In the projected KickScooter an auxiliary wheel, connected to the rear wheel through a simple gear, is attached at its rear area, on which the user will make his impulse; the differences between the diameters of the gears , the rear wheel and the auxiliary wheel will produce a multiplication of the speed of the scooter with respect to the speed of the user's feet. Therefore the scooter can travel at two or three times the speed at which the user is kicking the auxiliary wheel.
Compared with standard KickScooters, there is a much more confortable ride, as the user doesn´t have to lower his hips to kick the ground, and can walk while the scooter is running. With respect to other types of "Kick and Go" Scooters, in the proposed one the user can operate it with same movements as if he were walking.
In this second model of the idea, there is an auxiliary wheel attached at each side of the rear wheel, so the user can use both legs to drive the KickScooter, and it is also possible to have two different multiplication ratios.
In this second model of the idea, there is an auxiliary wheel attached at each side of the rear wheel, so the user can use both legs to drive the KickScooter, and it is also possible to have two different multiplication ratios.
Rear view of the proposed KickScooter mechanism, with one auxiliary drive wheel at each side of the rear wheel, so the user can impulse the scooter with both legs . We can see the different gear ratios that allow two different multiplication ratios, giving more flexibility to the KickScooter.
This is a simplified model. In a finalized model, the gears and the rear wheel would be covered by a fairing. Therefore, the final design would have use a hand brake.
Top view of the proposed KickScooter mechanism, with one auxiliary drive wheel at each side of the rear wheel, so the user can impulse the scooter with both legs . The position of the auxiliary wheel, rearwards and elevated from the platform, allows the user to hit it with the natural movement of his legs, as if he were walking on the ground..
Side view of the proposed KickScooter mechanism, with one auxiliary drive wheel at each side of the rear wheel, so the user can impulse the scooter with both legs . The transparent auxiliary wheel shows the different gear radios, that generate most of the desired multiplication. The gear itself also generates the required inversion of the direction of rotation, as the Auxiliary Wheel rotates in opposite direction to the rear wheel.
I submitted a patent application in Spain last May and now I am looking for designers interested in developing this concept into a real project.
Original Scooter: Trotinette by Nicolas Trillard
Modified Scooter by Miguel Angel at www.eicae.es
Original idea at Kick-Scooter with an Auxiliary Drive Wheel
Original Scooter: Trotinette by Nicolas Trillard
Modified Scooter by Miguel Angel at www.eicae.es
Original idea at Kick-Scooter with an Auxiliary Drive Wheel
With the CAD files at the presentation of the idea at the 2013 Altran Foundation Spain Awards:
