu der Drehachse des Rades (W) a toric path corresponding in diameter to the toric 5 liegt, und einer Fluidkupplung (C), die das anzutrei- path of said pump (18), said vanes (VT) terminating bende Rad (W) mit dem Motor (E) verbindet, wobei along a plane normal to said outer and driving shaft die Fluidkupplung (C) als Kombination umfaßt: (16) at circular plane around said pump (18), said vanes (VT) of said turbine (20) juxtaposed to and in eine innere angetriebene Welle (14), die mit 10 fluid communication with said vanes (VP) of said dem Motor (E) auf einer Seite des anzutreiben- pump (18) on the opposite side of said wheel (W) den Rades (W) verbunden ist; for receiving rotational energy from said fluid pass- eine Pumpe (18), die mit der angetriebenen ing through said pump (18). Welle (14) verbunden ist und sich mit der an- getriebenen Welle (14) dreht; 5. The combination of claim 4 and including: 15 Fluid, das mit der Pumpe (18) zur Aufnahme a toric plug (P) mounted in said toric path of said einer Drehenergie von dem Motor (E) in Verbin- fins (VP) of said pump (18), said toric plug (P) being dung steht; disposed in said toric path to cause fluid to spiral eine äußere und radantreibende Welle (16), die about said plug (P) during communication of fluid konzentrisch um die innere und angetriebene between said pump (18) and turbine (20). 20 Welle (14) herum angebracht und konzentrisch zu dieser angeordnet ist; 6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein: eine Turbine (20), die an der äußeren und rad- said toric plug (P) is adjacent to said toric path at antreibenden Welle (16) und benachbart zu portions of said path remote from the axis of said und in Fluidverbindung mit der Pumpe (18) auf shaft to cause fluid passing remote from the axis of 25 der gegenüberliegenden Seite des Rades (W) said shaft to move faster than fluid nearer the axis zur Aufnahme von Drehenergie von dem Fluid of said fluid path. angebracht ist, das durch die Pumpe (18) strömt; und 7. The combination of claim 1 and wherein: ein Mittel (30, 32), das Fluid zwischen der Pum- bearing means (17, 19, 120) for supporting said out- 30 pe (18) und der Turbine (20) abdichtet, um zu er and wheel driving shaft (16) is provided. ermöglichen, das Fluid zwischen der Pumpe (18) und der Turbine (20) zirkulieren und ein 8. The combination of claim 1 and wherein Drehmoment zwischen der Pumpe (18) und der Turbine (20) und daher der Eingangs- und Aus- said wheel (W) is mounted on a scooter frame; 35 gangswelle (14, 16) zum Antrieb des Rades said pump (18) has a diameter exceeding the (W) übertragen kann; diameter of said inner shaft (14) but less than the diameter of said wheel (W); and dadurch gekennzeichnet, said turbine (20) has a diameter greater than daß sich die innere angetriebene Welle (14) über the diameter of said driving shaft (16) but less 40 das anzutreibende Rad (W) auf die gegenüberlie- than the diameter of said driven wheel (W). gende Seite des anzutreibenden Rades (W) er- streckt, so daß sich die Pumpe (18) mit der ange- 9. The combination of claim 8 and including triebenen Welle (14) auf der dem Motor (E) gegen- a housing about said turbine (20) for rotation with überliegenden Seite des Rades (W) dreht. said turbine (20), said housing defining cooling fins 45 (44) on the exterior thereof for moving air during op- 2. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, eration of said fluid coupling (C) and cooling the fluid wobei die Pumpe (18) und die Turbine (20) Rippen passing between said pump (18) and turbine (20). (VP,VT) umfassen, die in einem ringförmigen (tori- schen) Weg axial um die inneren und äußeren Wel- 10. The combination of claim 8 and wherein: 50 len (14, 16) angeordnet sind. bearing means (30, 32) for supporting said outer and wheel driving shaft (16) is provided. 3. Kombination nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Rippen (VP,VT) in Ebenen normal zu der Achse der Wellen (14, 16) angeordnet sind. Patentansprüche 55 4. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, 1. Kombination aus einem anzutreibenden Rad (W), wobei die Pumpe (18) Schaufeln (VP) aufweist, die einem Rahmen, der das anzutreibende Rad (W) zur in einem ringförmigen Weg konzentrisch um die in-

