Dynamically stable transporter controlled by lean

• US 8,186,462 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Kamen, Dean, Heinzmann, Richard Kurt, Heinzmann, John David, Ambrogi, Robert R., Langenfeld, Christopher C., Field, J. Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/926,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20080105480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,674 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 180/19.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/01 Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/08 single-wheel type with single axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/12 with driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/52 Direct actuation of steering of roller skate or skateboards, e.g. by a foot plate
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0161 mainly during straight-line motion B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/12 Cycles; Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/20 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/22 Perambulators
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/26 Carts
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/0512 Pitch angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/61 Load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/63 Location of the center of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/40 Steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/014 Pitch; Nose dive
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/0192 longitudinal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/912 Attitude Control; levelling control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/915 Suspension load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/00 Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator fittings acting on two or more sub-units B60W30/14; speedometers G01P; systems or devices for controlling speed in general G05D13/00 ; in traffic anti-collision system for road vehicles G08G1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/16 Single-axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/24 : Personal mobility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/30 : Universal machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/34 : Stabilising upright position of vehicles, e.g. of single axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 : the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/12 : Hand levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/02 : the driver standing in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/007 : Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 17/00 : Cycles not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 7/00 : Motorcycles characterised by position of motor or engine rider propulsion with addition source of power, e.g. auxiliary combustion engine or electric motor B62M6/00; frames characterised by position of engine B62K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 : Motorized wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/908 : Motor vehicles with short wheelbase

Abstract

A transporter for transporting a subject over a surface that may be irregular. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution. A plurality of ground contacting elements are coupled to the support platform such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane. At least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements is driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal indicative of the load distribution. Based at least on the load distribution, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.

Claims

1. A transporter comprising:

a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a tilt in the fore-aft plane with respect to the ground and a load distribution, the load distribution determining the tilt in the fore-aft plane;

a plurality of ground contacting elements coupled to the support platform with at least two ground contacting elements disposed in the fore-aft plane such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane;

a motorized drive arrangement for driving at least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements;

a sensor module for generating a signal indicative of the load distribution of the loaded support platform based upon the tilt in the fore-aft plane of the platform; and

a controller for commanding the motorized drive arrangement based on the load distribution;

wherein the controller commands the motorized drive arrangement so as to cause an acceleration of the transporter, the transporter further including an externally visible indicator for providing an indication based on the acceleration, the indication being externally visible.

2. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ground contacting elements include at least two wheels.

3. The transporter according to claim 2, wherein the at least two wheels include:

a first wheel rotatable about a first axis; and

a second wheel rotatable about a second axis, the second axis disposed aft of the first axis.

4. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured so that fore and aft motion of the transporter is controlled by shifting the load distribution of the loaded support platform fore and aft.

5. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the loaded support platform is characterized by a center of gravity having a position, and wherein the controller is configured so that fore and aft motion of the transporter is controlled by shifting the position of the center of gravity of the loaded support platform fore and aft.

6. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured so that turning of the transporter is controlled by laterally shifting the load distribution of the loaded support platform.

7. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the loaded support platform is characterized by a center of gravity having a position, wherein the controller is configured so that turning of the transporter is controlled by laterally shifting the position of the center of gravity of the loaded support platform.

8. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ground connecting elements are coupled to the support platform such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in both the fore-aft and lateral planes.

9. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the sensor module includes a tilt sensor.

10. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the sensor module adds an offset in generating the signal.

11. The transporter according to claim 10, wherein the offset is adjustable via a user interface.

12. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the externally visible indicator is viewable from behind the transporter.

13. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the transporter further includes a user interface, wherein the controller commands the motorized drive arrangement based at least on a signal provided by the user interface.

14. A transporter according to claim 13, wherein the user interface is selected from the group of user interfaces consisting of a joystick and a dial.

15. A method for controlling a transporter having a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution, the transporter further including a plurality of ground-contacting elements with at least two ground contacting elements disposed in the fore-aft plane such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane, the transporter further including a motorized drive arrangement for driving at least one of the plurality of ground-contacting elements, the method comprising:

determining a tilt in the fore-aft plane with respect to the ground of the loaded support, the load distribution determining the tilt in the fore-aft plane;

sensing a roll angle in the lateral plane of the loaded support platform; and

commanding the motorized drive arrangement based at least on the tilt in the fore-aft plane indicative of the load distribution.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein determining the tilt in the fore-aft plane of the loaded platform includes sensing a load above at least one ground-contacting element.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein determining the tilt in the fore-aft plane of the loaded platform includes sensing a tilt in the fore-aft plane of the loaded support platform.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein commanding the motorized drive is further based on a control signal from a transporter user interface.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing an externally visible indication based on motion commanded.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein providing the externally visible indication is based on acceleration commanded.

21. A vehicle comprising:

a first platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes;

a plurality of ground contacting elements coupled to the first platform with at least two ground contacting elements disposed in the fore-aft plane such that the first platform is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane;

a second platform for supporting a rider, the second platform located above the first platform and tiltably coupled in the fore-aft plane thereto;

a sensor module interposed between the first platform and the second platform, the sensor module generating a weight shift signal indicative of weight shifting by the rider on the second platform based on a tilt of the second platform in at least the fore-aft plane;

a motorized drive arrangement for driving at least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements; and

a controller for commanding the motorized drive arrangement based on the signal generated by the sensor indicative of the weight shift.

22. A vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the motorized drive arrangement is configured to control at least one of steering motion and straight motion.

23. A vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the sensor module includes a load sensor.

24. A transporter comprising:

a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a tilt in the fore-aft plane with respect to the ground and a load distribution, the load distribution determining the tilt in the fore-aft plane;

a plurality of ground contacting elements coupled to the support platform with at least two ground contacting elements disposed in the fore-aft plane such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane;

a motorized drive arrangement for driving at least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements;

a sensor module for generating a signal indicative of the load distribution of the loaded support platform based upon the tilt in the fore-aft plane of the platform; and

a controller for commanding the motorized drive arrangement based on the load distribution;

wherein the transporter further includes a user interface, wherein the controller commands the motorized drive arrangement based at least on a signal provided by the user interface; and

wherein the user interface is selected from the group of user interfaces consisting of a joystick and a dial.

25. A method for controlling a transporter having a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution, the transporter further including a plurality of ground-contacting elements with at least two ground contacting elements disposed in the fore-aft plane such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane, the transporter further including a motorized drive arrangement for driving at least one of the plurality of ground-contacting elements, the method comprising:

determining a tilt in the fore-aft plane with respect to the ground of the loaded support, the load distribution determining the tilt in the fore-aft plane;

commanding the motorized drive arrangement based at least on the tilt in the fore-aft plane indicative of the load distribution; and

providing an externally visible indication based on motion commanded.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein providing the externally visible indication is based on acceleration commanded.