SCOOTER SHIFTER

• US 20070219696A1
• Filed: 03/14/2007
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Poxton, Peter, Miller, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 7,885,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/51
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/66259 using electrical or electronical sensing or control means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/66272 characterised by means for controlling the torque transmitting capability of the gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/062 electric or electro-mechanical actuating means

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for automatically adjusting a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a motorized vehicle. A microprocessor processor in the vehicle receives data about the operating status of the vehicle from a plurality. Examples of vehicle data include vehicle speed, motor speed, throttle position, current draw from a battery, and battery level. A servo motor is in mechanical communication with the CVT and provides an axial force to adjust the CVT. The microprocessor uses lookup tables of optimal set points for vehicle data to instruct the servo motor to adjust the transmission ratio of the CVT according to the vehicle data provided by the sensors.

Claims

1. A system for automatically adjusting a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a motorized vehicle, the system comprising:

(a) a microprocessor;

(b) a plurality of sensors that provide said microprocessor with data about the operating status of the vehicle; and

(c) a servo motor in mechanical communication with the CVT, wherein the servo motor provides an axial force to adjust the CVT;

(d) wherein the microprocessor instructs said servo motor to adjust the transmission ratio of the CVT according to the vehicle data provided by said sensors.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle data provided to the microprocessor by said sensors comprises at least one of the following:

(a) vehicle speed;

(b) motor speed;

(c) throttle position;

(d) current draw from a battery;

(e) battery level;

(f) CVT setting;

(g) control settings of a motor control device;

(h) wind direction;

(i) wind speed; and

(j) tire pressure.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain the best vehicle performance.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain optimal efficiency of the vehicle.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a 90°

gearbox that provides mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a rack and pinion style linear actuator that provides mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the servo motor is mounted on a vehicle wheel, adjacent to the CVT.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a pulley system and cables that provide mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a visual display of inputs and outputs that allows a user to verify settings and measurements, wherein display readouts include at least one of the following:

(a) wheel count;

(b) current amps

(c) voltage in (current sensor for motor)

(d) motor RPM;

(e) wheel RPM; and

(f) MPH.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is a battery powered scooter.

11. A method for automatically adjusting a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a motorized vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) programming a microprocessor in the vehicle with lookup tables of optimum set points for vehicle data;

(b) providing data about vehicle operating status from a plurality of sensors to said microprocessor; and

(c) sending instructions from said microprocessor to a servo motor in mechanical communication with the CVT to adjust the transmission ratio of the CVT according to the vehicle data provided by said sensors.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle data provided to the microprocessor by said sensors comprises at least one of the following:

(a) vehicle speed;

(b) motor speed;

(c) throttle position;

(d) current draw from a battery;

(e) battery level;

(f) CVT setting;

(g) control settings of a motor control device;

(h) wind direction;

(i) wind speed; and

(j) tire pressure.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain the best vehicle performance.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain optimal efficiency of the vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising providing mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT using a 90°

gearbox.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising providing mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT using a rack and pinion style linear actuator.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising mounting the servo motor on a vehicle wheel, adjacent to the CVT.

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising providing mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT using a pulley system and cables.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising visually displaying inputs and outputs that allow a user to verify settings and measurements, wherein display readouts include at least one of the following:

(a) wheel count;

(b) current amps

(c) voltage in (current sensor for motor)

(d) motor RPM;

(e) wheel RPM; and

(f) MPH.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the motor vehicle is a battery powered scooter.