Electromechanical stabilization of in-line wheeled vehicles

• US 8,615,356 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2010
• Issued: 12/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ahlstedt, Delbert A., Brillhart, David C., Krekeler, Steven M., Ragan, Steven R., Rice, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Figueroa, Jaime
• Application Number:
  US12/887,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20120072099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/41, 701/124, 700/279, 188/350, 180 62- 67, 180400-447, 105/4.4, 280/217, 280/293
• US Class Current: 701/124
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 7/00 Devices for learning to ride cycles, not otherwise provided for, e.g. assisting balance
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/00 Safety equipment
• 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 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A system and method to enhance stability of in-line wheeled vehicles throughout an entire range of vehicle motions that utilizes a stability control that is user controlled to adjust the amount of stability control that is in place at any given time. A electromechanical gyroscopic stabilization device assists in maintaining an appropriate attack angle of the in-line wheeled vehicle while approaching and during non-linear maneuvers.

Claims

1. A method for stabilizing an in-line wheeled vehicle during or approaching non-linear movements on a driving surface, the vehicle comprising at least one front wheel in-line with at least one rear wheel;

a gyroscopic stabilization device mounted on the in-line wheeled vehicle; and

a computer coupled to the gyroscopic stabilization device, the method comprising;

the computer determining if a current speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to a user specified maximum speed at which the computer is permitted to attempt to stabilize the vehicle; and

if the vehicle is not currently stable and the current vehicle speed is less than the user-specified maximum, the computer initiating the gyroscopic stabilization device to aid in steering the front wheel into a direction of a lean during a non-linear movement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of if the vehicle is not currently stable and the current vehicle speed is less than the user-specified maximum, the computer initiating the gyroscopic stabilization device to aid in steering the front wheel into a direction of a lean during a non-linear movement further comprises:

tilting the gyroscopic stabilization device about a lean axis, such that a reaction torque about a steer axis causes a rotor of the gyroscopic stabilization device to precess about the lean axis, aiding in steering the front wheel into the direction of the lean when the vehicle is in or approaching non-linear movement.

3. The method claim 2, wherein tilting of the gyroscopic stabilization device about a lean axis, such that a reaction torque about a steer axis causes a rotor of the gyroscopic stabilization device to precess about the lean axis, aiding in steering the front wheel into the direction of the lean when the vehicle is in or approaching non-linear movement is carried out by initiating a cant motor of the gyroscopic stabilization device driving a meshing of a worm gear with rack teeth on a single gimble housing of the gyroscopic stabilization device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the computer receiving user stability data specifying at least a specified maximum speed at which the computer is attempted to stabilize the vehicle and storing the data on the computer.