US20180281889A1

US20180281889A1 - Balance vehicle and a control method for the same

Info

Publication number: US20180281889A1
Application number: US15/591,183
Authority: US
Inventors: Oliver Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-31
Filing date: 2017-05-10
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: CN107444557A; CN107444557B; WO2018177430A1; US11505274B2; US20200108885A1

Abstract

This disclosure discloses a balance vehicle, comprising: a wheel, a support frame, a frame, a shock suspension component, foot pegs, a control rod and a handle grip; the support frame is fixed to an axle of the wheel; the frame is connected with the support frame in a slide way through a sliding block fixed to the support frame; the shock suspension component is disposed between the frame and the support frame, and configured to buffer the relative movement between the frame and the support frame; the foot pegs are fixed on the frame; the control rod can move forward and backward in the driving direction, and is configured that: when a driver pushes the control rod forward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is accelerated; when the drive pulls the control rod backward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is decelerated or draws back.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201710206692.9 with a filing date of Mar. 31, 2017. The content of the aforementioned applications, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical vehicle, specially relates to a self-balance vehicle and a control method for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As the diversification of travel, there are more and more transports to meet the various travel demand. Electrical vehicle is popular with many people as it is environment-friendly and energy-saving. Traditional electrical vehicles always have a large shape, which are not convenient to bring on the bus or subway. Therefore, the further popularization of electrical vehicles is limited. Thus, an electrical vehicle, like a balance vehicle, with a small shape and high convenience can solve this problem. However, electrical vehicle in the existing technology mainly has some problems as below:
In the running process of the electrical balance vehicle, the driver can only keep balance by himself, which is easy to cause danger;
In the driving process of the electrical balance vehicle, the vehicle is accelerated by inclining forward and decelerated by inclining backward, which requires higher driving ability and is hard to handle.

SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION

In order to solve the problem in the existing technology, the objective of this invention is to provide a balance vehicle, which comprises: a wheel, a support frame, a frame, a shock suspension component, foot pegs, a control rod and a handle grip; the support frame is fixed to an axle of the wheel; the frame is connected with the support frame in a slide way through a sliding block which is fixed to the support frame, such that the frame is able to slide with respect to the support frame; the shock suspension component is disposed between the frame and the support frame, and configured to buffer the relative movement between the frame and the support frame; the foot pegs are fixed on the frame; the control rod can move forward and backward in the driving direction, and is configured that: when a driver pushes the control rod forward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is accelerated; when the drive pulls the control rod backward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is decelerated or draws back; and the handle grip is connected to the top of the control rod.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the frame and the support frame are constructed into an inverted U-shape, and
the sliding block is provided at the each side of the support frame in the width direction of the balance vehicle, the frame is provided with a stripe guide groove at each side in the width direction of the vehicle, such that the guiding block can slide in the guide groove at each side and the frame is able to slide with respect to the support frame.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, one end of the shock suspension component is fixed to a top lower surface of the inverted U shape frame, another end of the shock suspension component abuts on an upper surface of the inverted U shape support frame, such that under the action of the shock suspension component, the relative movement between the top of the inverted U shape support frame and the top of the inverted U shape support frame is buffered.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the foot pegs can be folded, and be configured that: when folded, the foot pegs abut the two side surfaces of the frame, such that, as viewed in the front view, the surface of each foot peg abuts the side surface of the frame.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the control rod is provided with a cavity therein, the cavity is provided with charging battery.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the support frame is made of SPPC.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the frame and the control rod are made of carbon fiber.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the balance vehicle further comprises at least a fender, the fender is fixed to the frame.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the control rod is provided with a display device on the top, the display device is configured to show the status of the balance vehicle including location, speed, connection state and electric quantity.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the control rod is provided with a front light on the upper front part and a rear light on the lower rear part.
In the balance vehicle of this disclosure, the balance vehicle further comprises a control unit, which comprises: a controller, a GPS module 204, a speed sensor configured to detect a speed of the balance vehicle; a balance sensor configured to detect whether the balance vehicle is in balance; and a communication module configured to communicate with outer smart terminal. The speed sensor, the balance sensor, the GPS module, and the communication module are electrically connected with the controller.
This disclosure also provides a control method for the balance vehicle, which comprises the steps:
S100, determining whether the balance vehicle is in use, if Yes, go to S101, if Not, go to S105;
S101, pushing a control rod forward to accelerate;
S102, pulling the control rod backward to decelerate or go backward;
S103, applying more force on a left foot peg to incline the wheel to the left, so as to make the balance vehicle turn left;
S104, applying more force on a right foot peg to incline the wheel to the right, so as to make the balance vehicle turn right;
S105, detecting whether the balance vehicle is in balance by a balance sensor, if Yes, keeping balance, if Not, controlling the balance vehicle to balance by a controller.
This disclosure also provides another control method for the balance vehicle, which comprises the steps:
S200, connecting with a smart terminal through a communication module;
S201, determining whether the balance vehicle is in use, if Yes, go to S202, if Not, go to S204;
S202, controlling the balance vehicle to go forward, to backward or slow down by the smart terminal:
S203, applying more force on a left foot peg to incline the wheel to the left, so as to make the balance vehicle turn left; or applying more force on a right foot peg to incline the wheel to the right, so as to make the balance vehicle turn right;
S204, detecting whether the balance vehicle is in balance through a balance sensor, if Yes, keeping balance, if Not, controlling the balance vehicle to balance by a controller.
The technical effect of the invention is as below: this invention achieves a auto-balance control through a balance sensor and a controller, so as to improve the safety when driving. Furthermore, the balance vehicle is controlled to go forward or backward through a control rod, which is easier to handle and safer than the control through the driver's self-balance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a stereo view of a balance vehicle in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the balance vehicle in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right view of the balance vehicle in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a structure diagram of a control module of the balance vehicle of an embodiment in the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a control method for a balance vehicle in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a control method for a balance vehicle in another embodiment of the present disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order to describe the technical solution, objectives and technical effects of the present disclosure more clearly, the below will describe companying with embodiments and figures. To be understood that, the embodiments described below are only used to explain, rather than limit this invention.
Though the steps in the present invention are arranged by the reference numbers, the reference numbers do not limit the precedence order of the step unless there is special description in the content, like definitely description of the order of the steps or description like one step being executed based on another step, otherwise the order of the steps is adjustable. To be understood that, the term “and/or” in the content means one or any possible combination from the associated listed items. The terms “front” and “rear” in the content refer to the front and rear of the driving direction of the vehicle.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, this disclosure provides an electrical balance vehicle, comprises a main body part and a control unit. The main body part comprises a wheel 101, a support frame 102, a frame 103, a shock suspension component 104 and two foot pegs 105.
