WO2019141338A1 - Electric unicycle optimized for no learning step, maneuverability, obstacle clearance, compactness, safety and structural robustness - Google Patents

Electric unicycle optimized for no learning step, maneuverability, obstacle clearance, compactness, safety and structural robustness Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019141338A1
WO2019141338A1 PCT/EP2018/000583 EP2018000583W WO2019141338A1 WO 2019141338 A1 WO2019141338 A1 WO 2019141338A1 EP 2018000583 W EP2018000583 W EP 2018000583W WO 2019141338 A1 WO2019141338 A1 WO 2019141338A1
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Prior art keywords
wheel
footrest
footrests
battery
optimized
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PCT/EP2018/000583
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French (fr)
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WO2019141338A9 (en
Inventor
Jannick Jacques SIMERAY
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Simeray Jannick Jacques
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Publication of WO2019141338A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019141338A1/en
Publication of WO2019141338A9 publication Critical patent/WO2019141338A9/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K11/00—Motorcycles, engine-assisted cycles or motor scooters with one or two wheels
    • B62K11/007—Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K1/00—Unicycles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K11/00—Motorcycles, engine-assisted cycles or motor scooters with one or two wheels

Definitions

  • the invention relates to combined improvements of the electric unicycle intended to facilitate learning, to increase its crossing power, to facilitate its carriage, to enhance its structural strength and to improve its safety for the user as well as for the public around.
  • Kamen’s US 6302230 Figure 1 1 is the first representation of a stabilized electric unicycle, ridden by a user obviously concerned about the precariousness of its balance.
  • the tire is not represented with a wide profile, the man skilled in the art would select it with a rectangular profile for achieving lateral balance, and therefore it won’t be very maneuverable. Otherwise it is impossible to maintain a balance at stop and therefore to start. If finally ridding this large tire difficult to steer would oppose the necessary adjustments of trajectories for keeping balanced at low and hig h speed.
  • Kamen also represents the wheel surrounded by the platform footrest.
  • the platform includes battery and electronic, however the front side of the platform appears sharp and may hurt anyone accidentally on the path as well as the user himself when he falls.
  • Simeray's US861631 3 illustrates how to ride a unicycle and to control the trajectory by levering lateral support on the side of the mudguard’s structure.
  • a folding guide shown unfolded and folded Once unfolded this guide also makes possible to transmit a significant longitudinal acceleration or deceleration torque to the leg compensating an overhang of the footrests, otherwise folded it transmits a limited longitudinal acceleration or deceleration torque.
  • WO201 5121 754 of S imeray illustrates an electric unicycle whose mass distribution the shape of the tire and or the use of a flywheel optimize the lateral and longitudinal stability.
  • This patent replaces the folding guide support with a cushion pretended less dangerous because it is shorter than the Simeray guide, while
  • Unfolding or folding it is the decision of the user, when unfolded it can transmit significant longitudinal and lateral torque generated by stabilized wheels of great power and large diameter operated in countryside, folded it is suitable for any small or i ntermediate diameter wheel even of high power.
  • inventiveness A candid review operating on a very low level of inventiveness would be beneficial to both the inventor and the public. The average level of the man skilled in this art seems established sufficiently low by the previous prosecution cited , this level triggers the reference for inventiveness or obviousness examination.
  • the invention aims to improve the electric unicycle and its access to more users. It aims instantaneous operations without prior learning and the democratization of the electric unicycle.
  • the invention is challenging this established quality criterion and therefore is not accessible to the one with average skill in the art.
  • the invention not only challenges this criterion but also offsets the consequence to turn it into an advantage: the spherical or oval shaped tire according to the invention makes possible to climb sidewalks laterally and to roll over the obstacles.
  • Stepping on the footrest resting on the ground and simultaneously exercising the stabilization results from the invention because for example: - the contact of the footrest on the ground is significantly punctual, it then constitutes in this example the center of gyration of the wheel and a pivot-ball joint,
  • the lower surface of the footrest resting on the ground is convex with a large radius of curvature, which allows a relative stability forward backward without relying to electrical stabilization, as an alternative to the convex surface, a low friction contact zone achieves the function of center of gyration.
  • the wheel and its mudguard do not completely mask the plumb of said footrest which allows to put and hold the foot on it.
  • the unicycle steers around the vertical axis passing by the contact point and causes a balanced position canceling its longitudinal frontward backward tilt.
  • This steering is caused and experienced by the user by means of minor tilts before rear of the two footrests.
  • the user thus controls and experiments the longitudinal balance while still supported by the ground, and gains confidence.
  • the leg can but does not need to touch the short and optional mudguard 52.
  • the footrests can be foldable, or fixed , or pivotable with a min imum angle for the detection of a foot on it by means of an electric switch .
