FR2612415A1 - Computer-controlled race circuit for miniature cars - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a race circuit for miniature cars. This circuit comprises modular track elements assembled end to end to form a loop-type track, inductor electromagnetic means 54 of the linear motor type which are fastened under the track elements whose line they follow, a plurality of miniature cars 68 mounted on wheels and placed on the track without having any physical link therewith, each car being equipped with a mass of iron 70 oriented transversely to the axis of the car and acting as rotor (armature), means 80 for detecting the presence of cars and means 86 for identifying the cars, and a computer which receives data on the position of each car on the circuit at regular intervals and which automatically controls, in accordance with a given program provided by integrated software, the slipping of the voltage along the said inductor means according to a particular sequence for each car.

Description

Race circuit for miniature cars, managed
by computer.

 The present invention relates to a racing circuit for miniature cars of all kinds, in which the racing conditions can be simulated so that they are practically identical to those of an actual race.

 Miniature racing circuits are known which include several parallel tracks on each of which a car can move. On these circuits, the cars are pulled by chains. However, the tracks being distinct, the cars are compelled to move on one of them, without possibility of passing on another track. It is therefore impossible to reproduce on these circuits the possibilities of a real race, such as overtaking, fish tails, etc. In addition, the cars are driven at substantially equal speeds, and n1 have the possibility of neither slow down, speed up, let alone stop and start again. Unexpected situations and twists and turns in the race are therefore nonexistent. Also, the interest that spectators can arouse from a race on such circuits can only become dull very quickly.

 The present invention proposes a racing circuit for miniature cars capable of reproducing exactly all the possibilities which are usually offered by a formula 1 circuit, that is to say overtaking, fish tails, slowdowns in turns, accelerations on straight lines, technical stops, etc.

To this end, the circuit according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises:
- modular track elements assembled end to end to form a loop track comprising straight lines, turns, exits from the track, sidings, said elements having a width allowing the passage of at least two cars to the time,
- inductive electromagnetic means of the linear motor type, which are fixed under the track elements of which they follow the layout, by materializing on the latter at least one main track and, in certain areas of the circuit, passing tracks, exit or garage which branch off from the main track to reach it further,
- A plurality of miniature cars mounted on wheels and placed on the track without having a physical connection with it, each car being made essentially of non-magnetic material and being provided with a mass of iron oriented transversely to the axis of the car and which plays the role of the armature for the aforementioned linear motor,
- detection means mounted at constant spacing along the circuit to detect the presence of cars,
identification means also arranged at constant spacing along the circuit and which are sensitive to marks carried by the cars, and
a computer which receives at regular intervals from said presence detection means and from said identification means, information on the position of each car on the circuit, and which automatically manages, in accordance with a given program provided by integrated software, the slip of the tension along said inductor means in a particular sequence for each car, so that the cars are trained in an unpredictable manner for the spectators, with the possibility of overtaking or stopping on the exit tracks.

 The attraction of such a circuit lies in the fact that it reproduces exactly the conditions of an actual race. The cars have no link with the track and follow on it routes invisible to the eye.

 So that the running of the race does not appear to be programmed, the computer will be able to choose between a very large number of subroutines available, and nest them randomly. Thanks to this formula, the probability of reproducibility of the race on a day of operation is practically zero.

 In accordance with the chosen program, the computer organizes the placement of the cars on the starting grid in a random order, decides the order of arrival of the cars, manages overtaking, pit stops, exits on the tracks garage, slowdowns and accelerations, all in an absolutely unpredictable way. Such a race, rich in unforeseen events and new situations, arouses constantly renewed interest among spectators. Interest can be further enhanced by organizing a race betting game, as will be described in detail later.

 It is understood that with the circuit according to the invention, any risk of accident by collision or collision is eliminated, since the programs are suitably developed to exclude this possibility.

 It will also be appreciated that the cars are not polluting and are silent because they do not use a fuel engine for their movement.

 In a particular embodiment of the invention, the inducing means consist of bars of non-magnetic material in which are embedded a plurality of electromagnets arranged in file along the bars with a relatively small constant spacing, and with their axis oriented perpendicular to the runway plane.

 The computer manages, -rar via power electronics, the cutting and energizing of the electromagnets in the order that they follow one another along the bars, so as to ensure the movement of cars according to the principle of the linear motor.

 In another embodiment of the invention, the inductor means are constituted by a motor developed flat comprising a stack of rectangular sheets which have on one of their longitudinal edges a succession of notches and notches, the latter receiving strands of conductive wires supplied by the sector and which are wound in a mantle by reversing the direction of the wire each time one passes from one notch to the next, so as to obtain a series of north poles and poles in line with the slots following each other at the speed of the current frequency.

