US20170036127A1

US20170036127A1 - Tracking toy vehicle

Info

Publication number: US20170036127A1
Application number: US15/059,841
Authority: US
Inventors: Ya-Jun WANG
Original assignee: Studio Eluceo Ltd
Current assignee: Studio Eluceo Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-04
Filing date: 2016-03-03
Publication date: 2017-02-09
Also published as: CN204864955U

Abstract

A tracking toy vehicle includes a vehicle body, a left drive wheel, a right drive wheel, a sensing device installed at bottom of the vehicle body for sensing a tracking line, a controller electrically connected to the sensing device, a left driving device for driving the left drive wheel to steer, and a right driving device for driving the right drive wheel to steer. The sensing device includes a first sensor and a second sensor respectively installed on left and right sides of an axle of the vehicle body, for respectively sensing whether the toy vehicle is following the tracking line. The sensing device can identify the tracking line under the vehicle body to confirm the location of the tracking line, and then the controller changes the rotational speed of the left driving device or the right driving device to steer the toy vehicle along the tracking line.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a toy vehicle and, more particularly, a tracking toy vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
In related art, a toy vehicle is usually controlled to make turn by remote control or built-in programs, its turning direction is controlled by users or programs, so that its moving direction is either various and cannot be controlled or static, and the purpose of variety and customization cannot be achieved simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tracking toy vehicle.
The object of the present invention is to provide a tracking toy vehicle, which includes a vehicle body, a left drive wheel, a right drive wheel, a sensing device installed on bottom of the vehicle body for sensing a tracking line, a controller electrically connected to the sensing device, a left driving device for driving the left drive wheel to steer left, and a right driving device for driving the right drive wheel to steer right.
The sensing device includes a first sensor and a second sensor respectively installed on left and right sides of an axle of the vehicle body, for respectively sensing whether the location is corresponded to or deviated from the tracking line.
the first sensor electrically connected to the left driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the left driving device by sensing signals of the first sensor;
the second sensor electrically connected to the right driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the right driving device by sensing signals of the second sensor; or
the first sensor electrically connected to the right driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the right driving device by sensing signals of the first sensor;
the second sensor electrically connected to the left driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the left driving device by sensing signals of the second sensor.
Preferredly, the first sensor and the second sensor are symmetrically set on two sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body and near a front end of the vehicle body.
Preferredly, the first sensor and the second sensor are photosensitive diodes.
Preferredly, the toy vehicle also includes a set of light source on the bottom of vehicle body to irradiate the tracking line which under the vehicle body.
Preferredly, the light source includes a first infrared light and a second infrared light symmetrically set at the two sides of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, the first infrared light and the second infrared light are near the first sensor and the second sensor respectively.
Preferredly, the light source includes a third infrared light set on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, the third infrared light is located between the first infrared light and the second infrared light, the sensing device further includes a third sensor set located at the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, the third sensor is a photosensitive diode and located between the first sensor and the second sensor, the third sensor is electrically connected to the left driving device and the right driving device through the controller.
Preferredly, the left driving device includes a left motor, the right driving device includes a right motor.
Preferredly, the left driving device further includes a left gear set installed between the left motor and the left drive wheel, the left gear set is respectively engaged with an output shaft of the left motor and an axle of the left drive wheel;
The right driving device further includes a right gear set installed between the right motor and the right drive wheel, the right gear set is respectively engaged with an output shaft of the right motor and an axle of the right drive wheel.
Preferredly, a power supply slot provided for power supply installation is set on the vehicle body, multiple touch points set on the power supply slot are provided to be electrically connected to the light source, the left motor and the right motor respectively.
Preferredly, the tracking toy vehicle further includes a speaker, the speaker is electrically connected to the controller.
The following effects may be achieved by implement of the tracking toy vehicle of the present invention: the tracking line under the car body may be identified by the sensing device to confirm the location of the tracking line, and then the identified signal is passed to the controller to control the rotational speed of the left driving device or the right driving device for steering the toy vehicle according to the direction of the tracking line, to thereby achieve the purpose that the toy vehicle is able to move along the direction of the tracking line. Tracking lines may be set freely, so that the moving tracks of toy vehicles may be various.
Besides, in the present invention, using infrared and photosensitive diodes may accurately identify the tracking line under the vehicle body. The structure is simple, the function is stable, production cost may be cheaper and manufacture may be more convenient due to modular design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the tracking toy vehicle moving along the tracking line according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the tracking toy vehicle in FIG. 1 in another angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to clearly understand the technical features, purpose and effect of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in details with accompanying diagrams.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tracking toy vehicle may identify a tracking line S previously drawn and set under the tracking car, and the toy vehicle may be controlled to move along the tracking line S. In other embodiments, the tracking line S may also by formed by a bendable soft line body.
In the description of the toy vehicle of the present invention, it needs to understand that, orientation or positional relationship instructed by the terms “front”, “rear”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right” is based on orientation or positional relationship shown in figures, which is only used to conveniently describe the present invention and simply illustration, not to instruct or intimate that the device or element must have particular orientation, be composed and operated in particular orientation. Thus, it cannot be understand as limiting the present invention.
In some embodiments, a tracking toy vehicle includes a vehicle body 1, a left drive wheel 2, a right drive wheel 3, a sensing device 4 installed at bottom of the vehicle body 1 for sensing a tracking line S, a controller electrically connected to the sensing device 4, a light source 5 installed at bottom of the vehicle body 1 for lighting the tracking line S under the vehicle body 1, a left driving device 6 for driving the left drive wheel 2 to steer, and a right driving device 7 for driving the right drive wheel 3 to steer.
