User input for vehicle control

• US 7,708,094 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Morrell, John B., Herr, David, Ambrogi, Robert R., Heinzmann, Richard Kurt, Heinzmann, John D., Kamen, Dean L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/102,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20080319627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 280/495, 280/491.5, 180/8.1, 180/315, 180/335, 180/65.1, 180/7.1, 701/94, 701/95, 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: G05G 2009/0474 characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04

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:

an input device for controlling movement of the vehicle including 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 having a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity of commanded velocity as a function of displacement; and

a control system in communication with the input device and the motorized drive, the control system receiving specified velocity commands from the input device and controlling the motorized drive to maintain balance of the vehicle on the basis of a control loop governing the motorized drive in accordance with the user commands of specified velocity commanded by the user.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the input device allows for customizing the distinct sensitivity of each zone.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the input device allows for customizing the distinct sensitivity of each zone for a specified user.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each zone includes a distinct acceleration.