Personal transporter

• US 20030155167A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Pompa, Jonathan B., Heinzman, Richard Kurt, Field, J. Douglas, Morrell, John B., Kamen, Dean L., Arling, Richard W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,796,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/014 Wheel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/08 single-wheel type with single axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/12 with driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/00 Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel roller-skate driving mechanisms A63C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/16 Single-axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/22 by presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0038 relating to sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0084 relating to control modules
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 57/00 Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground- engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track sledges B62B; motor sledges B62M
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/002 without a seat, i.e. the rider operating the vehicle in a standing position, e.g. non-motorized scooters; non-motorized scooters with skis or runners
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

Improvements to a motorized balancing personal transporter. An intelligent battery has a battery container sealed against moisture and a plurality of battery blocks housed within the battery container. Additionally, the battery pack has a plurality of sensors, each of which is for monitoring a characteristic of a distinct battery block. The battery pack has a processor that generates a fault flag for transmission to a circuit external to the battery container on occurrence of a critical fault and that transmits an identifying characteristic such as a battery serial number. Various mechanisms are provided for receiving rider input in order to direct steering of the transporter. These include a rotatable grip for imparting rotary motion to a rotation sensor, a thumb-activated rotation sensor and a palm-activated sensor, each disposed on the handlebar of the transporter.

Claims

1. A transporter for carrying a payload including a user, the transporter comprising:

a. a platform which supports the user;

b. a ground-contacting module, to which the platform is mounted, which propels the user in desired motion over an underlying surface;

c. a proximity sensor for determining the presence of the user on the device; and

d. a safety switch, coupled to the proximity detector, for inhibiting operation of the ground-contacting module unless the proximity sensor has determined the presence of the user on the device.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is a member, mechanically coupled to the safety switch, having an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein the member is in the non-operating position in the absence of the user from the device and the member is moveable to the operating position when the user is on the device.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the member includes a plate, disposed on the device, for receiving a foot of the user, and wherein placement of the foot on the plate causes it to move into the operating position.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the proximity detector is electronic.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the proximity detector includes a semiconductor device.

6. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

e. a motorized drive arrangement, coupled to the ground-contacting module;

the motorized drive arrangement causing, when powered, automatically balanced and stationary operation of the device unless the proximity sensor has determined the presence of the user on the device.

7. A rider detector for detecting the presence of a rider standing on a base of a dynamically balanced transporter, the detector comprising:

a. a mat covering the base of the transporter, the mat comprising;

i. a mat edge attached to the base;

ii. a mat wall having a bottom portion and a top portion, the bottom portion attached to the mat edge;

iii. a mat cover having a top surface and a bottom surface, the mat cover attached to the mat wall and supported above the base; and

b. a switch mounted on the base and positioned below the bottom surface of the mat cover, the switch changing from a first state to a second state when the mat cover is displaced into contact with the switch.

8. A rider detector according to claim 7, further comprising a rigid plate disposed under the bottom surface of the mat cover.

9. A method of using a transporter to carry a payload including a user, the method comprising:

a. standing on a platform supporting the user, the platform mounted to a ground-contacting module, which propels the user in desired motion over an underlying surface;

b. using a proximity sensor to determine the presence of the user on the device; and

c. inhibiting operation of the ground-contacting module unless the proximity sensor has determined the presence of the user on the device.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the proximity sensor is a member, having an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein the member is in the non-operating position in the absence of the user from the device and the member is moveable to the operating position when the user is on the platform.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the member includes a plate, disposed on the device, for receiving a foot of the user, and wherein placement of the foot on the plate causes it to move into the operating position.

12. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

d. operating a motorized drive arrangement, coupled to the ground-contacting module;

the motorized drive arrangement causing, when powered, automatically balanced and stationary operation of the device unless the proximity sensor has determined the presence of the user on the device.