 In this latter embodiment, the armature is constituted by a plate which can be magnetic, or conductive or even mixed, that is to say formed by a stack of a non-magnetic layer and a conductive layer. The armature can still be on a ladder which derives from the squirrel cage.

 The speed of the cars is managed by the computer via a frequency regulator, as will be explained later.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of several non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a miniature circuit;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a track element according to a first embodiment where the inductor is formed by a line of electromagnets;
Figure 3 shows the assembly area between two adjacent runway components;
Figure 4 is a perspective view in section of an electromagnet inductor;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the track and in elevation of a car;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a rung of bars; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an inductor with mantle winding.

 Referring firstly to FIG. 1, the miniature circuit takes on the appearance of a conventional circuit of formula 1. It includes a main track 10 in closed loop comprising straight lines 12, shallow turns 14, hairpin turns 16, etc ...

On this main track, exits to tight turns, exits from track 18 on which cars can be driven to be immobilized there. These runway exits are in the form of a loop and are connected at their two ends on the runway. In addition, one or more garage tracks 20 bypassing the main track and passing in front of a stand 22 can be provided to act as a garage track where cars can simulate technical stops. A grandstand 24 is installed on the edge of the main runway. Of course, the circuit can present unevennesses, such as blackcurrant, donkey back or slopes and descents.

 The track shown in Figure 1 has two wheels, but it goes without saying that, without changing anything to the basic idea of the intention, it can include a higher number, or even a single track, although this latter achievement does shows little interest in racing, as we will see later.

 The track is formed by the assembly of modular track elements 24, an exemplary embodiment of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. This element is preferably made in one piece by molding of an impact-resistant plastic material and in the weather, for example in high density cellular epoxy resin, but it is obvious that it can also be produced by assembling simple constituent parts.

 The element 24 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped comprising a flat upper wall 26 which constitutes the rolling track proper, two vertical longitudinal walls 28, 29 bent downward to form bases 30, 32 and which extend above from the level of the raceway by two retaining edges 34, 36, and two vertical transverse walls 38, 40, which may as well be strongly inclined relative to the vertical.

 As shown in Figure 3, the track elements are arranged one after the other, the transverse wall 40 of one being applied to the transverse wall 38 of the next, and they are secured by means of bolts 42 which pass through holes 44 drilled in said walls and are screwed into nuts 46.

 The track elements 24 have on their upper wall two longitudinal channels 46, 48 which are molded with said upper wall and are arranged substantially each at a quarter of the width of the track from the adjacent edge 34, 36. These channels pre feel a rectangular section and each receive an elongated parallelepipedic element or bar 50, 52, which exactly fills the channels. In other words, the upper surface of the bars comes flush with the upper surface of the raceway.

 The bars have a U-shaped section and are made by stacking several rectangular plates in a non-magnetic material. Between the wings of the bars are housed, a plurality of electromagnets 54 (Figure 4) arranged in line along the bar with a relatively small constant spacing of a few centimeters.

The electromagnets have their axis oriented vertically and they are clamped in the bar thanks to an inclusion in the interstices of a waterproof material, for example an epoxy resin.

 The coils 56 of the electromagnets are connected in parallel on two supply lines 56, 60, by means of switching means shown very diagrammatically at 62. These are capable of being controlled automatically by a computer, as will explain this in detail later. Each track element is provided on its side walls 28 with a waterproof electrical connector 64 to which the electrical supply lines lead, and the cables for connection with 1 computer.

 The raceway is provided with space in place and more particularly in the sections in a bowl, with holes 64 for the evacuation of rainwater which would be accumulated. These holes as well as the bars are masked by means of a thin plate of plastic material 66 which covers the entire surface of the race track.

 On the runway 26 are placed a plurality of miniature cars 68 of any known type. For example, one can use model cars of racing cars, or motorcycles, or models of animals mounted on wheels, such as greyhounds. In an alternative embodiment, one could even imagine tracks in the shape of basins filled with water on which would evolve reduced models of boats or sailboats.

 The cars are made essentially of a non-magnetic material and as shown in Figures 2 and 5, they are equipped at the front with a stabilizing fin 69 in which is concealed a mass of pure iron 70, in the form of a plate oriented transversely to Track. This mass of iron is intended to play a role of mobile armature by the electromagnets 54. To minimize leakage of the magnetic flux of the electromagnets and thereby increase the efficiency of the drive of cars, it It is essential that the air gap formed between the mass of iron and the core of the electromagnet is as small as possible.

