US20200282295A1 - Auto-balancing device with longitudinally disposed and movable platform sections - Google Patents
Auto-balancing device with longitudinally disposed and movable platform sections Download PDFInfo
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- US20200282295A1 US20200282295A1 US16/739,085 US202016739085A US2020282295A1 US 20200282295 A1 US20200282295 A1 US 20200282295A1 US 202016739085 A US202016739085 A US 202016739085A US 2020282295 A1 US2020282295 A1 US 2020282295A1
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- 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
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C17/00—Roller skates; Skate-boards
- A63C17/01—Skateboards
- A63C17/014—Wheel arrangements
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C17/00—Roller skates; Skate-boards
- A63C17/12—Roller skates; Skate-boards with driving mechanisms
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
- B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
- B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
- B60L50/66—Arrangements of batteries
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J43/00—Arrangements of batteries
- B62J43/10—Arrangements of batteries for propulsion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J43/00—Arrangements of batteries
- B62J43/10—Arrangements of batteries for propulsion
- B62J43/16—Arrangements of batteries for propulsion on motorcycles or the like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J43/00—Arrangements of batteries
- B62J43/20—Arrangements of batteries characterised by the mounting
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J43/00—Arrangements of batteries
- B62J43/20—Arrangements of batteries characterised by the mounting
- B62J43/28—Arrangements of batteries characterised by the mounting hidden within the cycle frame
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J45/00—Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for
- B62J45/40—Sensor arrangements; Mounting thereof
- B62J45/41—Sensor arrangements; Mounting thereof characterised by the type of sensor
- B62J45/415—Inclination sensors
- B62J45/4151—Inclination sensors for sensing lateral inclination of the cycle
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
- B62M7/00—Motorcycles characterised by position of motor or engine
- B62M7/12—Motorcycles characterised by position of motor or engine with the engine beside or within the driven wheel
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
- A63C2203/12—Electrically powered or heated
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
- A63C2203/18—Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
- A63C2203/24—Processing or storing data, e.g. with electronic chip
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
- A63C2203/40—Runner or deck of boards articulated between both feet
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
- A63C2203/42—Details of chassis of ice or roller skates, of decks of skateboards
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
- B60L2200/16—Single-axle vehicles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
- B60L2200/24—Personal mobility vehicles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
- B60L2240/10—Vehicle control parameters
- B60L2240/22—Yaw angle
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2260/00—Operating Modes
- B60L2260/20—Drive modes; Transition between modes
- B60L2260/34—Stabilising upright position of vehicles, e.g. of single axle vehicles
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
Definitions
- the prior art includes several auto-balancing transport devices. These include the Segway, developed by Kamen et al and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,230 (among others), the Solowheel, by Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,250) and Hovertrax, also by Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 8,738,278).
- the prior art also includes the Hovershoe, disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/338,387. These three patents and the Hovershoe application are hereby incorporated by reference as though disclosed in their entirety herein.
- U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,817 issued to Doerksen, for a Self-Stabilizing Skateboard, discloses an auto-balancing device that may be ridden while standing sideways.
- This device (and others like it) is disadvantageous in several aspects. One is that it is difficult to turn. There is a singular wide, flat wheel, and this wheel structure makes turning very slow or gradual. Other disadvantageous aspects include that the exposed wheel is dangerous, throws rain water, and restricts foot movement.
- FIGS. 1-2 are bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of one embodiment of a transportation device in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 3-4 illustrate another embodiment of an auto-balancing device with a longitudinally disposed platform 115 in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 5-6 illustrate yet another embodiment of an auto-balancing device with a longitudinally disposed platform in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an auto-balancing device in accordance with the present invention in which the drive wheels extend through the platform.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 bottom and top perspective views of a first embodiment of a transportation device 10 in accordance with the present invention are respectively shown.
- Device 10 preferably includes a longitudinally disposed foot platform 15 that has two foot platform sections 21 , 22 , one located on each lateral side of the platform. Below each platform section is an auto-balancing foot platform unit or module (herein “FPU”) 30 , 50 .
- FPU auto-balancing foot platform unit or module
- FIG. 1 platform section 21 is coupled to FPU 30 and platform section 22 is coupled to FPU 50 .
- Each FPU preferably has a drive wheel 31 , 51 and an associated motor 32 , 52 .
