Patent Application
20160339328
The user of public transportation must deal with a variety of constraints: his or her hands are full with objects to be carried, briefcase, school bags, errand items, etc. Public transportation is cramped and overcrowded; the sidewalk is busy, the stairs are narrow and steep, the public thoroughfare is governed by strict rules. After arriving at his or her destination, he or she must deal with social constraints whether at work or at school, and it can be difficult to change shoes and clothes. In addition, he or she must be able to use the aid in his or her usual attire.
It is also impossible to travel on the subway or train every day with a bicycle. It is difficult to go down stairs in roller skates; electric skateboarding are prohibited on public thoroughfares, such as a scooter; and even a vehicle such as the Segway®, designed for short-range city trips, turns out to be cumbersome on the sidewalk and not transportable on the subway and bus.
The state of the art comprises the Segway®, a platform aid comprising two wheels, rechargeable batteries, a central inertial stabilization device, and a handlebar integrated with the platform. This platform is not sufficiently compact to move along without difficulty on the sidewalk. It is too slow to move along on the road and, finally, its weight, in the order of 30 kg, prevents it from access to public transportation.
Document DE 100 27 466 describes a unicycle onto which the pedestrian climbs on two footrests, rests his or her hands on a handle that transmits the longitudinal inclination to the frame of the unicycle. An electronic device reads the longitudinal inclination of the unicycle by means of an electronic inclinometer and monitors the position of the wheel to maintain the balance of the user's means his center of gravity over the stand in order to prevent him or her from falling in accordance with an inverse tilt effect. The device moves forward as soon as the user inclines the handle forward. The wheel exhibits a square section so that the user is stable laterally. Because of this, path is guided within the longitudinal axis. The means for turning is not described, it is understood that it is necessary to briefly stand on the ground in order to convey lateral torque. Of course, turning the handle cannot ensure rotation because the footrests and the shaft are integrated via the fork.
Document DE 100 27 466 thus does not meet the criteria of the invention to the extent that it requires the user to hold the handle with at least one hand, and what is more it does not permit agile and harmonious steering to the extent that only longitudinal travel is provided for. Finally, the electronic device controlling the motor is served by an inclinometer, which is a different solution than that adopted by the invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,230, of Kamen represents several embodiments of balance unicycles, not optimized in order to be easily carried which imposes compact and lightness and it not described how to climb on it since the wheel is exposed and turning and its side may in consequence not transmit any lateral torque on the user's legs.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,313 Simeray of December 2013 under priority of November 2005 describes an:
‘Autonomous electric mobile aid intended to transport a city dweller comprising: a single wheel, an electric motor, a battery, a fork, and two footrests characterized in that the ergonomics and driving of it are intuitive and do not require the use of the hands by means of:
wherein lateral steering is agile by means of the single wheel having a tread that is approximately round in shape in a plane parallel to an axis of rotation of the single wheel; and wherein it is compact when carried by the city dweller by means of the two footrests being foldable.’
This USA patent also describes and protects:
There is no leg represented in
If the guide represented in
The man skilled in the art would then have immediately understood that inserting a leg in a guide like the one represented in
He would have also understood that
He would have built a guide or a lateral support in the essence of the invention and in accordance with the general specifications of a balanced wheel such to consider the comfort, security, and the level of torque and stress to transfer according to the power and speed of the wheel and its version, sport or commuter, without the need of an inventive step.
He would have adapted its size, shape, material, friction, softness, and elasticity. Connection with the footrest by a rod would have been optional. All said specifications are therefore respected without any inventive step.
It is therefore believable that the man skilled in the art would have reduced the guides to a low profile shape of U for a low power and low speed wheel transmitting low torque and low stress to the user's legs and increased such branches of the U for the guides for a wheel dedicated to competition and/or acrobatic figures generating high torque and high stress to the user's legs.
Inventist and its owner Shane Chen concluded with the present applicant Simeray in March 2011 a license of Simeray's 2005 invention with an option of exclusivity worldwide and in consideration of royalties and operated under the Trade Mark®Solowheel the Simeray invention since 2012.