 The principle of driving cars on the track is that of the flat developed motor or linear motor which is well known in the art. It will be briefly recalled below with reference to FIG. 4: all the electromagnets being off-circuit, only the electromagnet 54A is supplied. The iron mass 70 of the car will therefore be attracted towards the latter. If, when the car comes to a stop over the electromagnet 54A, the power is cut off and the electromagnet is supplied according to 54B, the car will not stop, but it will go up to 54B. Again, when the car arrives at 54B, the power supply to the latter is cut off and the electromagnet according to 54C is supplied, so that the car will advance to the latter. A linear motor was thus produced.

 The management of the moments of the sequential supply of the successive electromagnets and of power cut-offs is carried out automatically by a computer interfaced on its I / O bus to a power electronics which supplies the bars. The sequential feed scrolling is managed by a set of several slip registers, corresponding to the number of cars on the track, based on the principle of the luminous journal. Since the switching speeds must be very high, the energy will be of the direct current type.

 Returning to FIG. 1, the tracks followed by the cars are shown there schematically by strong lines. These lines naturally correspond to the line formed by the linear bars 50, 52. The main track V1 is the one which is always on the right in the direction of traffic of the cars, represented by the arrows. The left lane V2 is the one on which overtaking is done. As with a Formula 1 circuit, the overtaking zones are placed in strategic places, for example in straight lines, in tight corners. The runway exits 18 comprise a single looped track 72 which tangentially leaves the main track V1 and converges tangentially towards the latter or towards the passing lane V2. The garage track 20 which leads to the stand 22 also has a single track 74 which connects at its ends to the main track.

 FIG. 6 represents the diagram of one of the branches which have just been listed. In this figure, the electromagnets 54 of the main track are shown diagrammatically by a hatched circle and those 54 ′ of the branch track by a white circle. At the junction location is mounted a bifurcation electromagnet which is composed of two half-electromagnets 54a, 54b, which are fed together.

 An overtaking or bifurcation is therefore carried out by successively supplying the electromagnets 54 of the main track to the bifurcation electromagnet then, depending on whether you want to steer the car towards the main track or towards the overtaking track, the following electromagnets 54 or the electromagnets 54 'are successively supplied.

 Before each departure, the computer organizes the placement of the cars on the track in a random order reminiscent of a layout resulting from the test times.

This installation is carried out according to the principle which has been explained previously, that is to say by the fact that the computer controls the supply and cut of the electromagnets so as to move the cars forward. until bringing them to the starting grid in the order chosen by him.

 To allow the computer to act on a given car at any point on the circuit, it is provided, as shown in FIG. 5, with car presence detectors 80, relatively spaced apart (for example every meter) which are connected to the computer via a line of conductors 82. Cars are provided with inductors 84 which, when they pass over the detector 80, induce in the latter a signal which is transmitted to the computer. The latter is then informed of the presence of a car in front of detector 80.

 In addition, the track is provided with a plurality of identification detectors 86, 86, grouped for example by four and which are also connected to the computer by conductors 88. For their part, the cars are each provided with 'An inductor device 90 which permanently transmits these signals in binary code characterizing the car.

When the inducing device passes vertically over the identification detector 86, it induces in the latter a coded signal in binary mode which, by decoding, gives the computer the number of the car. In return, the computer can act on the cars, by means of the electromagnets 54 and the power electronics dcntrn shown schematically in FIG. 4 only the switches 62.

 According to an interesting aspect of the invention, race racing can be the subject of a game. Each car bears a number for this purpose on which visitors can bet and place their bets.

 The computer can, for example, issue them a ticket on which the betting data appears. After the cars have been put on the starting grid, the computer shoots from a classic electronic abacus, twisting the cars' arrival. Each car is then assigned a number identical to its order of arrival. This number is obviously invisible to visitors. From then on, the computer will organize the race so that the cars arrive at the finish line in the order that was provided by the electronic abacus.

We will now give an example to understand how the race takes place. We will assume that the order of the cars on the starting grid is 14,12, 8, 6, 3,
If the computer pulls the order of arrival 6, 12, 8, 14, 3 ..., it will assign in its internal registers the number 1 to car 6, the number 2 to car 12, the number 3 to car 8 and so on.