- the motor may be a hub motor or other motor arrangement.
- Each FPU also preferably has a control circuit 34 , 54 , a position sensor (such as a fore-aft tilt angle sensor or gyroscopic sensor or other sensor) 35 , 55 , and a battery 36 , 56 .
- the sensor for a given FPU may be provided with the associated platform section. Regardless, the sensors are preferably configured to sense the fore-aft tilt angle of their foot platform section.
- FPUs 30 , 50 are preferably configured such that the control circuit drives the drive wheel 31 , 51 towards auto-balancing the FPU based on data from the sensor 35 , 55 .
- Auto-balancing arrangements including those for use in an FPU, are known in the art.
- FPUs 30 , 50 are preferably coupled to one another such that the drive wheels have a common axis of rotation, though they may be otherwise arranged without departing from the present invention.
- Foot platform sections 21 , 22 each have a front end A, a rear end B, and a connecting member C therebetween.
- the end portions may be referred to as subsections, such as 21 A, 22 A in the front and 21 B, 22 B in the rear, and the connecting members as 21 C, 22 C.
- a rider would typically stand with a foot on subsections 21 A, 22 A and the other on subsections 21 B, 22 B. By switching weight from heel to ball on their feet, and vice versa, the rider can change the tilt of the connecting member 21 C, 22 C relative to one another and thus achieve turning.
- connecting member 22 C is tilted forward by 1 degree and connecting member 21 C is tilted forward by 5 degrees, then there is a 4 degree differential between the connecting members and wheel 31 is driven faster than wheel 51 , turning device 10 to the right.
- longitudinal end is the front or rear may be arbitrary as a rider may mount from either direction (though the device may be made with a dedicated front and rear).
- the present invention is able to achieve much more responsive turning than available in prior art devices. Further, it is achieved in a manner that is intuitive to a rider, which makes learning to ride easier, and increases the potential uses of the device—commuting, recreation, games and competitions, etc.
- the platform has a greater longitudinal dimension than lateral dimension. This may be simply longer than wide, or 1.5 ⁇ longer, or 2 ⁇ longer or 2.5 ⁇ longer than wide, or more.
- FIGS. 3-4 another embodiment of an auto-balancing device 110 with a longitudinally disposed platform 115 in accordance with the present invention is shown.
- Device 110 is similar to device 10 and similar components may have the same reference numerals in the tens and ones digits.
- One difference is that while platform 15 of device 10 is two physically separate items, i.e., not directly connected, the two platform sections 121 , 122 of platform 115 are coupled by a flexible membrane 140 .
- the membrane is preferably coupled to the platform sections in such a way as to give the feel of one contiguous platform surface yet afford sufficient flexibility such that the platform sections can move in fore-aft tilt relative to one another.
- the membrane may be made of latex rubber or flexible plastic or other suitable material.
- each platform section 121 , 122 has a front subsection 121 A, 122 A, a rear subsection 121 B, 122 B, and a connecting member 121 C, 122 C therebetween.
- FIG. 4 illustrates one potential assembly technique for device 110 .
- Arrow A indicates the platform being mounted to FPUs 130 , 150 .
- Platform 115 may be screwed to the FPUs or otherwise fastened. Coupling techniques for joining the FPUs are known in the art.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 yet another embodiment of an auto-balancing device 210 with a longitudinally disposed platform 215 in accordance with the present invention is shown.
- Device 210 includes a contiguous or one piece platform 215 , albeit preferably with a longitudinally disposed hole 271 in it to enhance twisting.
- Platform 215 preferably has subsections 221 A, 222 A up front, subsections 221 B, 222 B in the rear, and connecting members 221 C, 222 C therebetween.
- FIG. 6 illustrates where a rider might stand. For example, one foot 5 at the front and one foot 6 at the rear. It can be seen that each foot touches a pair of subsections. As a rider leans forward or rearward (in the line of direction of travel) the device will go in that direction, however, when a rider twists the platform longitudinally, the connecting members 221 C, 222 C will experience different fore-aft tilt angles causing the device to turn.
- FIG. 7 a perspective view of another embodiment of an auto-balancing device 310 with longitudinally disposed platform in accordance with the present invention is shown.
- Device 310 includes a flexible platform 315 with holes therein.