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nere Welle (14) angeordnet sind, strömt. wobei die Schaufeln (VP) entlang einer Ebene nor- mal zu der Welle (14) an einer kreisförmigen Ebene 10. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, wobei: um die Pumpe (18) herum enden; und ein Lagermittel (30, 32) zur Lagerung der äußeren 5 wobei die Turbine (20) Schaufeln (VT) aufweist, die und radantreibenden Welle (16) vorgesehen ist. in einem ringförmigen Weg angeordnet sind, des- sen Durchmesser dem ringförmigen Weg der Pum- pe (18) entspricht, wobei die Schaufeln (VT) entlang Revendications einer Ebene normal zu der äußeren und antreiben- den Welle (16) an einer kreisförmigen Ebene um die 10 1. Ensemble composé d'une roue (W) destinée à être Pumpe (18) herum enden, wobei die Schaufeln (VT) entraînée, d'un support de châssis de ladite roue der Turbine (20) benachbart zu und in Fluidverbin- (W) destinée à être entraînée pour tourner autour dung mit den Schaufeln (VP) der Pumpe (18) auf d'un axe, d'un moteur (E) monté sur ledit châssis et der gegenüberliegenden Seite des Rades (W) zur équipé d'un arbre de sortie sensiblement parallèle Aufnahme einer Drehenergie von dem Fluid ange- 15 à l'axe de rotation de ladite roue (W), et, d'un cou- ordnet sind, das durch die Pumpe (18) strömt. pleur hydraulique (C) connectant ladite roue (W) destinée à être entraînée et ledit moteur (E), ledit 5. Kombination nach Anspruch 4, coupleur hydraulique (C) comprenant, en les mit einem ringförmigen Einsatz (P), der in dem ring- combinant : 20 förmigen Weg der Rippen (VP) der Pumpe (18) be- festigt ist, wobei der ringförmige Einsatz (P) in dem un arbre interne mené (14) connecté audit mo- ringförmigen Weg so angeordnet ist, daß Fluid wäh- teur (E) sur un côté de ladite roue (W) destinée rend einer Übertragung des Fluides zwischen der à être entraînée ; Pumpe (18) und der Turbine (20) spiralförmig um une pompe (18) connectée audit arbre mené den Einsatz (P) strömt. 25 (14) et tournant avec ledit arbre mené (14) ; du fluide dirigé vers ladite pompe (18) pour re- 6. Kombination nach Anspruch 5, wobei: cevoir l'énergie rotationnelle en provenance der ringförmige Einsatz (P) an Abschnitten des We- dudit moteur (E) ; ges, die von der Achse der Welle entfernt sind, be- un arbre externe et d'entraînement de roue (16) nachbart zu dem ringförmigen Weg angeordnet ist, 30 monté concentriquement sur, et concentrique damit sich Fluid, das entfernt von der Achse der audit arbre interne mené (14) ; Welle strömt, schneller bewegt, als Fluid, das der une turbine (20) montée sur ledit arbre externe Achse des Fluidweges näher ist. et d'entraînement de roue (16), et juxtaposée à et communiquant par le fluide avec ladite pom- 7. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, wobei: 35 pe (18) du côté opposé de ladite roue (W) pour Lagermittel (17, 19, 120) zur Lagerung der äußeren recevoir l'énergie rotationnelle transmise par und radantreibenden Welle (16) vorgesehen sind. ledit fluide traversant ladite pompe (18) ; et, des moyens (30, 32) de barrage du fluide entre 8. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, wobei ladite pompe (18) et ladite turbine (20) pour 40 permettre au-fluide de circuler entre ladite das Rad (W) an einem Rollerrahmen befestigt pompe (18) et ladite turbine (20) pour transférer ist; le couple entre ladite pompe (18) et ladite tur- die Pumpe (18) einen Durchmesser aufweist, bine (20) et, donc, entre l'arbre d'entrée et l'ar- der den Durchmesser der inneren Welle (14) bre de sortie (14, 16) pour l'entraînement de la- überschreitet, aber kleiner als der Durchmes- 45 dite roue (W) ; ser des Rades (W) ist; und die Turbine (20) einen Durchmesser aufweist, caractérisé en ce que : der größer als der Durchmesser der antreiben- den Welle (16) aber kleiner als der Durchmes- ledit arbre interne mené (14) s'étend au-delà de ser des angetriebenen Rades (W) ist. 50 ladite roue (W) destinée à être entraînée, de l'autre côté de ladite roue (W) destinée à être 9. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, mit: entraînée de telle sorte que ladite pompe (18) einem Gehäuse um die Turbine (20) herum zur Dre- tourné avec ledit arbre mené (14) du côté op- hung mit der Turbine (20), wobei das Gehäuse posé de ladite roue (w) à partir du moteur (E). Kühlrippen (44) an seiner Außenseite zur Bewe- 55 gung von Luft während eines Betriebs der Fluid- 2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1 dans lequel la- kupplung (C) und zur Kühlung des Fluides definiert, dite pompe (18) et ladite turbine (20) comprennent das zwischen der Pumpe (18) und der Turbine (20) des ailettes (VP,VT) disposées selon un tracé tori-