  • This invention differs from Kamen not only by the significant width of the tire and the large radi us of curvature of its profile, but also by the fact that the lateral contact of the footrest, for exam ple non-folding on the ground , constitutes a tilt and gyration pivot and around a vertical axis, li ke a rotula.
  • the ground contact segment of Kamen prevents the footrest-platform to tilt forward backward , it thus prevents the operation the electrical stabilization .
  • the beginner of Kamen cannot therefore practice stabilizing with a footrest whose tilti ng and the rotation around the foot are both mechanically blocked. Once the forward backward stabilization is activated, the lateral balance remains de main issue until enough speed is reached. The beginner never reaches enough speed then.
  • the wheel there is no rigid part surrounding the wheel.
  • the wheel is exposed as a protective rubber bumper from every perspective which is safe for the user as well as for the public the user may bump accidentally on his way.
  • Even the footrest may be enveloped by soft material so the whole self-balanced wheel according the i nvention may expose no rigid and no sharp shape which optim izes the safety.
  • Figures 1 to 3 describe in different views the four uses of said invention.
  • Figure 4 the contact of the footrest on the floor
  • fig 5 the several components of an example of implementation
  • fig 6 exposes the components of an exam ple of implementation.
  • the wheel can be carried according to the representation, oriented at 90 ° , with a handle integrated in the footrest.
  • Stepping on the wheel according to the invention consists in placing the first foot on the footrest then touches the ground.
  • the wheel remai ns stationary and does not start, but the ground su pport is significantly stable.
  • the wheel 41 has a shape facilitating the lateral balance, because a small lateral leaning causes a large lateral displacement of the contact point on the ground.
  • the wheel’s rolling path shape is oval with its longer axe the wheel’s one.
  • a sphere is a kind of oval with any axis being the longer).
  • a spherical or substantially oval shape of the tire converges into a conical shape 53 whose apex is substantially the ground
  • This vertex 43 is the center of gyration of the wheel laterally inclined.
  • supports 52 allow the user to tighten the wheel and therefore better control it, those supports can be foam, rubber, fabric or metal, foldable or fixed.
  • a comfortable elastic support with high coefficient of friction is convenient so that when jumping a sidewalk or sidewalk side pressure exerted by the feet is enough to lead and guide the wheel.
  • the handles 51 are integrated in said footrests 42 so the wheel is hanging Fig 1 A. Said handles may also result from the extension of the supports 52.
  • the substantially spherical or oval rolling surface 41 optionally extended by a conical zone 53 is an envelope of elastic material, a natural or artificial rubber made for example in two- part and having a high coefficient of friction.
  • FIG. 6 references many species necessary for producing an wheel’s example, and whose assembly is in accordance with the state of the art, in particular hoverboards, and includes at least: a motor 67, for example without a brush, of the type with a rotating outer cage fitted on hoverboards,
  • the electric un icycle as shown is enjoyable by the beginner who can exercise the stabilization wh ile still standing on the ground, it is very stable laterally d ue to the very large radius of curvature of the wheel(s profile, it can go down a sidewalk without escaping its user by means of g rip on the supports 52, it can accompany the user by jum ping on a sidewalk with the same grip, it can approach a sidewalk and benefit the large radius of lateral curvature to climb it gradually, finally it allows the user to feel the pleasure of skiing with the security of being able to resume firm support on the ground at any time.
  • an obstacle of bias which causes two antagonistic effects: it slows one side so the u nicycle turns on the slow side, raises this side so it turns the u nicycle on the opposite side, the unicycle immediately recovers its initial trajectory.
  • the wheel is configured so that the plumb of the footrest remains accessible, and not com pletely hidden by a wheel of a too large a diameter.
  • the co n ical zone 53 is optional.
  • the unicycle is balanced at rest, its center of gravity is located below its geometric center, the axis connecting the footrest is horizontal , the footrests are horizontal in the front- back direction when balancing and at rest.
  • the footrest is foldable or non-foldable.
  • a lateral support is optional and can be foldable.
  • One footrest at least includes a handle. When one footrest rests on the floor its plomb is clear.
  • the rolling shaft is the only mechanical connection between the two footrests, directly or via a pivot. No part is surroundi ng the wheel in a plan perpendicular to the shaft, the footrest may be enveloped by rubber, so bumping is safe, a switch and or footrest pivot may trigger the balance , as well as an accelerometer or inclinometer. Before the balance is triggered the wheel may be in brake mode.
  • This therefore describes an opti mized electric unicycle comprising a wheel and its shaft, at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabi lization electronics, two footrests,
  • the wheel’s rolling path’s shape is spherical or elliptic or oval with its longer axe coincident with the wheel’s axe.
  • the means for facilitating starting is the convexity of the underside of the footrest supported by the ground.
  • the wheel is in brake mode after power switch on, it stabilizes when returning to lateral balance after the footrest has touched the floor,
  • the means for facilitating starting is a pressure switch switching on or off the self-balancing operation according to the position of the footrest connected by pivot to the shaft.
  • any protruding surface such to include the whole wheel’s rolling path and or the footrest perimeter are exposed to bump and made of a soft material implementing an elastic bumper and or