- Center hole 371 accommodates two drive wheels 330 , 350 that extend above the platform's top surface.
- Holes 372 are provided at the longitudinal ends (at subsections 321 A, 322 A, 321 B, 322 B) to facilitate twisting.
- Device 310 operates similar to device 210 .
- a rider standing skateboard style leans forward or rearward to initiate movement and twists the board by alternatively applying weight to the balls and heels of his or her feet. This twisting causes connecting members 321 C, 322 C to have different fore-aft tilt angles, as detected by sensors 335 , 355 , respectively, to achieve a turning of the device.
Abstract
An auto-balancing transportation device configured for being ridden in a foot forward or sideways standing position. The rider platform has front and rear foot platform areas and two connecting members, located on opposite lateral sides of the device, that couple the front and rear platform areas. Two drive wheels are located under or through the platform. The front and/or rear platform areas are movable or twistable so as to alter the fore-aft tilt of one or more of the connecting members. Position sensors associated with each connecting member are used to drive a corresponding drive wheel. In this manner, differences in fore-aft tilt angle of the two connecting members achieves a turning of the device.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/790,301, filed Jan. 9, 2019, entitled Self-Balancing Personal Vehicles, and having Ywanne Ying Chen as inventor.
- The prior art includes several auto-balancing transport devices. These include the Segway, developed by Kamen et al and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,230 (among others), the Solowheel, by Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,250) and Hovertrax, also by Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 8,738,278). The prior art also includes the Hovershoe, disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/338,387. These three patents and the Hovershoe application are hereby incorporated by reference as though disclosed in their entirety herein.
- The above patents disclose devices that are typically ridden with a rider standing facing forward, hips towards the line of direction of travel. In a conventional skateboard, however, a rider stands sideways. For people who experienced skateboard riding as a child, it might be easier to learn to ride an auto-balancing device standing sideways than hips forward.
- U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,817, issued to Doerksen, for a Self-Stabilizing Skateboard, discloses an auto-balancing device that may be ridden while standing sideways. This device (and others like it) is disadvantageous in several aspects. One is that it is difficult to turn. There is a singular wide, flat wheel, and this wheel structure makes turning very slow or gradual. Other disadvantageous aspects include that the exposed wheel is dangerous, throws rain water, and restricts foot movement.
- A need thus exists for an auto-balancing transportation device that allows a rider to stand sideways yet affords sharper and more responsive turning.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an auto-balancing transportation device that affords skateboard style riding (i.e., one foot forward) and more responsive turning.
- It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a device with two platform sections or components that are movable with respect to one another and that each control a drive wheel, the differential driving of the wheels achieving turning.
- These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of an auto-balancing device with longitudinally disposed and movable platform sections as described herein.
- The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings.
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FIGS. 1-2 are bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of one embodiment of a transportation device in accordance with the present invention. -
FIGS. 3-4 illustrate another embodiment of an auto-balancing device with a longitudinally disposed platform 115 in accordance with the present invention. -
FIGS. 5-6 illustrate yet another embodiment of an auto-balancing device with a longitudinally disposed platform in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an auto-balancing device in accordance with the present invention in which the drive wheels extend through the platform. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , bottom and top perspective views of a first embodiment of atransportation device 10 in accordance with the present invention are respectively shown. -
Device 10 preferably includes a longitudinally disposedfoot platform 15 that has twofoot platform sections FIG. 1 ,platform section 21 is coupled to FPU 30 andplatform section 22 is coupled to FPU 50. - Each FPU preferably has a
drive wheel 31,51 and an associated motor 32,52. The motor may be a hub motor or other motor arrangement. Each FPU also preferably has acontrol circuit 34,54, a position sensor (such as a fore-aft tilt angle sensor or gyroscopic sensor or other sensor) 35,55, and abattery 36,56. Alternatively, the sensor for a given FPU may be provided with the associated platform section. Regardless, the sensors are preferably configured to sense the fore-aft tilt angle of their foot platform section. -
FPUs 30,50 are preferably configured such that the control circuit drives thedrive wheel 31,51 towards auto-balancing the FPU based on data from thesensor 35,55. Auto-balancing arrangements, including those for use in an FPU, are known in the art. -
FPUs 30,50 are preferably coupled to one another such that the drive wheels have a common axis of rotation, though they may be otherwise arranged without departing from the present invention. -
Foot platform sections FIG. 6 , a rider would typically stand with a foot on subsections 21A,22A and the other on subsections 21B,22B. By switching weight from heel to ball on their feet, and vice versa, the rider can change the tilt of the connecting member 21C,22C relative to one another and thus achieve turning. - For example, if in
FIG. 2 , connecting member 22C is tilted forward by 1 degree and connecting member 21C is tilted forward by 5 degrees, then there is a 4 degree differential between the connecting members andwheel 31 is driven faster than wheel 51, turningdevice 10 to the right. - It should be recognized that which longitudinal end is the front or rear may be arbitrary as a rider may mount from either direction (though the device may be made with a dedicated front and rear).