Therein, the support frame 102 is fixed to the axle of the wheel 101. The support frame 101 is in an inverted U-shape. In another embodiment of the invention, the support frame 102 further comprises a first support frame and a second support frame which overlay with each other, so as to enhance the strength of the support frame. The support frame 102 is made of material with high strength. Preferably, the support frame 102 is made of SPPC.
The frame 103 is connected with the support frame 102 in a slide way through a sliding block 1021 fixed to the support frame 102, such that the frame 103 is able to slide with respect to the support frame 102. The frame 103 is also constructed into an inverted U-shape, and the frame 103 is provided with a stripe guide groove 1031 at each side in the width direction of the vehicle, such that the guiding block 1021 can slide in the guide groove 1031. The frame 103 is made of material with a lightweight and high strength, preferably, the frame 103 is made of carbon fiber.
The shock suspension component 104 is disposed between the frame 103 and the support frame 102, and configured to buffer the relative movement between the frame 103 and the support frame 102. In the present embodiment, one end of the shock suspension component 104 is fixed to a top lower surface of the inverted U shape frame 103, another end of the shock suspension component 104 abuts on the upper surface of the inverted U shape support frame 102, such that under the action of the shock suspension component 104, the relative movement between the top of the inverted U shape support frame 102 and the top of the inverted U shape support frame 103 is buffered.
The foot pegs 105 are fixed on the frame 103. In an embodiment of the invention, the foot pegs can be folded. When folded, the foot pegs abut the two side surfaces of the frame 103, such that, as viewed in the front view, the surface of the foot pegs 105 abut the side surface of the frame 103. The foot pegs 105 are set with an antiskid mechanism.
The main body part further comprises a control rod 106 and a handle grip 107. The control rod 106 can move forward and backward in the driving direction. When the driver pushes the control rod 106 forward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is accelerated. When the drive pulls the control rod 106 backward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is decelerated or draws back. The control rod 106 is made of material with a lightweight and high strength, in an embodiment of the invention, the control rod 106 is provided with a cavity therein, the cavity is provided with charging battery, which optimizes the space and minimizes the whole volume. The control rod 106 is provided with a display device 108 on the top and a front light 109 on the upper front part. A rear light 110 is set on the lower rear part of the control rod 106. The display device 108 is configured to show the status including location, speed, connection state and electric quantity.
The handle grip 107 is connected to the top of the control rod 106. The balance vehicle further comprises front and rear fenders 111, the front and rear fenders 111 are fixed to the frame 102. In the other embodiments of the invention, the balance vehicle can comprise no or only one fender.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit comprises a controller 201, a speed sensor 202, a balance sensor 203, a GPS module 204, and a communication module 205. The speed sensor 202, the balance sensor 203, the GPS module 204, and the communication module 205 are electrically connected with the controller 201.
The balance sensor 203 is configured to recognize whether the balance vehicle is in balance. In one embodiment of the invention, the balance sensor 203 is a gyroscope. The communication module 204 can be communicated with smart terminal, so as to send the running status of the balance vehicle to the smart terminal. The communication can be wire or wireless connection, preferably, can be Bluetooth, WIFI, or other wireless connection.
As shown in FIG. 5, the present invention further provides a control method for a balance vehicle, which comprises the following steps:
S100, determining whether the balance vehicle is in use, if Yes, go to S101, if Not, go to S105;
S101, pushing a control rod forward to accelerate;
S102, pulling the control rod backward to decelerate or go backward;
S103, applying more force on a left foot peg to incline the wheel to the left, so as to make the balance vehicle turn left;
S104, applying more force on a right foot peg to incline the wheel to the right, so as to make the balance vehicle turn right;
S105, detecting whether the balance vehicle is in balance through a balance sensor, if Yes, keeping balance, if Not, controlling the balance vehicle to balance by a controller.
As shown in FIG. 6, this invention further provides another control method for the balance vehicle, which comprises following steps:
S200, connecting with a smart terminal through a communication module;
The communication connection can be wire or wireless connection, preferably, Bluetooth, WiFi or other wireless connection.
S201, determining whether the balance vehicle is in use, if Yes, go to S202, if Not, go to S204;
S202, controlling the balance vehicle to go forward, to backward or slow down by the smart terminal;
S203, applying more force on a left foot peg to incline the wheel to the left, so as to make the balance vehicle turn left, or applying more force on a right foot peg to incline the wheel to the right, so as to make the balance vehicle turn right;
S204, detecting whether the balance vehicle is in balance through a balance sensor, if Yes, keeping balance, if Not, controlling the balance vehicle to balance by a controller.
The technical effect of the invention is as below: this invention achieves a auto-balance control through a balance sensor and a controller, so as to improve the safety when driving. Furthermore, the balance vehicle is controlled to go forward or backward through a control rod, which is easier to handle and safer than the control through the driver's self-balance.
To the skilled in the field, this invention is apparently not limited to the details in the above embodiments, and this invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and the base characterize of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be seen as samples, rather than to limit the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims as attached rather than the above description, therefore, any equivalent or transformation within the scope of the claims is included in the invention. The reference numbers in the claims should not be seen to limit the claims.
Otherwise, it is to be understood that, though the Description is described according to the embodiments, each embodiment may include more than one independent technical solution. This describing manner is only to clarify, the skilled in the field should consider the specification as an entirety. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be combined properly to obtain other embodiments which can be understood by the skilled in the field.