Inventist has distributed a wheel manufactured in China, exhibiting a very low top speed and a low power generating almost no stress and no torque on the user's leg, except when the user climbs on it and generates with his leg and foot in a significant lateral torque and stress.
As license operator having an average skill in his art, Shane Chen has adapted the size and the shape of the guide to the very low level of longitudinal torque and of stress to convey to the user's leg, and designed guides with a U shape in soft material having very short branches, not foldable.
During the negotiation of the license, and without disclosing it to Simeray, Shane Chen has filed the utility patent application US 20110220427 of March 2011 claiming;
‘A powered unicycle device, comprising: a single wheel rotatably coupled to a frame; a motor which drives said wheel; an electronic fore-and-aft balance control system which controls said motor; a foot platform or platforms coupled to said frame; and leg contact surfaces on said frame, made of a yielding material and protruding outward from the main body of said frame’.
This application rejected 6 times in consideration of Simeray's prior art and lack of inventiveness finally became a patent in august 2014 U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,250 allowing:
A powered unicycle device, comprising:
wherein the first and second foot platforms extend in a direction perpendicular to the central vertical plane of the wheel further than the contact surfaces extend perpendicular to the central vertical plane, and further wherein the leg contact surfaces are configured so as to not substantially encircle a user's leg.
The present applicant Simeray doesn't understand this new previous art and especially:
Inventist concluded a license with an option of exclusivity worldwide of Simeray's patent and taken a design called Solowheel to market for 3 years in consideration of paying royalty when Simeray's patent is granted.
When the Simeray patent was granted in December 2013, Inventist breached the license agreement with by not paying the royalties due. The license of Inventist has been terminated in March 2014 by Simeray because of the breach.
The applicant not only unable to understand the prior art, its chronology and its meaning, respectfully apologizes for being also unable to identify who owns said previous art.
The present invention discloses the several improvements all necessary for the dissemination of the balanced wheel in the mass market.
Those improvements fix:
The weight, its width, its static and dynamical balance, the learning curve, the cost, the liability.
The present invention solves simultaneously these issues by inventive steps in a configuration remaining outside of the scope of the claims granted seemingly consecutively to Simeray and to Shane Chen in order that Simeray may have the privilege to operate his invention freely.
The current electric unicycles on the market fall inside the original Simeray patent and are designed with most of the weight above their center.
The power required to balance the user increases with the level of the center of gravity of the unicycle.
When the user steps down from the wheel, it needs lateral stabilization either from one leg on the side of the wheel (requiring torque against the wheel) with its foot on the pedal and one foot on the ground or held up by hand to keep if from falling down and becoming dirty.
With the electric unicycles on the market, there is a significant learning curve due to a lateral instability caused by a large wheel and no freedom of motion for the user's legs. This loss of freedom of motion is due to the size of the electric unicycle and how far apart it spreads the user's legs. This problem can be solved by having a design narrow enough that allows the users legs to move freely (as shown in the 2005 Simeray patent when the leg guides are in the folded position). This freedom of motion would allow the user to tilt the wheel laterally and in effect shift the contact point laterally allowing for better control.
However the user still needs to transmit a lateral torque and stress on the wheels side with his leg when he climbs on it.
A safety issue relates to a lack of headlights, tail lights, and running lights. The headlight is especially necessary to prevent the user from being surprised by surface irregularities. This is even more critical than for a bicycle, having a natural longitudinal stability. By highlighting through illumination obstacles and surface irregularities, the user may anticipate and react in a way to avoid falling.
Another safety issue is how a pedestrian may be surprised by the silent or fast electric unicycle rider. A sound warning could be used to prevent collisions.
Another safety issue is noted when the user steps down in an emergency or unpredictable situation and the sudden longitudinal misbalance causes the device to drive the wheel at full power spinning the frame into the user's leg.
A detection of the lateral misbalance should cause the motor to brake.
Another safety issue is related to the ground clearance necessary when the turns and leans. If the footrest bumps the floor during a high speed turn then the user twists and falls painfully. The balanced wheel must be able to lean around 30° before a footrest touches the ground.
