Four-wheel Drive Model Car

Abstract

A miniature gasoline engine is installed at the rear section of the model car. A first transmission gear is connected to and driven by the axle of the miniature gasoline engine, which in turn engages a parallel, second transmission gear, which is mounted at an end of a first transmission axle. A first bevel gear is provided at the other end of the first transmission axle, which engages a perpendicular, second bevel gear. The second bevel gear is connected to a center differential located in the center of the model car which in turn drives a second transmission axle (i.e., the main transmission axle). The second transmission axle runs through the center differential and axially through the model car, and directly drives the two front wheels and the two rear wheels, respectively.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to model cars, and more particularly to a model car having a four-wheel driving system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Existing remote-control model cars have their rear wheels driven by a miniature gasoline engine. The front wheels on the other hand are connected to the steering mechanism of the model car for direction control. These remote-control model cars are simple to manufacture and operate rather smoothly over flat surfaces. However, for bumpy or steep surfaces, their performance and reliability are less than satisfactory. In addition, these rear-wheel driven model cars are slower and more difficult to control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] As such, a four-wheel drive model car is provided herein to overcome the disadvantages of the prior arts.

[0004] According to the present invention, a miniature gasoline engine is installed at the rear section of the model car, which provides a reasonable center of gravity to the model car and therefore a reliable operation. The transmission assembly is configured such that the main transmission axle runs axially through the model car and directly drives the two front wheels and the two rear wheels, respectively, through the couplings, front and rear differentials, and the suspension systems.

[0005] A first transmission gear is connected to and driven by the axle of the miniature gasoline engine, which in turn engages a parallel, second transmission gear, which is mounted at an end of a first transmission axle. A first bevel gear is provided at the other end of the first transmission axle, which engages a perpendicular, second bevel gear. The second bevel gear is connected to a center differential located in the center of the model car which in turn drives a second transmission axle (i.e., the main transmission axle) running through the center differential.

[0006] The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

[0007] Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the transmission assembly of a four-wheel drive model car of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the model car equipped with the transmission assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the transmission assembly of a four-wheel drive model car of the present invention. A first transmission gear 1 shown in the diagram is connected to and driven by the axle of a miniature gasoline engine (not shown). The transmission gear 1 in turn engages a parallel, second transmission gear 2 which is mounted at an end of a first transmission axle (not numbered) for speed reduction. A first bevel gear 3 is provided at the other end of the first transmission axle, which engages a perpendicular, second bevel gear 4. The second bevel gear 4 is connected to a center differential (not numbered) which in turn drives a second transmission axle 5 which runs through the center differential. The two ends of the second transmission axle 5 then drive the two front wheels and the two rear wheels, respectively, through the couplings, front and rear differentials, and the suspension systems.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the model car equipped with the transmission assembly of FIG. 1, which is located at where the circle A is marked. The miniature gasoline engine is installed at the rear section of the model car, which provides a reasonable center of gravity to the model car. The transmission assembly of FIG. 1 is configured such that the second transmission axle 5 runs axially through the model car and the center differential is in the center of the model car.

[0013] The configuration of the miniature gasoline engine and the transmission assembly provide a highly reliable operation to the model car over various types of terrains. In addition, the axially aligned second transmission axle provides powerful and highly efficient driving to the four wheels so that the model car can run at great speeds with superior maneuverability.

[0014] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

[0015] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A four-wheel drive model car having a gasoline engine, two front wheels, two rear wheels, a center differential, a front different differential, a back differential, a front suspension system, a back suspension system, a front coupling, and a back coupling, comprising: a first transmission gear connected to and driven by the axle of said gasoline engine installed at the rear section of said model car; a first transmission axle; a parallel, second transmission gear at an end of said first transmission axle and engaged by said first transmission gear; a first bevel gear at the other end of said first transmission axle; a second bevel gear engaged by said first bevel gear and connected to said center differential; and a second transmission axle driven by said center differential running axially through said model car, the two ends of said second transmission axle driving said two front wheels and said two rear wheels, respectively, through said front and rear couplings, differentials, and suspension systems of said model car.

2. The four-wheel drive model car according to claim 1, wherein said first bevel gear and said second bevel gear are perpendicular.

3. The four-wheel drive model car according to claim 1, wherein said first transmission gear and said second transmission gear are engaged for speed reduction.

4. The four-wheel drive model car according to claim 1, wherein said center differential is located in the center of said model car.