SELF-BALANCING VEHICLES

摘要

The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for providing stability to a vehicle using one or more auxiliary support members on the vehicle, such as lateral sides of the vehicle. The auxiliary support members may extend away from the vehicle body to approach and/or touch a support surface and provide stability and in some cases additional centripetal force to facilitate steering of the vehicle. The auxiliary support members may also retract towards the vehicle.

主权项

1. A self-balancing vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle body having a longitudinal axis; at least two wheels aligned substantially along said longitudinal axis, wherein each of said at least two wheels is configured to support said vehicle body against a support surface; at least two auxiliary support members coupled to said vehicle body, wherein said at least two auxiliary support members extend away from and/or retract towards said vehicle body independently from one another such that at least one of the at least two auxiliary support members contributes to stability of said vehicle body with respect to said support surface; at least one balancing member coupled to said vehicle body, wherein said balancing member provides self-balancing of said vehicle body against said support surface; and a controller in communication with said at least two auxiliary support members and said at least one balancing member, wherein said controller comprises one or more computer processors that are individually or collectively programmed to direct at least one of said at least two auxiliary support members to extend away from and/or retract towards said vehicle body in an independent manner, when said balancing member does not provide sufficient stability to facilitate self-balancing of said vehicle body with respect to said support surface when said vehicle is in motion, thereby providing stability to said vehicle while said vehicle is in motion.