Abstract

Electric unicycle whose footrests constitute a landing gear, whose plumb remains unobstructed even when they are in support on the ground and which are separated by an oblong wheel turning around a substantially horizontal axis who joins them. The footrests have handles to carry the unicycle hanged by a footrest, the axis that joins them then being vertical.

Description

Electric unicycle optim ized for no learning step, maneuverability, obstacle clearance, com pactness, safety and structural robustness.
The invention relates to combined improvements of the electric unicycle intended to facilitate learning, to increase its crossing power, to facilitate its carriage, to enhance its structural strength and to improve its safety for the user as well as for the public around.
Kamen’s US 6302230 Figure 1 1 is the first representation of a stabilized electric unicycle, ridden by a user obviously worried about the precariousness of its balance. One guesses but it is not explicit, that the user starts standing a foot on the board resting on the ground along a contact’s line. Then by levering the other foot on the other side of the board , the user establishes or attempts a lateral balance. Although the tire is not represented with a wide profile, the man skilled in the art would select it with a rectangular profile for achieving lateral balance, and therefore it won’t be very maneuverable. Otherwise it is impossible to maintain a balance at stop and therefore to start. If finally ridding this large tire difficult to steer would oppose the necessary adjustments of trajectories for keeping balanced at low and hig h speed.
Kamen also represents the wheel surrounded by the platform footrest. One guess that the platform includes battery and electronic, however the front side of the platform appears sharp and may hurt anyone accidentally on the path as well as the user himself when he falls.
Figure imgf000003_0001
Simeray's US861631 3 illustrates how to ride a unicycle and to control the trajectory by levering lateral support on the side of the mudguard’s structure. As an example of possible support, a folding guide shown unfolded and folded Once unfolded, this guide also makes possible to transmit a significant longitudinal acceleration or deceleration torque to the leg compensating an overhang of the footrests, otherwise folded it transmits a limited longitudinal acceleration or deceleration torque.
WO201 5121 754 of S imeray illustrates an electric unicycle whose mass distribution the shape of the tire and or the use of a flywheel optimize the lateral and longitudinal stability.
I nventist, Shane Chen licensed in 201 1 by Si meray US861631 3 was the first man of the art commercially operating the i nvention. Then Chen filed and got the patent US8807250.
This patent replaces the folding guide support with a cushion pretended less dangerous because it is shorter than the Simeray guide, while
- Said guide Simeray is represented Figu re 2 folded, Figure 6 it is unfolded but shorter than the footrest.
- Unfolding or folding it is the decision of the user, when unfolded it can transmit significant longitudinal and lateral torque generated by stabilized wheels of great power and large diameter operated in countryside, folded it is suitable for any small or i ntermediate diameter wheel even of high power.
Figure imgf000004_0001
- The alleged dangerousness is treated sovereignly by the man of the art who selects proportions and materials for the safety of the user, without imagination , fi nally - Using the wheel does not i mpose that the guide su pport is unfolded , it is mentioned the opposite in the description .
In this context a person skilled i n the art who is operating the invention under license, files an equivalent utility patent finally approved that solves no real problem and therefore has no utility.
Would the person skilled in the art ignore how to perform a safe guide support, would the end user fail to fold a guide if dangerous when unfolded, or to leave it folded as it is the default position?
Comparable claims granted by the USPTO successively to its inventor and its licensee allows both to prohibit any third party but also mutually themselves from operating the invention. This is against public’s interest.
A candid review operating on a very low level of inventiveness would be beneficial to both the inventor and the public. The average level of the man skilled in this art seems established sufficiently low by the previous prosecution cited , this level triggers the reference for inventiveness or obviousness examination. The invention aims to improve the electric unicycle and its access to more users. It aims instantaneous operations without prior learning and the democratization of the electric unicycle.
Figure imgf000005_0001
Beg inners of the unicycle and the hoverboard wish to exercise and experience the electric stabilization by remaining supported by the ground, to gradually gain confidence, then to rise gradually with the possibility of recovering a firm support at any time. Beginners dream of a stabilized wheel with a landing gear. They want the lateral balance to be provided at a standstill, at low speed and at cruising speed, without learning step.
They want to stand first foot on a footrest resting on the ground and test the stabilization before to attempt the lateral balance, which is paradoxical because the stabilization can only be achieves after the lateral balance. The invention is the resolution of this paradox. There is no such solution with the stabilized wheel of cu rrent shape SI MERAY US8616313: when the foot is supported by the footrest, the leg rests on the side to leverage. When a footrest touches the ground, the wheel is inclined by about 30° and overhangs said footrest, so the foot can’t remain on said footrest. This leaning angle of 30° is a quality criterion established and claimed by all manufacturers for obstacle clearance.