In some embodiments, the sensing device 4 includes a first sensor 41 and a second sensor 42 respectively installed on left and right sides of an axle of the car body, for respectively sensing whether the location is corresponded to or deviated from the tracking line S. Further, the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are symmetrically set on two sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body 1 and near a front end of the vehicle body 1, so that there is enough time for the toy vehicle to steer and it may be easily controlled by users. Preferredly, the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are photosensitive diodes, so as to determine whether the location is corresponded to or deviated from the tracking line S through the tracking line S and light variation around. Of course, in other embodiments, the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 may also be Infrared sensors.
When using the toy vehicle, first, a user installs the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 on the top of two sides of the tracking line S respectively. The toy vehicle moves straight initially when the toy vehicle normally moves forwards or backwards. If the tracking line S is a curve, the first sensor 41 or the second sensor 42 is corresponded to the curved tracking line S below and senses the tracking line S, and sends signals to the controller, the controller sends control signals to the left driving device 6 or the right driving device 7. The toy vehicle steers by modulating the rotational speed of the left drive wheel 2 or the right drive wheel 3, so that the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are maintained on two sides of the tracking line S, and the toy vehicle moves along the direction of the tracking line S. When the toy vehicle runs too fast that passing the tracking line S, the controller sends control signals to let the toy vehicle drives back to the area of the tracking line S. When the toy vehicle hits objects in driving, the controller is able to send control signals to let the toy vehicle drive in the opposite direction.
In some embodiments, the first sensor 41 is electrically connected to the left driving device 6 through the controller, to control the rotational speed of the left driving device 6 through sensing signal of the first sensor 41; the second sensor 42 is electrically connected to the right driving device 7 through the controller, to control the rotational speed of the right driving device 7 through sensing signal of the second sensor 42.
For example, when the first sensor 41 senses the tracking line S, it means that the wheel on the left side of the vehicle body may nearly touch the tracking line S. The controller may control the left driving device 6 to reduce the rotational speed of the left drive wheel 2, so that the toy vehicle is able to steer left. When the second sensor 42 senses the tracking line S, it means that the wheel on the right side of the vehicle body may nearly touch the tracking line S. The controller is able to control the left driving device 7 to reduce the rotational speed of the right drive wheel 3, so that the toy vehicle can steer right.
In other embodiments, the first sensor 41 is electrically connected to the right driving device 7 through the controller, to control the rotational speed of the right driving device 7 by sensing signals of the first sensor 41; the second sensor 42 is electrically connected to the left driving device 6 through the controller, to control the rotational speed of the left driving device 6 by sensing signals of the second sensor 42. For example, when the first sensor 41 senses the tracking line S, it means that the wheel on the left side of the vehicle body may nearly touch the tracking line S. The controller is able to control the right driving device 7 to improve the rotational speed of the right drive wheel 3, so that the toy vehicle is able to steer left. When the second sensor 42 senses the tracking line S, it means that the wheel on the right side of the vehicle body may nearly touch the tracking line S. The controller may control the left driving device 6 to improve the rotational speed of the left drive wheel 2, so that the toy vehicle can steer to right.
Further, the light source 5 is set at bottom of the vehicle body 1 to irradiate the tracking line S, so that the tracking line S can be easily sensed by photosensitive diodes. The light source 5 includes a first infrared light 51 and a second infrared light 52 symmetrically set on the two sides of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body 1, the first infrared light 51 and the second infrared light 52 are set near the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 respectively. The light source 5 may be able to remove or be closed through a switch when the ambient light is strong enough that the tracking line S can be easily identified or when the tracking line S itself is bright.
In some embodiments, the left driving device 6 further includes a left motor 61 and a left gear set 62 installed between the left motor 61 and the left drive wheel 2, the left gear set 62 are respectively engaged with an output shaft of the left motor 61 and an axle of the left drive wheel 2, so that the rotational speed ratio of the left motor 61 and the left drive wheel 2 is applicable.
The right driving device 7 further includes a right motor 71 and a right gear set 72 installed between the right motor 71 and the right drive wheel 3, the right gear set 72 is respectively engaged with an output shaft of the right motor 71 and an axle of the right drive wheel 3, so that the rotational speed ratio of the right motor 71 and the right drive wheel 3 is applicable. The left gear set 62 and the right gear set 72 may be removed if the output speed of the left motor 61 and the right motor 71 is lower.
Preferredly, the light source 5 further includes a third infrared light 53 set on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body 1, the third infrared light 53 is located between the first infrared light 51 and the second infrared light 52, the sensing device 4 further includes a third sensor 43 set on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body 1, the third sensor 43 is a photosensitive diode and located between the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42, the third sensor 43 is electrically connected to the left driving device 6 and the right driving device 7 through the controller.
While the toy vehicle moves, the third sensor 43 and the third infrared light 53 are located above the tracking line S. If the tracking line S is straight, the third sensor 43 can generate a relatively stable resistance. The controller receives the signal and simultaneously sends the same circuit to drive the left driving device 6 and the right driving device 7 to move synchronously, so that the toy vehicle does not wobble in order to provide stability when running straight.
A power supply slot 11 provided for power supply installation is set on the vehicle body 1, multiple touch points set on the power supply slot 11 are provided to be electrically connected to the light source 5, the left motor 61 and the right motor 71 respectively. In other embodiments, power source may be a built-in setting electrically connected to the light source 5, the left motor 61 and the right motor 71.
The tracking toy vehicle further includes a speaker 12, the speaker 12 is electrically connected to the controller, and the speaker 12 may sound different sounds to improve entertainment.
It can be understand that the above technical features may be combined as desired without restriction.
All the above are only the embodiments of the present invention; it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. All the equivalent structure or process transformation used description and accompanying drawings of the present invention, or those directly or indirectly applied the present invention in other relevant technical field are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tracking toy vehicle, which includes a vehicle body, a left drive wheel, a right drive wheel, a sensing device installed at bottom of the vehicle body for sensing a tracking line, a controller electrically connected to the sensing device, a left driving device for driving the left drive wheel to steer, and a right driving device for driving the right drive wheel to steer;

