Suspension system for one-wheeled vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A shock absorbing, self-balancing electric skateboard, comprising:
- a board configured to receive left and right feet of a rider oriented generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the board;
a wheel assembly including a rotatable wheel;
a motor assembly configured to rotate the wheel around an axle to propel the skateboard;
at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board;
a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the skateboard based on the orientation information;
a compressible shock absorber;
a first linkage assembly connecting a first end of the shock absorber to the board; and
a second linkage assembly connecting a second end of the shock absorber to the wheel;
wherein at least one member of one of the linkage assemblies is rotatable on an axis extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the board, and wherein compression of the shock absorber is configured to allow the board to move relative to the wheel in response to bumps encountered by the wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to provide arcuate, generally vertical motion of a board relative to an axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems may include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the wheel assembly to the board.
90 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A shock absorbing, self-balancing electric skateboard, comprising:
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a board configured to receive left and right feet of a rider oriented generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the board; a wheel assembly including a rotatable wheel; a motor assembly configured to rotate the wheel around an axle to propel the skateboard; at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board; a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the skateboard based on the orientation information; a compressible shock absorber; a first linkage assembly connecting a first end of the shock absorber to the board; and a second linkage assembly connecting a second end of the shock absorber to the wheel; wherein at least one member of one of the linkage assemblies is rotatable on an axis extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the board, and wherein compression of the shock absorber is configured to allow the board to move relative to the wheel in response to bumps encountered by the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A self-balancing electric vehicle, comprising:
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a board defining a riding plane and configured to receive left and right feet of a rider; a rotatable wheel extending above and below the board; a motor configured to rotate the wheel around an axis of rotation to propel the vehicle; at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board; a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor to propel the vehicle based on the orientation information; and a linkage assembly linking the wheel to the board, the linkage assembly including; first and second extension arms, each rotatably attached to a respective lateral side of the wheel; a connecting member rigidly interconnecting the extension arms; a shock absorber having a first end coupled to the connecting member; and a first coupling member joining a second end of the shock absorber to the board; wherein the linkage assembly is configured to allow the riding plane of the board to move in an arcuate, generally vertical direction relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel, in response to bumps encountered by the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electric vehicle, comprising:
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a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a rider; a wheel assembly including a ground-contacting element extending above the first and second deck portions; a motor assembly mounted to the wheel assembly and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle; at least one orientation sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board; a motor controller configured to receive board orientation information measured by the orientation sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the board orientation information; and a suspension system including a shock absorber operatively coupled to a swingarm having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the board and a distal end coupled to the axle, such that the board is displaceable relative to the axle along an arcuate, generally vertical path; wherein the shock absorber is coupled to the swingarm and the board on a first side of the wheel assembly, the suspension system further including a torque arm coupled to the axle and the board on a second side of the wheel assembly.
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Specification