Personal transporter

• US 6,796,396 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Morrell, John B., Pompa, Jonathan B., Field, J. Douglas, Heinzmann, Richard Kurt, Kamen, Dean L., Arling, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich, George D.
• Application Number:
  US10/272,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20030155167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 180/272, 180/273
• 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 are revealed in embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, a transporter for carrying a payload includes a platform for supporting a user; a ground-contacting module, to which the platform is mounted, which propels the user; a proximity detector for determining the presence of a user; and a safety switch coupled to the detector for inhibiting operation of the ground-contacting module unless the proximity detector has determined the presence of the user; and a motorized drive arrangement coupled to the ground-contacting module for causing automatically balanced and stationary operation of the device unless the proximity detector determines the presence of the user on the device. Various other mechanisms are provided for receiving rider input in order to direct steering 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 detector for determining the presence of the user on the device;

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

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 detector has determined the presence of the user on the device.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the proximity detector 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 method of using a transporter to carry a payload including a user, the method comprising:

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

b. using a proximity detector to determine the Presence of the user on the device;

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

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 detector has determined the presence of the user on the device.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the proximity detector 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.

8. A method according to claim 7, 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.