the sensing device includes a first sensor and a second sensor respectively installed on left and right sides of an axle of the car body, for respectively sensing whether the location is corresponded to or deviated from the tracking line;

the first sensor electrically connected to the left driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the left driving device by sensing signals of the first sensor;

the second sensor electrically connected to the right driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the right driving device by sensing signals of the second sensor; or

the first sensor electrically connected to the right driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the right driving device by sensing signals of the first sensor;

the second sensor electrically connected to the left driving device through the controller is provided to control a rotational speed of the left driving device by sensing signals of the second sensor.

2. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are symmetrically set on two sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body and near a front end of the vehicle body.

3. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are photosensitive diodes.

4. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the toy car further includes a light source set on a lower side of the car body.

5. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the light source includes a first infrared light and a second infrared light symmetrically set on the two sides of the longitudinal centerline of the car body, the first infrared light and the second infrared light are set near the first sensor and the second sensor respectively.

6. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the light source further includes a third infrared light set on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, the third infrared light is located between the first infrared light and the second infrared light, the sensing device further includes a third sensor set on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, the third sensor is a photosensitive diode and located between the first sensor and the second sensor, the third sensor is electrically connected to the left driving device and the right driving device through the controller.

7. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the left driving device includes a left motor, the right driving device includes a right motor.

8. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the left driving device further includes a left gear set installed between the left motor and the left drive wheel, the left gear set are respectively engaged with an output shaft of the left motor and an axle of the left drive wheel;

the right driving device further includes a right gear set installed between the right motor and the right drive wheel, the right gear set are respectively engaged with an output shaft of the right motor and an axle of the right drive wheel.

9. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein a power supply slot provided for power supply installation is set on the vehicle body, multiple touch points set on the power supply slot are provided to be electrically connected to the light source, the left motor and the right motor respectively.

10. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tracking toy vehicle further includes a speaker, the speaker is electrically connected to the controller.

11. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are photosensitive diodes.

12. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the toy car further includes a light source set on a lower side of the car body.

13. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the light source includes a first infrared light and a second infrared light symmetrically set on the two sides of the longitudinal centerline of the car body, the first infrared light and the second infrared light are set near the first sensor and the second sensor respectively.

14. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light source further includes a third infrared light set on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, the third infrared light is located between the first infrared light and the second infrared light, the sensing device further includes a third sensor set on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, the third sensor is a photosensitive diode and located between the first sensor and the second sensor, the third sensor is electrically connected to the left driving device and the right driving device through the controller.

15. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the left driving device includes a left motor, the right driving device includes a right motor.

16. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the left driving device further includes a left gear set installed between the left motor and the left drive wheel, the left gear set are respectively engaged with an output shaft of the left motor and an axle of the left drive wheel;

17. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein a power supply slot provided for power supply installation is set on the vehicle body, multiple touch points set on the power supply slot are provided to be electrically connected to the light source, the left motor and the right motor respectively.

18. The tracking toy vehicle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tracking toy vehicle further includes a speaker, the speaker is electrically connected to the controller.