The invention is challenging this established quality criterion and therefore is not accessible to the one with average skill in the art.
The invention not only challenges this criterion but also offsets the consequence to turn it into an advantage: the spherical or oval shaped tire according to the invention makes possible to climb sidewalks laterally and to roll over the obstacles.
Figure imgf000006_0001
Stepping on the footrest resting on the ground and simultaneously exercising the stabilization results from the invention because for example: - the contact of the footrest on the ground is significantly punctual, it then constitutes in this example the center of gyration of the wheel and a pivot-ball joint,
the lower surface of the footrest resting on the ground is convex with a large radius of curvature, which allows a relative stability forward backward without relying to electrical stabilization, as an alternative to the convex surface, a low friction contact zone achieves the function of center of gyration. - The wheel and its mudguard do not completely mask the plumb of said footrest which allows to put and hold the foot on it.
- Making lever on the other footrest with the other foot engages the stabilization and establishes a balance despite the first footrest still rests on the ground, the wheel then steers around this firm point of support.
As soon as the stabilization is triggered by the detection of presence of the other foot on the other footrest, or activated by a lateral accelerometer, the unicycle steers around the vertical axis passing by the contact point and causes a balanced position canceling its longitudinal frontward backward tilt.
This steering is caused and experienced by the user by means of minor tilts before rear of the two footrests.
The user thus controls and experiments the longitudinal balance while still supported by the ground, and gains confidence.
Figure imgf000007_0001
The leg can but does not need to touch the short and optional mudguard 52. The footrests can be foldable, or fixed , or pivotable with a min imum angle for the detection of a foot on it by means of an electric switch .
This invention differs from Kamen not only by the significant width of the tire and the large radi us of curvature of its profile, but also by the fact that the lateral contact of the footrest, for exam ple non-folding on the ground , constitutes a tilt and gyration pivot and around a vertical axis, li ke a rotula. The ground contact segment of Kamen prevents the footrest-platform to tilt forward backward , it thus prevents the operation the electrical stabilization . The beginner of Kamen cannot therefore practice stabilizing with a footrest whose tilti ng and the rotation around the foot are both mechanically blocked. Once the forward backward stabilization is activated, the lateral balance remains de main issue until enough speed is reached. The beginner never reaches enough speed then.
According to the invention, there is no rigid part surrounding the wheel. The wheel is exposed as a protective rubber bumper from every perspective which is safe for the user as well as for the public the user may bump accidentally on his way. Even the footrest may be enveloped by soft material so the whole self-balanced wheel according the i nvention may expose no rigid and no sharp shape which optim izes the safety.
Figures 1 to 3 describe in different views the four uses of said invention. Figure 4 the contact of the footrest on the floor,
Figure imgf000008_0001
fig 5 the several components of an example of implementation, fig 6 exposes the components of an exam ple of implementation. A) The wheel can be carried according to the representation, oriented at 90 ° , with a handle integrated in the footrest.
B) Stepping on the wheel according to the invention consists in placing the first foot on the footrest then touches the ground. The wheel remai ns stationary and does not start, but the ground su pport is significantly stable.
C) The stabilization of the wheel starts according to the invention when the second foot presses on the second footrest, and the motor seeks to cancel the longitudinal tilt of the two footrests, when they are in fact laterally inclined. The wheel then steers around the footrest on the g round. D) The beginner dares to balance laterally, can find the support on the ground instantly or move on.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the wheel 41 has a shape facilitating the lateral balance, because a small lateral leaning causes a large lateral displacement of the contact point on the ground.
According to the invention the wheel’s rolling path shape is oval with its longer axe the wheel’s one. (A sphere is a kind of oval with any axis being the longer).
According to an example of em bodiment of the invention a spherical or substantially oval shape of the tire converges into a conical shape 53 whose apex is substantially the ground
Figure imgf000009_0001
support zone 43 of the footrest 42. This vertex 43 is the center of gyration of the wheel laterally inclined.
According to a non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, supports 52 allow the user to tighten the wheel and therefore better control it, those supports can be foam, rubber, fabric or metal, foldable or fixed.
A comfortable elastic support with high coefficient of friction is convenient so that when jumping a sidewalk or sidewalk side pressure exerted by the feet is enough to lead and guide the wheel.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handles 51 are integrated in said footrests 42 so the wheel is hanging Fig 1 A. Said handles may also result from the extension of the supports 52.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the substantially spherical or oval rolling surface 41 optionally extended by a conical zone 53, is an envelope of elastic material, a natural or artificial rubber made for example in two- part and having a high coefficient of friction.
