Personal mobility device

摘要

A personal mobility vehicle is described. Generally, the vehicle includes a vehicle frame with multiple wheels rotatably connected thereto. The vehicle further includes one or more components that allow the vehicle to be leanable, yet stable. In this regard, such components may include: a fifth link suspension mechanism that couples at least one of the wheels to the vehicle frame, an offset hub motor system that is connected to at least one of the wheels, a lean adjustment system connected to at least one of the wheels, a return to neutral lean position mechanism connected to at least one of the wheels, and a differential system for a leanable vehicle. While the vehicle can seat any suitable number of occupants, in some cases, the vehicle seats one or two occupants. Other implementations are also described.

主权项

1. A personal mobility vehicle comprising:
a vehicle frame having multiple wheels connected thereto; a horizontal member that is pivotally attached to the vehicle frame at a root axis to allow the horizontal member to rotate in a first plane of motion; a first wheel connected to a first end of the horizontal member; a second wheel connected to a second end of the horizontal member; an offset hub motor system connected to at least one of the wheels; a lean adjustment system connected to at least one of the wheels; a return to neutral lean position mechanism connected to at least one of the wheel; and a first fifth link suspension mechanism coupling at least one of the wheels to the vehicle frame, wherein the first fifth link suspension mechanism comprises:
a swing arm having a first pivot joint near its first end and a second pivot joint near its second end, wherein the first pivot joint is pivotally attached to the first end of the horizontal member;a suspension arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the suspension arm is pivotally attached to the swing arm's second pivot joint, and wherein the first wheel is rotatably coupled to the suspension arm; andan extendable fifth link connected to and extending between the second end portion of the suspension arm and the swing arm, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the second wheel leans and turns in harmony with the first wheel when the first wheel leans and turns, wherein the first fifth link suspension mechanism is attached to the first wheel, wherein a second fifth link suspension mechanism is attached to the second wheel, and wherein the first and the second fifth link suspension mechanisms each comprise a biasing member so the first and second wheels are suspended independently.