- Note that equal and opposite tilting of the connecting members 21C,22C would allow the device to pivot in place, something prior art auto-balancing skateboard devices cannot achieve.
- By affording independent, or relative difference based, control of two drive wheels, the present invention is able to achieve much more responsive turning than available in prior art devices. Further, it is achieved in a manner that is intuitive to a rider, which makes learning to ride easier, and increases the potential uses of the device—commuting, recreation, games and competitions, etc.
- It should also be recognized that in the present invention, the platform has a greater longitudinal dimension than lateral dimension. This may be simply longer than wide, or 1.5× longer, or 2× longer or 2.5× longer than wide, or more.
- Referring to
FIGS. 3-4 , another embodiment of an auto-balancing device 110 with a longitudinally disposed platform 115 in accordance with the present invention is shown. -
Device 110 is similar todevice 10 and similar components may have the same reference numerals in the tens and ones digits. One difference is that whileplatform 15 ofdevice 10 is two physically separate items, i.e., not directly connected, the two platform sections 121,122 of platform 115 are coupled by a flexible membrane 140. The membrane is preferably coupled to the platform sections in such a way as to give the feel of one contiguous platform surface yet afford sufficient flexibility such that the platform sections can move in fore-aft tilt relative to one another. The membrane may be made of latex rubber or flexible plastic or other suitable material. - Similar to
device 10, each platform section 121,122 has a front subsection 121A,122A, a rear subsection 121B,122B, and a connecting member 121C,122C therebetween. -
FIG. 4 illustrates one potential assembly technique fordevice 110. Arrow A indicates the platform being mounted toFPUs 130,150. Platform 115 may be screwed to the FPUs or otherwise fastened. Coupling techniques for joining the FPUs are known in the art. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , yet another embodiment of an auto-balancingdevice 210 with a longitudinally disposedplatform 215 in accordance with the present invention is shown. -
Device 210 includes a contiguous or onepiece platform 215, albeit preferably with a longitudinally disposed hole 271 in it to enhance twisting.Platform 215 preferably has subsections 221A,222A up front,subsections 221B,222B in the rear, and connectingmembers 221C,222C therebetween. -
FIG. 6 illustrates where a rider might stand. For example, one foot 5 at the front and one foot 6 at the rear. It can be seen that each foot touches a pair of subsections. As a rider leans forward or rearward (in the line of direction of travel) the device will go in that direction, however, when a rider twists the platform longitudinally, the connectingmembers 221C,222C will experience different fore-aft tilt angles causing the device to turn. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , a perspective view of another embodiment of an auto-balancing device 310 with longitudinally disposed platform in accordance with the present invention is shown. Device 310 includes aflexible platform 315 with holes therein. Center hole 371 accommodates twodrive wheels Holes 372 are provided at the longitudinal ends (atsubsections 321A,322A,321B,322B) to facilitate twisting. - Device 310 operates similar to
device 210. A rider standing skateboard style leans forward or rearward to initiate movement and twists the board by alternatively applying weight to the balls and heels of his or her feet. This twisting causes connectingmembers 321C,322C to have different fore-aft tilt angles, as detected bysensors - While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. An auto-balancing transportation device, comprising:
a platform having first and second front subsections and first and second rear subsections, and a first connecting member located between the first front and rear subsections and a second connecting member located between the second front and rear subsections;
a first wheel, a first drive motor, and a first sensor associated with the first connecting member;
a second wheel, a second drive motor, and a second sensor associated with the second connecting member;
a control circuit that drives the first drive motor toward auto-balancing the first connecting member based on data from the first sensor and that drives the second drive motor toward auto-balancing the second connecting member based on data from the second sensor; and
wherein the fore-aft tilt angle of the first and second connecting members is changeable by a rider during use and a difference in fore-aft tilt angle between the first and second connecting members achieves differential driving of the first and second wheels and a turning of the device.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the platform is greater in longitudinal dimension than lateral dimension.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the platform is 1.5 times or more greater in longitudinal dimension than lateral dimension.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second wheels are wholly below the platform.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second wheels are in part below the platform and in part above the platform.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor senses fore-aft tilt angle of the first connecting member.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connecting members are substantially parallel to one another, and are physically separate from one another.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connecting members are coupled to one another through a flexible coupler.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connecting members are formed in a contiguous board that has an opening defined therein, the board being sufficiently flexible to allow movement of the first and second connecting members relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the first and second wheels extend above the platform through the opening.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second front subsections are configured to move relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle, and movement of the first and second front subsections relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle causes movement of the first and second connecting members relative to one another.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second rear subsections are configured to move relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle, and movement of the first and second rear subsections relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle causes movement of the first and second connecting members relative to one another.