Claims

I claim:

1. A balance vehicle, comprising:

a wheel, a support frame, a frame, a shock suspension component, foot pegs, a control rod and a handle grip; wherein

the support frame is fixed to an axle of the wheel;

the frame is connected with the support frame in a slide way through a sliding block which is fixed to the support frame, such that the frame is able to slide with respect to the support frame;

the shock suspension component is disposed between the frame and the support frame, and configured to buffer the relative movement between the frame and the support frame;

the foot pegs are fixed on the frame;

the control rod can move forward and backward in the driving direction, and is configured that: when a driver pushes the control rod forward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is accelerated; when the drive pulls the control rod backward in the driving direction, the balance vehicle is decelerated or draws back; and

the handle grip is connected to the top of the control rod.

2. The balance vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the frame and the support frame are constructed into an inverted U-shape, and

the sliding block is provided at the each side of the support frame in the width direction of the balance vehicle, the frame is provided with a stripe guide groove at each side in the width direction of the vehicle, such that the guiding block can slide in the guide groove at each side and the frame is able to slide with respect to the support frame.

3. The balance vehicle of claim 2, wherein:

one end of the shock suspension component is fixed to a top lower surface of the inverted U shape frame, another end of the shock suspension component abuts on an upper surface of the inverted U shape support frame, such that under the action of the shock suspension component, the relative movement between the top of the inverted U shape support frame and the top of the inverted U shape support frame is buffered.

4. The balance vehicle of claim 3, wherein:

the foot pegs can be folded, and be configured that: when folded, the foot pegs abut the two side surfaces of the frame, such that, as viewed in the front view, the surface of each foot peg abuts the side surface of the frame.

5. The balance vehicle of claim 4, wherein:

the control rod is provided with a cavity therein, the cavity is provided with charging battery.

6. The balance vehicle of claim 5, wherein:

the support frame is made of SPPC.

7. The balance vehicle of claim 6, wherein:

the frame and the control rod are made of carbon fiber.

8. The balance vehicle of claim 7, wherein:

the balance vehicle further comprises at least a fender, the fender is fixed to the frame.

9. The balance vehicle of claim 8, wherein:

the control rod is provided with a display device on the top, the display device is configured to show the status of the balance vehicle including location, speed, connection state and electric quantity.

10. The balance vehicle of claim 9, wherein:

the control rod is provided with a front light on the upper front part and a rear light on the lower rear part.

11. The balance vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the balance vehicle further comprises a control unit, which comprises:

a controller, a GPS module,

a speed sensor configured to detect a speed of the balance vehicle;

a balance sensor configured to detect whether the balance vehicle is in balance; and

a communication module configured to communicate with outer smart terminal;

wherein, the speed sensor, the balance sensor, the GPS module, and the communication module are electrically connected with the controller.

12. A control method for the balance vehicle of claim 11, comprising the steps:

S100, determining whether the balance vehicle is in use, if Yes, go to S101, if Not, go to S105;

S101, pushing a control rod forward to accelerate;

S102, pulling the control rod backward to decelerate or go backward;

S103, applying more force on a left foot peg to incline the wheel to the left, so as to make the balance vehicle turn left;

S104, applying more force on a right foot peg to incline the wheel to the right, so as to make the balance vehicle turn right;

S105, detecting whether the balance vehicle is in balance by a balance sensor, if Yes, keeping balance, if Not, controlling the balance vehicle to balance by a controller.

13. A control method for the balance vehicle of claim 11, comprising the steps:

S200, connecting with a smart terminal through a communication module;

S201, determining whether the balance vehicle is in use, if Yes, go to S202, if Not, go to S204;

S202, controlling the balance vehicle to go forward, to backward or slow down by the smart terminal;

S203, applying more force on a left foot peg to incline the wheel to the left, so as to make the balance vehicle turn left; or applying more force on a right foot peg to incline the wheel to the right, so as to make the balance vehicle turn right;

S204, detecting whether the balance vehicle is in balance through a balance sensor, if Yes, keeping balance, if Not, controlling the balance vehicle to balance by a controller.