 The race with overtaking, pit stops and departures from the track is organized by the computer with integrated software so that the order of arrival which has been drawn is obtained in a reasonable number of laps, for example example 20 laps. To do this, each time a car number is recognized on the circuit, the computer will choose one of the subroutines to enable it to move car 6 to first place, car 12 to second place, car 8 to third place etc ... If by bad luck, this case does not exist in the subroutines, the computer will choose an out-of-track program, in order to put out of the race the car or cars which have taken the lead over those which must arrive before them, and thus obtain at all costs the classification drawn.

 At the end of the race, the cars which the computer had brought to the exit tracks, to the edge of the track or to the stand, are brought back, by order of the computer, to the starting grid in any order.

 A simple way to stop cars after they have crossed the finish line is to simultaneously power all the electromagnets. Cars are therefore braked and quickly immobilized since they are attracted by several electromagnets at the same time.

 Advantageously, each car is equipped, in this way more than the transverse plate of pure iron 70 located at the front, with another plate 93 which is practically identical, but fixed to the rear of the car. Thanks to these two plates, it is possible to obtain the stopping of the cars after which they have crossed the finish line, by simultaneously feeding all the electromagnets at the same time. The cars, then held at their two ends, are immediately immobilized.

 Up to now, the structure and the operation of a linear motor have been described, the inductor of which consists of in-line electromagnets.

 We will now describe the variant embodiment of FIG. 7 which represents an inductor of the motor type developed flat. As its name suggests, this inductor can be obtained by supposing that lton opens a rotary motor in a radial plane and that one kills flat on a plane. it includes a package 94 of thin rectangular sheets 96 of the same dimensions and made of pure non-magnetic iron. These sheets are insulated from each other by a layer of varnish and are strongly tightened by copper or brass rivets. Each of the sheets is provided on one of its longitudinal edges with a succession of slots 98 alternated with notches 100 of the same dimensions. The notches of all the sheets are aligned with each other, so that they form equidistant oriented channels. across the width of the sheet bundle, and separated by slots 98.

 Inside the notches are housed strands of enamelled conducting wires 102 which form a so-called mantle winding. To cancel the field effects created by the wires, the first wire goes into a notch, the second into the next notch but in the opposite direction to the first and so on. Thus, if a south pole is generated in the first notch, the magnetic value of this pole will be obtained on the next slot. The north and south poles succeed one another on the slots.

 As shown in FIG. 7, the coil coat is flat in the notches and is raised at its two ends which protrude on either side of the sheet bundle 94, forming rounded portions 104, 106.

The ends of the latter are located substantially at the level of the face 108 of the package which is opposite to that on which the notches are formed. As a result, the magnetic lines close at said face 108 along straight lines.

 As in the case of the bars of FIG. 5, the inductors are arranged end to end in a channel formed on the track 26, the face 108 of the sheet pack coming at the same level as the upper surface of the track.

 The armature consists of a plate which can be a permanent magnet or a conductive material. It can also consist of an alternating stack of non-magnetic layers and magnetic layers, or even be a ladder. It is fixed under a car 68 parallel to the upper face 108 of the package, forming a small air gap with said face.

 The pushing force exerted on the car is proportional to the area of the inductor opposite the armature.

 If the inductors are supplied by the sector, that is to say at an alternating voltage of 50 hertz, one generates a scrolling of the north and south poles one after the other, by natural sliding at the same frequency as the supply voltage . The speed of the car will then have a maximum speed. This speed can be adjusted by means of a frequency regulator which can vary the frequency between O and 50 hertz. The drive speed of the car can thus be adjusted between the zero speed and the aforementioned maximum speed.

 In this embodiment also, the race is managed by computer. This controls, via the frequency regulator, the speed of travel of the poles on the inductors and therefore the speed of the cars. The computer regularly receives information on the actual position of each car, which is supplied to it by the presence detectors 80 and by the identification detectors 86. From this information, it calculates the speed of each vehicle.

Taking into account the program, it acts on the supply frequency of each inductor so as to correct the speed of movement of the cars so that they pass to the finish line in the order that was assigned to them by the electronic abacus .

 In this embodiment, it is unnecessary for the car to be provided with an iron plate 93 at the rear.

To obtain the stop of the car after it has crossed the starting line, it suffices to cut the power supply to the inductor, and to make the armature which is carried by the car in magnetic material, that is to say by a permanent magnet. As soon as the power is cut, the permanent magnet retained by the inductor immobilizes the car.