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que de manière axiale autour des arbres interne et inférieur au diamètre de ladite roue entraînée externe susmentionnés (14, 16). (W).

3. Ensemble selon la revendication 2 dans lequel les 9. Ensemble selon la revendication 8, comprenant : 5 ailettes (VP,VT) sont disposées dans des plans nor- un carter autour de ladite turbine (20) destiné maux par rapport à l'axe des arbres susmentionnés à tourner avec ladite turbine (20), ledit carter défi- (14, 16). nissant les ailettes de refroidissement (44) sur l'ex- térieur de celle-ci pour faire circuler l'air durant le 4. Ensemble selon la revendication 1 dans lequel la- fonctionnement dudit coupleur hydraulique (C) et le 10 dite pompe (18) comprend des ailettes (VP) dispo- refroidissement du fluide circulant entre ladite pom- sées selon un tracé torique concentriquement pe (18) et ladite turbine (20). autour dudit arbre interne (14), lesdites ailettes (VP) se terminant le long d'un plan normal par rapport 10. Ensemble selon la revendication 8, dans lequel : audit arbre interne (14), sur un plan circulaire autour des moyens formant support (30,32) destinés de ladite pompe (18) ; et 15 à soutenir l'arbre externe et d'entraînement de roue ladite turbine (20) comprend des ailettes (VT) (16) sont prévus. disposées selon un tracé torique correspondant en diamètre au tracé torique de ladite pompe (18), les- dites ailettes (VT) se terminant le long d'un plan nor- mal par rapport à l'arbre externe et d'entraînement 20 de roue (16), sur un plan circulaire autour de ladite pompe (18), lesdites ailettes (VT) de ladite turbine (20) étant juxtaposées à et communiquant par le fluide avec lesdites ailettes (VP) de ladite pompe (18) du côté opposé de ladite roue (W) pour recevoir 25 l'énergie rotationnelle transmise par le fluide traver- sant ladite pompe (18).

5. Ensemble selon la revendication 4, comprenant : un bouchon torique (P) monté selon ledit tracé 30 torique desdites ailettes (VP) de ladite pompe (18), ledit bouchon torique (P) étant disposé selon ledit tracé torique pour obliger le fluide à circuler en spi- rale autour dudit bouchon (P) lors du passage du fluide entre ladite pompe (18) et ladite turbine (20). 35

6. Ensemble selon la revendication 5, dans lequel : ledit bouchon torique. (P) est adjacent audit tracé torique en certains endroits dudit tracé éloi- gnés de l'axe dudit arbre pour obliger le fluide pas- 40 sant à distance de l'axe dudit arbre à circuler plus vite que le fluide passant à proximité de l'axe dudit tracé de fluide.

7. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel : 45 des moyens formant support (17, 19, 120) destinés à soutenir ledit arbre externe et d'entraî- nement de roue (16) sont prévus.

8. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel : 50

ladite roue (W) est montée sur un châssis de scooter ; ladite pompe (18) a un diamètre supérieur au diamètre dudit arbre interne (14) mais inférieur 55 au diamètre de ladite roue (W) ; et ladite turbine (20) a un diamètre supérieur au diamètre dudit arbre d'entraînement (16) mais

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