Self-stabilizing skateboard

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12059608-B2
Application number	US-202318149587-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 3, 2023
Priority date	Feb 11, 2019
Publication date	Aug 13, 2024
Grant date	Aug 13, 2024

Abstract

A self-stabilizing, one-wheeled electric skateboard may include improved features. In some examples, the vehicle includes a status indicator viewable through a slot formed in an upper surface of the board. In some examples, the vehicle includes a convertible carrying handle transitionable between stowed and deployed positions. In some examples, the vehicle includes an interchangeable fender and fender substitute that may be removably coupled to an upper surface of the board. In some examples, a motor controller of the vehicle may operate a field-oriented control (FOC) scheme configured to control the electric motor by manipulating a direct current aligned with a rotating rotor flux angle and a quadrature current defined at ninety degrees from the rotating rotor flux angle. In some examples, the motor controller may be configured to permit intuitive dismounting of the vehicle by tilting and/or moving the vehicle backward.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A self-balancing electric vehicle comprising:
one or more wheels having a common axis of rotation;
a board having a first end and a second end, wherein the board is tiltable about the axis of the one or more wheels;
an electric hub motor coupled to a power supply and configured to drive the one or more wheels;
a motor controller configured to receive orientation information indicating an orientation of the board and to cause the hub motor to propel the board based on the orientation information; and
a housing disposed within the board for receiving the motor controller, wherein the housing comprises a light pipe, and wherein portions of the housing are textured to inhibit transparency.

2. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising one or more illuminators disposed in the housing, such that each of the one or more illuminators is visible through the housing.

3. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the one or more illuminators form a status indicator.

4. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 2 , wherein, one or more portions of the light pipe are adjacent the one or more illuminators.

5. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the light pipe is formed as a single piece with a lid of the housing.

6. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the one or more illuminators comprise headlights.

7. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the housing consists essentially of the light pipe and textured portions.

8. A self-balancing electric vehicle comprising:
a wheel having an axis of rotation;
a board configured to be tiltable about the axis of the wheel;
an electric hub motor configured to drive the wheel;
a motor controller configured to receive orientation information indicating an orientation of the board and to cause the hub motor to propel the board based on the orientation information; and
a housing disposed within the board and configured for receiving the motor controller, the housing including a light pipe;
wherein one or more portions of the housing are textured to inhibit transparency.

9. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of illuminators disposed in the housing, such that the illuminators are viewable through the light pipe.

10. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of illuminators form a power supply status indicator.

11. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the light pipe extends from adjacent the power supply status indicator.

12. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of illuminators comprise headlights.

13. A self-balancing electric vehicle, comprising:
a wheel having an axis of rotation;
a board configured to be tiltable about the axis of the wheel;
an electric hub motor coupled to a power supply and configured to drive the wheel;
a motor controller configured to receive orientation information indicating an orientation of the board and to cause the hub motor to propel the board based on the orientation information; and
a clear polycarbonate housing for receiving the motor controller, the housing disposed under a footpad of the board and comprising a lid; wherein the lid consists essentially of:
one or more light pipes extending from the lid; and
textured portions configured to inhibit transparency.

14. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 13 , further comprising one or more illuminators disposed within the housing, such that the illuminators are visible through the one or more light pipes.

15. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the one or more illuminators form a battery indicator configured to indicate a state of a power supply.

16. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the one or more light pipes extend from the one or more illuminators, such that the battery indicator is viewable through the one or more light pipes.

17. The self-balancing electric vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the one or more light pipes are formed as a single piece with the lid of the housing.

Assignees

• Future Motion Inc

Inventors

• Doerksen Kyle Jonathan
• Robertson Beau
• Wood Daniel J
• De La Rua Julian

Classifications

• G05D1/43

  Control of position or course in two dimensions [2D] · CPC title

• A63C2203/52

  Direct actuation of steering of roller skate or skateboards, e.g. by a foot plate · CPC title

• A63C2203/12

  Electrically powered or heated · CPC title

• G01C19/42

  for indicating rate of turn; for integrating rate of turn · CPC title

• A63C2203/14

  Lighting means · CPC title