Claims (14)

 1.- Race circuit for miniature cars, characterized in that it comprises:  - modular track elements (24) assembled end to end to form a loop track comprising straight lines, turns, runway exits, sidings, said elements having a width allowing the passage of at least two cars to that time,  - inductive electromagnetic means (54, 94) of the linear motor type, which are fixed under the track elements of which they follow the layout, by materializing on the latter at least one main track and, in certain areas of the circuit, passing, leaving or parking lanes which branch off from the main track to reach it further,  - A plurality of miniature cars (68) mounted on wheels and placed on the track without having a physical connection with it, each car being made essentially of non-magnetic material and being provided with a mass of iron (70) oriented transversely to the axis of the car and which plays the role of the armature for the aforementioned linear motor,  - detection means (80), mounted at constant spacing along the circuit to detect the presence of cars,  - identification means (86) also arranged at constant spacing along the circuit and which are sensitive to marks (90) carried by the cars, and  a computer which receives at regular intervals from said presence detection means and from said identification means, information on the position of each car on the circuit, and which manages automatically, in accordance with a given program provided by integrated software, the sliding of the voltage along said inducing means in a particular sequence for each car, so that the cars are driven in an unpredictable manner for the spectators, with the possibility of overtaking or stopping on the exit tracks.  2. A racing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that each track element (24) is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped comprising a flat upper wall (26) which constitutes the running track proper, two vertical longitudinal walls ( 28, 29) bent downwards to form bases (30, 32) and which extend above the level of the runway by two retaining edges (34, 36), and two vertical transverse walls (38, 40).  3.- A racing circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that the track elements are connected to one another by means of bolts (42) which pass through the transverse walls (38.40) of two adjacent track elements and nuts (46), the electromagnetic means inducing each track element (24) coming into alignment with the next track element (24 ').  4. A racing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that said electromagnetic inducing means are constituted by a plurality of electromagnets (54) arranged in line inside a bar (50, 52) of material non-magnetic which is inserted inside a channel (46, 48) of complementary shape, formed on the upper face (26) of the track element.  5. A racing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the mass of iron (70) forming an armature is produced in the form of a plate fixed transversely to the front of the car, and that another mass of iron ( 97) in the form of a plate is fixed transversely to the rear of the car.  6. A racing circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that the bar has a U-shaped section, the electromagnets (54) being inserted between the arms of the bar, with a relatively small constant spacing, and with their axis oriented perpendicular to the track, the interstices of the bar being filled with a non-magnetic material, and in that the upper face of the bar is flush with that of the track (26).  7.- A racing circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that the coils (56) of the electromagnets are connected in parallel on two supply lines (58, 60), parl'intermediate switching means (62) capable of 'be controlled by the computer.  8.- A racing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that in the branches of the track, such as the exits of the track, the electromagnet which is at the bifurcation is composed of two half-electromagnets (54a, 54b) always excited together, so that the cars can be directed to one of the branch lines.  9. Race circuit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each track element is provided on its side walls (28) with a sealed electrical connector (64) to which its electrical supply lines and the cables of computer connection.  10.- A racing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the electromagnetic inducing means are constituted in the form of a motor developed flat comprising a stack of rectangular sheets (96) which have on one of their longitudinal edges a succession of slots (98) and notches (100), the latter receiving strands of conductive wires (102) supplied by the sector and which are wound in a mantle by reversing the direction of the wire each time one passes from one notch to the next, so to obtain at the right of the slots a succession of north poles and south poles which follow one another at the speed of the frequency of the current, the mantle of coils thus formed being raised at its ends which exceed the bundle of sheets, forming rounded portions (io4, in6), so that the magnetic lines close at the level of the upper face (108) of the sheet pack, along rectilinear transverse lines, inductors similar to that ai nsi produced being inserted into channels (46, 48) formed on the upper wall (26) of the track elements, these inductors being aligned end to end.  11.- Race circuit according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the armature is constituted by a magnetic plate, or conductive or even mixed, that is to say formed by a stack of a layer non-magnetic and of a conductive layer, or even in scale, said armature being fixed on the car parallel to the track and making a small gap with the upper surface (108) of the sheet pack.  12.- A racing circuit according to one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the management of the speed of the cars is carried out by the computer by means of a frequency regulator, capable of re- set the frequency of supply of the windings to a value between O and the frequency of the sector, so as to be able to adjust the speed of travel of the north and south poles on the slots (98) of the inductors, and consequently the speed moving cars.  13.- Race circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer controls an electronic abacus which assigns before the start of the race, an arrival order number to each car.  14.- A racing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the program is prepared by the computer from a plurality of sub-programs, so as to organize the overtaking or the departures from the track necessary for vehicles arrive on the finish line in the order given by the electronic abacus.