Recreational electric vehicle

• US 7,243,746 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abraham Vasant
• Original Assignee: Abraham Vasant
• Inventors: Vasant, Abraham
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US10/714,113
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.2, 180/6.5, 180/21, 180/907, 180/908
• US Class Current: 180/6.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/24 by lever actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/60 using power supplied by batteries in combination with fuel cells B60L50/75
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/003 Electric or electronic control systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/04 by means of separate power sources
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/003 compact cars, e.g. city cars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/04 with two other wheels which are coaxial
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2204/00 Adaptations for driving cycles by electric motor for driving electrically assisted bicycles B62M6/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/01 Motorcycles with four or more wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/003
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

The recreational electric vehicle (hereinafter REV) is a convenient indoor or outdoor vehicle for one or two people with a space for personal goods. REV is most suited for adaptations for recreational use. It uses electric power for zero pollutant emissions, quiet operation, and a very low running cost. REV is driven using a joystick and is able to turn on the spot.

Claims

1. A recreational vehicle (REV) comprising:

a frame having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the lateral axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at a center of gravity of the REV;

first and second drive wheels attached to the frame along the lateral axis;

third and fourth wheels attached to the frame along the longitudinal axis, the wheels arranged in a diamond shape;

a first motor and a second motor, connected to the first and second drive wheels respectively, the first motor and the second motor able to be engaged in the same and in opposite directions; and

a joystick to control the first and second drive wheels, the joystick configured to respond to a twisting motion by causing the REV to spin about its axis.

2. The REV of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery to provide power to the first motor and the second motor.

3. The REV of claim 2, further comprising:

a second battery to provide power to signals, displays, and entertainment electronics within the REV.

4. The REV of claim 1, further comprising:

a joystick to control the REV.

5. The REV of claim 4, wherein the joystick is further for operator selection of vehicle speed, vehicle turn radius and vehicle turn angular velocity, whereby the REV may move in a straight line, in a turn, or spin in place.

6. The REV of claim 5, wherein the joystick is further to control braking.

7. The REV of claim 4, further comprising:

a drive mode selector to select a drive mode, the drive modes including forward and reverse.

8. The REV of claim 7, wherein the drive modes further include Park, the Park mode comprising applying an engine brake to ensure that the REV remains stationary.

9. The REV of claim 4, further comprising:

a moveable mount for the joystick, the moveable mount enabling the joystick to be positioned properly for drivers of various size and at various seating locations.

10. The REV of claim 1, further comprising:

a dashboard including a joystick and a drive mode selector.

11. The REV of claim 1, further comprising:

a smart card reader to receive a smart card, the smart card to act as an activating key to make the REV functional.

12. The REV of claim 11, wherein the smart card stores a user profile, the user profile specifying abilities of the REV.

13. The REV of claim 12, wherein the user profile may comprise one or more of the following:

a maximum range, a maximum speed, a maximum acceleration, a maximum weight limit.

14. The REV of claim 1, further comprising:

a vehicle control computer to enable various functions of the REV.

15. The REV of claim 14, wherein the vehicle control computer comprises:

an equipment profile to limit the REV functionality depending on a current condition of the REV.

16. The REV of claim 14, wherein the vehicle control computer further comprises:

automatic ride procedures to enable the REV to ride in a self-guided mode, without requiring user input through the joystick.

17. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a chassis frame;

first and second drive wheels attached to the frame, each of the drive wheels being capable of powered in being a clockwise or anticlockwise direction;

first and second stability wheels attached to the frame to provide stability to the frame, the first and second drive wheels and the first and second stability wheels together forming a diamond shape;

a drive motor for independently controlling a torque vector of each of the drive wheels, the drive motor able to power the drive wheels in the same and in opposite directions, enabling forward motion, turns, and spinning in place;

a battery to power the drive motor; and

a drive control system capable of taking a set of command signal inputs and applying transfer functions to them to produce the motion and braking function applied to each of the drive wheels;

a joystick to control the drive wheels, the joystick configured to respond to a twisting motion by causing the REV to spin in place.

18. The recreational vehicle of claim 17, wherein the set of command signal inputs are received from a joystick controller.

19. A recreational vehicle (REV) comprising:

a frame having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the lateral axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at a center of gravity of the REV;

first and second drive wheels attached to the frame along the lateral axis;

third and fourth wheels attached to the frame along the longitudinal axis, the wheels arranged in a diamond shape;

a first motor and a second motor, connected to the first and second drive wheels respectively, the first motor and the second motor able to be engaged in the same and opposite directions;

a joystick to control the first and second drive wheels, the joystick configured to respond to a twisting motion by causing the REV to spin about its axis;

an electronic control system including;

a smartcard reader to receive a smartcard from a user, the smartcard enabling usage-based billing.

20. The recreational vehicle of claim 19, further comprising a substantially rigid body coupled with the frame and configured to protect the vehicle and a rider.