Another security issue is related to the liability.
Regulations limit up the speed on the sidewalks and limits down the speed on the street. The dweller must adapt his driving to the existing regulation and assume the responsibility of any accident happening in breach of the regulation. The public information related to the current speed of the electric transportation device could contribute to attribute the responsibilities.
The invention is designed as a motorized electric aid that helps the city dweller in his or her pedestrian trips and that ideally remains compatible with all of the constraints listed above.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention abides by the following criteria: the aided pedestrian has the size of a normal pedestrian; moves along on the sidewalk at a pedestrian speed up to approximately 7 km/h and moves along on the road at a speed less than 30 km/h. The pedestrian has the agility of a normal pedestrian or skater and moves along without effort with the use of both hands and is able to wear his or her usual clothing and shoes.
The aid is compact, portable, and light, in for example a backpack, it weighs less than 5 kg has a volume less than 40 cm in diameter by less than 6 cm in thickness and can be recharged via a household electric socket or by another equivalent means. It offers a range of approximately one hour or 15 km.
The present invention by inventive step solves the dilemma of how to keep sufficient ground clearance under the pedals, a tight profile of the wheel in and after use, and how to increase its static, dynamic, lateral, and longitudinal stability by placing the heavy components under the wheels center. The wheels on the market are too large especially at the ankle level and there would be no improvement by lowering the batteries at the ankle level and enlarging the profile even more.
The inventive step include a complete reconstruction of the balanced wheel in which most of the weight is located in the foot rest, the wheel is a tight light and flexible hub-less wheel and the unique foot rest or the combined foot rests crosses the wheel's main plan, what is totally new and operable.
This present invention further describes:
The longitudinal stability is improved through
The lateral stability improved through
Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
The wheel includes a brushless motor, in a central casing 16 having the same level as the unfolded footrests, controlled by an electronic driver 17.
The inflated or plain tires 12, on the flexible ring 13 is guided by another ring 15 connected to the central casing of the motor 16 and to the guides 42 also used as a handle.
Preferably, the guide-handle 42 is surrounded by a soft and high friction material, avoiding the hand to glide for carrying.
The heavy parts of the motorized wheel batteries, motors and structure are located under the feet during use, and contribute to the low position of the Gravity Center.
A bumper ensures some suspension of the footrests and damps the vibrations.
The ring wheel connected by roller to the structure may absorb vibrations thanks to its soft tire and by effect of an elastic deformation.
The encumbrance and the weight are minimized when folded because the thickness of the folded wheel is similar to the thickness of the tire and the thickness of the stack of 2 batteries and their casing.
The foldable guides are optional and the user may use the motorized unicycle with the guide 42 folded or with the guide unfolded.
The
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention this only footrest's 55 surface is made of a photoelectric material for a permanent recharge of the battery when exposed to the sun connected to battery via a step up voltage elevator according to the state of the art.
This guiding ring 15 has as first option, the shape of a tube enclosing the wheel for water protection need, and as another option the shape of a simple ring, both with guiding roller 25. It is catch as a handle 54 by the user and is surrounded by a soft material in option for a better grip of the hand not represented.
This footrest and the user are supported by the two rollers 25 rolling on the rim of the wheel 13, when the user stands on the footrest 55.
The guide 15 achieves also the function of a handle 54 when the footrest is horizontal, for carrying it unfolded or folded down, and it may be surrounded by a soft material for comfortable handling.
The footrest includes a transmission 53, a direct reducer by gear, able to transmit the motor's torque and speed to the rollers 25 when it is inserted. Optionally this transmission may be ensured by a belt.
According to the invention, it is provided a reduction of the motor's speed almost without lost with only 2 gears, when the brushless motor running at 8000 rpm, propels the wheel at a relatively low speed of 200 rpm corresponding at 14 km pro hour.
This high reduction ratio of 40 is the consequence of the roller rolling directly on the rim of the wheel 13 having an empty center.
