Computerized automated dynamic control system for single-track vehicles

• US 20040098185A1
• Filed: 11/18/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Everett X. Wang
• Original Assignee: Everett X. Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Everett X.
• Granted Patent: US 7,006,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1706 for single-track vehicles, e.g. motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/17555 specially adapted for enhancing driver or passenger comfort, e.g. soft intervention or pre-actuation strategies
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/06 using gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/02 with two road wheels in tandem on the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 1/12 using additional wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/411 Torque sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/412 Speed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/4151 for sensing lateral inclination of the cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/00 Steering devices steering devices specially adapted for one particular kind of cycle specified in groups B62K1/00 - B62K17/00, see the relevant group

Abstract

Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a single-track vehicle has a retractable auxiliary-support wheel assembly and a computer control system. In an embodiment, the single-track vehicle has an elongated body. The retractable auxiliary-support wheel assembly mounts on both sides of the elongated body. The computer control system analyzes signals from one or more sensors to dynamically balance the single-track vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a single-track vehicle with an elongated body;

a retractable auxiliary-support wheel assembly mounted on both sides of the elongated body; and

a computer control system to analyze signals from one or more sensors to dynamically balance the single-track vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first sensor comprises a gyroscope.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first sensor comprises an accelerometer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first sensor comprises a magnetometer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer control system balances the single-track vehicle based upon an optimal control algorithm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer controlled braking subsystem integrated with the computer controlled balance system to maintain balance on the single-track vehicle while braking.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the computer controlled braking subsystem directs the operation of one or more brake actuators on a front wheel and a back wheel based upon optimal force calculations.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer controlled steering system to receive a user'"'"'s road intention through a steering wheel, the computer controlled steering system to combine the user'"'"'s road intention input and signals from the one or more sensors to keep the single-track vehicle balanced and to follow an intended path of the user.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

an electric motor controlled by the computer controlled steering system, wherein a sensor detects a position of the steering wheel to provide an input signal into the computer controlled steering system and a control signal from the computer controlled steering system controls a steering column.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a rudder; and

an aileron, the computer control system to control position and alignment of the rudder and the aileron to further stabilize the single-track vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer control system to control steering and leaning angles of the single-track vehicle based upon the signals from the one or more sensors.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer control system to receive an incline surface condition from the one or more sensors and to deploy the retractable auxiliary supporting wheel assembly at calculated angles to keep the vehicle body upright.

13. A method, comprising:

dynamically balancing a single-track vehicle based upon receiving input signals from one or more sensors; and

controlling steering and leaning angles of the single-track vehicle based upon the signals from one or more sensors.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

controlling operation of one or more brake actuators on a front wheel and a back wheel based upon optimal force calculations.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

lowering an auxiliary supporting wheel assembly based upon a sensed dynamic state of the single-track vehicle.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

altering an angle of an auxiliary supporting wheel assembly based upon a sensed incline of a surface the single-track vehicle is on.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for lowering an auxiliary supporting wheel assembly based upon a sensed speed of the single-track vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for altering an angle of an auxiliary supporting wheel assembly based upon a sensed incline of a surface the single-track vehicle is on.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

dynamically balancing a single-track vehicle based upon receiving input signals from one or more sensors; and

controlling steering and leaning angles of the single-track vehicle based upon the signals from one or more sensors.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

means for controlling operation of one or more brake actuators on a front wheel and a back wheel based upon optimal force calculations.