13. An auto-balancing transportation device, comprising:
a platform having first and second front subsections and first and second rear subsections, and a first connecting member located between the first front and rear subsections and a second connecting member located between the second front and rear subsections;
a first wheel, a first drive motor, and a first sensor associated with the first connecting member;
a second wheel, a second drive motor, and a second sensor associated with the second connecting member;
a control circuit that drives the first drive motor toward auto-balancing the first connecting member based on data from the first sensor and that drives the second drive motor toward auto-balancing the second connecting member based on data from the second sensor; and
wherein the first connecting member is capable of fore-aft tilt angle movement while the fore-aft tilt angle of the second connecting member is unchanged.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the second connecting member is capable of fore-aft tilt angle movement while the fore-aft tilt angle of the first connecting member is unchanged.
15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the platform is greater in longitudinal dimension than lateral dimension.
16. The device of claim 13 , wherein the first and second wheels are wholly below the platform.
17. The device of claim 13 , wherein the first and second wheels are in part below the platform and in part above the platform.
18. The device of claim 13 , wherein the first and second connecting members are formed in a contiguous board that has an opening defined therein, the board being sufficiently flexible to allow movement of the first and second connecting members relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle.
19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the first and second wheels extend above the platform through the opening.
20. The device of claim 13 , having at least one of:
the first and second front subsections configured to move relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle, and movement of the first and second front subsections relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle causing movement of the first and second connecting members relative to one another; and
the first and second rear subsections configured to move relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle, and movement of the first and second rear subsections relative to one another in fore-aft tilt angle causing movement of the first and second connecting members relative to one another.
Priority Applications (1)
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US16/739,085 US20200282295A1 (en) | 2019-01-09 | 2020-01-09 | Auto-balancing device with longitudinally disposed and movable platform sections |
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US201962790301P | 2019-01-09 | 2019-01-09 | |
US16/739,085 US20200282295A1 (en) | 2019-01-09 | 2020-01-09 | Auto-balancing device with longitudinally disposed and movable platform sections |
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US20200282295A1 true US20200282295A1 (en) | 2020-09-10 |
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US16/739,091 Active 2040-08-02 US11279431B2 (en) | 2019-01-09 | 2020-01-09 | Compact auto-balancing transportation device |
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US16/739,091 Active 2040-08-02 US11279431B2 (en) | 2019-01-09 | 2020-01-09 | Compact auto-balancing transportation device |
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EP (1) | EP3680159B1 (en) |
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Cited By (1)
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US20220411004A1 (en) * | 2021-06-24 | 2022-12-29 | Shenzhen Baike Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd. | Self-balancing scooter and control method thereof, and kart powered by the same |
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Also Published As
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EP3680159C0 (en) | 2023-08-09 |
US20200262504A1 (en) | 2020-08-20 |
ES2952693T3 (en) | 2023-11-03 |
EP3680159A1 (en) | 2020-07-15 |
US11279431B2 (en) | 2022-03-22 |
EP3680159B1 (en) | 2023-08-09 |
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