This high reduction ratio allows operating a much faster motor than the torque motor currently used for electric scooter. Such high speed out runner brushless motor delivers a density of power 40 times higher, having as consequence that a motor of only 400 g delivers more power to the wheel 13 than a scooter's wheel of 8 kg powered by a torque motor directly connected between the rim and the fork.
The speed is controlled by an electronic system 71 managing also the unique or combined battery charge and discharge. The balance is controlled thanks to an internal longitudinal balance sensor serving the said electronic system 71 and optionally by a 2 axis longitudinal and lateral balance sensor 77. In this last option the lateral misbalance once detected by 71 cuts off the motor's power for the security reasons exposed earlier.
The combined batteries are for a non exclusive example a lithium ion polymer battery 74 able to a very high discharge rate, but an average energy storage, associated in parallel with a Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt battery 73 of the same voltage able to a very high energy storage at a reasonable cost but a low discharge rate.
The 75 loudspeaker and music player's volume is preferably controlled thanks to a speed controller 76 substantially in proportion to the speed.
The actuator 113 is driven by the said speed controller 76 and activated at a predetermined speed.
According to the invention the rollers 25 guide the wheel 13 inside or around the guide 15, even when the said flexible wheel compressed. Those rollers 25 are made of a strong and resilient material for transferring the strength of the wheel to the guide's structure and for ensuring no direct friction between those 2 parts.
According to the direction driven, the speed signal changes the polarity of the voltage, and induces a commutation of the diode's power and a commutation of the lighting color.
Any rotation translation and assemblage of parts of an electric self balanced wheel may be operated for unfolding and strap a seat on it, the example exposed is not limitative of the preferred designs and realizes the invention becoming an electric self balanced unicycle.
The invention has been described as a
Seat-less electric self-balanced wheel having
wherein it includes:
in respect with the ground clearance and with optimized static, dynamic, longitudinal, and lateral stability with safety and ergonomic design.
wherein said foot-rest may be located in the empty center of the wheel during transportation and storage.
wherein said foot-rest and said wheel may be separated parts.
wherein the said wheel may include a flexible rim.
wherein the said wheel may be guided by at least 3 rollers rolling on said rim with their axis connected to said wheel's casing.
wherein said transmission may include a rotational speed reducer transmitting the motor's power to the rim.
wherein at least 2 rollers connected to at least one foot rest may roll on said rim.
wherein at least one roller may be driven by the said motor.
wherein the said rim may include leaning spokes.
wherein a high density power battery may cooperate with a high density energy battery.
wherein a soft material may cover the wheel's casing.
wherein it may stand on the floor before and after use thanks to a lateral center of curvature of the tire located significantly higher than its center of gravity.
wherein its foot-rest surface may be a photoelectric charger of battery.
wherein one light may illuminate the way frontward thanks to said balance sensor detecting the direction combined with at least 2 light sources driven by the electronic balance sensor.
wherein 2 additional supports on the ground may be located backward on both sides being retractable by a rotation around one axis automatically deployed or retracted by an actuator driven by a speed sensor.
wherein foldable and un-foldable parts of the structure may support and become a seat when unfolded.
wherein it may be dynamically stable laterally in combination with a flywheel, an electric motor, removable mechanical and electric connections between the said electric balanced wheel and said motor and housing, said flywheel turning in the same direction as the wheel when slow, and in an opposite direction when the balanced wheel is fast.
wherein it may include no wheel's casing in combination with at least one lateral leg supports and protection.
wherein it may include a vibration generator motor mechanically secured to one foot-rest or vibration generated with the primary drive motor.
wherein it may include at least two similar removable battery packs and at least two similar placements for those batteries pack.
an electric vehicle wherein it may include at least 2 similar placements for battery packs, one battery pack inserted in one placement and one charger with a connection to the domestic power network inserted in the second placement.
an electric vehicle wherein its current speed range may be displayed thanks to a color of illumination or a color of its casing resulting from the combination of a speed detector and comparator included in the electronic balance system, at multiple colored light sources connected to said electronic, and with several transparent or translucent parts of its casing.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment and any combination of the ensegnements of the description enters into it scope.
Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the following claims:
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/000613 | 1/20/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61929137 | Jan 2014 | US |