FIG. 6 references many species necessary for producing an wheel’s example, and whose assembly is in accordance with the state of the art, in particular hoverboards, and includes at least: a motor 67, for example without a brush, of the type with a rotating outer cage fitted on hoverboards,
- or more motors in a rotating cage
- at least one battery pack 66
Figure imgf000010_0001
at least one non-rotating motor shaft 68 to which said battery pack is attached ,
at least one rotating envelope 61
a tire 41 made in one or two parts,
at least two ball bearings 63,
at least two structures 64 connected to the axis 68 capable of transmitting couples to
two half-shells 61 and 62 of the footrest 42 and finally locations 71 for contact switches placed opposite said structure 64 and said switches
- a pivot guide 73
a guide in translation on the travel of the contact switch
Figure imgf000010_0002
Thus the electric un icycle as shown is enjoyable by the beginner who can exercise the stabilization wh ile still standing on the ground, it is very stable laterally d ue to the very large radius of curvature of the wheel(s profile, it can go down a sidewalk without escaping its user by means of g rip on the supports 52, it can accompany the user by jum ping on a sidewalk with the same grip, it can approach a sidewalk and benefit the large radius of lateral curvature to climb it gradually, finally it allows the user to feel the pleasure of skiing with the security of being able to resume firm support on the ground at any time. After encountering an obstacle of bias which causes two antagonistic effects: it slows one side so the u nicycle turns on the slow side, raises this side so it turns the u nicycle on the opposite side, the unicycle immediately recovers its initial trajectory.
The wheel is configured so that the plumb of the footrest remains accessible, and not com pletely hidden by a wheel of a too large a diameter.
Figure imgf000011_0001
The co n ical zone 53 is optional.
The unicycle is balanced at rest, its center of gravity is located below its geometric center, the axis connecting the footrest is horizontal , the footrests are horizontal in the front- back direction when balancing and at rest.
The wheel’s rolling path shape his spherical of oval or elliptic, in last cases the longer axe is the rolling axe. It may present conical lateral sections . The footrest is foldable or non-foldable. A lateral support is optional and can be foldable. One footrest at least includes a handle. When one footrest rests on the floor its plomb is clear. The rolling shaft is the only mechanical connection between the two footrests, directly or via a pivot. No part is surroundi ng the wheel in a plan perpendicular to the shaft, the footrest may be enveloped by rubber, so bumping is safe, a switch and or footrest pivot may trigger the balance , as well as an accelerometer or inclinometer. Before the balance is triggered the wheel may be in brake mode.
This therefore describes an opti mized electric unicycle comprising a wheel and its shaft, at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabi lization electronics, two footrests,
characterized in that it comprises:
- a means to facilitate starting
- a means to ensure the lateral balance at a standstill
- a rigid or pivotal mechanical connection between each footrest and the shaft
- at least one handle in one of the footrests
- a clear plumb over a footrest resting on the floor
- only soft material exposed to any accidental bump characterized in that a small lateral leaning causes a large lateral displacement of the contact point on the ground thanks to the curvature radius of the wheel’s profile superior or equal to the wheel’s radius anywhere on the rolling path.
characterized in that the wheel’s rolling path’s shape is spherical or elliptic or oval with its longer axe coincident with the wheel’s axe.
characterized in that the means for facilitating starting is the convexity of the underside of the footrest supported by the ground.
characterized in that this means for facilitating starting is a procedure:
the wheel is in brake mode after power switch on, it stabilizes when returning to lateral balance after the footrest has touched the floor,
it returns to brake mode after the footrest has touched the floor around zero speed
thanks to the motor’s wires connected together in brake mode, then connected to the driver in balance mode, the balance and brake mode resulting from the process of an inclinometer or accelerometer’s signal combined to the speed. characterized in that the means for facilitating starting is a pressure switch switching on or off the self-balancing operation according to the position of the footrest connected by pivot to the shaft.
characterized by its safety thanks to
- any protruding surface such to include the whole wheel’s rolling path and or the footrest perimeter are exposed to bump and made of a soft material implementing an elastic bumper and or
- no part around the wheel’s rolling path.
This invention may be denigrated but denigrating it is not necessarily inventive. The scope of the claimed protection
Figure imgf000013_0001
includes all possible and imaginable variants of its realization as summarized in the letter but also in the spirit of the claims.
This therefore also includes degraded embodiments, for example at lower cost, lower quality, simplified, and complicated modes whose complications are not strictly necessary for the function performed but rather of a cosmetic nature.

