User input for vehicle control

• US 7,357,202 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Ambrogi, Robert R., Morrell, John B., Heinzmann, Richard Kurt, Heinzmann, John David, Kamen, Dean L., Herr, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US10/947,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20050034553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 180/8.1, 180/315, 180/335, 180/65.1, 701/94, 701/93
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/04 motor-driven A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/061 for climbing stairs
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/007 Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/042 in which a parameter or coefficient is automatically adjusted to optimise the performance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20396 Hand operated

Abstract

A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle. The user input has a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user. The correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity may include a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity that may be capable of customization for a specific user. The user input may also include a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle propelled by a motorized drive for transporting the vehicle across a surface, the vehicle comprising:

a movable member spanning a range of deflection by a user, each deflection corresponding to a unique non-zero velocity commanded by the user; and

a balance-maintaining controller for maintaining balance of the vehicle on the basis of a servo loop governing the motorized drive in accordance with user commands of a specified non-zero velocity.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein correspondence between the degree of deflection and the unique velocity includes a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is further characterized by a neutral position and wherein the controller governing the motorized drive is of the kind that causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle upon a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the specified velocity has fore-aft and lateral components.

5. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each degree of deflection of the movable member over the range of deflection corresponds to a unique specified non-zero velocity commanded by the user, the correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity having a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity in accordance with which the controller governs the motorized drive.