FORE-AFT SELF-BALANCING TRANSPORTATION DEVICE WITH LOW AND CENTERED FOOT PLATFORM

摘要

A motorized, fore-aft self-balancing transportation device that may include a single wheel structure with a drive motor, a battery and first and second foot platforms located on opposite sides of the wheel. The device may be uniquely be arranged such that the motor and battery are positioned such that there is space within the wheel envelope for a portion of the foot platform (positioned near or within the envelope), thereby placing the weight of the rider low and close to the center of gravity of the device. Various battery and motor arrangements are disclosed, as are different drive mechanisms and component redundancy to assure safe operation in the event of failure.

主权项

1. A motorized, fore-aft self-balancing transportation device, comprising:
a single wheel structure having a wheel; a position sensor; a first drive motor, a first battery and a first control circuit, the first control circuit driving the wheel toward fore-aft self-balancing based on position information from the sensor; first and second foot platforms located on opposite sides of the wheel, each having a heel region; wherein one of the first drive motor and first battery are located forward or rearward in the device; and wherein the first motor and the first battery are arranged in the device so that a first unrestricted open air leg recess and a second unrestricted open air leg recess are defined that are aligned substantially above the heel region of the first foot platform and the second foot platform, respectively.