Claims

Figure imgf000014_0001
Claims.
1 ) An optimized electric unicycle comprising a wheel and its shaft, at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabilization electronics, two footrests,
characterized in that it comprises:
- a means to facilitate starting
- a means to ensure the lateral balance at a standstill
- a rigid or pivotal mechanical connection between each footrest and the shaft
- at least one handle in one of the footrests
- a clear plumb over a footrest resting on the floor
- only soft material exposed to any accidental bump
2) An optimized electric unicycle comprising a wheel, its shaft at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabilization electronics, two footrests according to claim 1 , characterized in that a small lateral leaning causes a large lateral displacement of the contact point on the ground thanks to the curvature radius of the wheel’s profile superior or equal to the wheel's radius anywhere on the rolling path.
3) An optimized electric unicycle comprising a wheel, its shaft at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabilization electronics, two footrests according to claim 2, characterized in that the wheel’s rolling path’s shape is spherical or elliptic or oval with its longer axe coincident with the wheel’s axe.
4) An optimized electric unicycle comprising a wheel, at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabilization electronics, two footrests according to claim 1 , characterized in that the means for facilitating starting is the convexity of the underside of the footrest supported by the ground.
Figure imgf000015_0001
5) An optimized electric unicycle comprising a wheel, at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabilization electronics, two footrests according to claim 1, characterized in that this means for facilitating starting is a procedure:
the wheel is in brake mode after power switch on, it stabilizes when returning to lateral balance after the footrest has touched the floor,
it returns to brake mode after the footrest has touched the floor around zero speed
thanks to the motor’s wires connected together in brake mode, then connected to the driver in balance mode, the balance and brake mode resulting from the process of an inclinometer or accelerometer’s signal combined to the speed.
6) An optimized electric unicycle comprising a wheel, at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabilization electronics, two footrests according to claim 1 characterized in that the means for facilitating starting is a pressure switch switching on or off the self-balancing operation according to the position of the footrest connected by pivot to the shaft.
7) An optimized electric unicycle comprising a wheel, at least one electric motor, a battery and a longitudinal stabilization electronics, two footrests according to claim 1 characterized by its safety thanks to
- any protruding surface such to include the whole wheel’s rolling path and or the footrest perimeter are exposed to bump and made of a soft material implementing an elastic bumper and or
- no part around the wheel’s rolling path.
PCT/EP2018/000583 2018-01-01 2018-12-30 Electric unicycle optimized for no learning step, maneuverability, obstacle clearance, compactness, safety and structural robustness WO2019141338A1 (en)

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FR1800002A FR3076276A1 (en) 2018-01-01 2018-01-01 ELECTRICAL MONOCYCLE OPTIMIZED FOR LEARNING, MANEUVERABILITY, OBSTACLE BREAK, COMPACTNESS AND STRUCTURAL STRENGTH
FRFR201800002 2018-01-02

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6302230B1 (en) 1999-06-04 2001-10-16 Deka Products Limited Partnership Personal mobility vehicles and methods
US20010032743A1 (en) * 1993-02-24 2001-10-25 Kamen Dean L. Personal mobility vehicles and methods
US8616313B2 (en) 2005-11-25 2013-12-31 Marc Simeray Motorized transport vehicle for a pedestrian
US8807250B2 (en) 2010-03-09 2014-08-19 Shane Chen Powered single-wheeled self-balancing vehicle for standing user
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