Foot-controlled powered vehicle

摘要

A motorized vehicle for a rider standing with one foot in front of the other, having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. Load sensing means for sensing the amount of weight on each of the rider's feet are attached to or incorporated into the surfaces upon which the rider stands. An electronic control system detects when the distribution of weight between the rider's front and rear feet deviates from a certain ratio, and directs the motor to accelerate or decelerate in order to correct the change and restore the desired weight ratio. In this way the rider can control the speed of the vehicle by shifting her weight forward or backward. The front wheel is steerable by the rider's front foot. Leg contact surfaces facilitate stability as well as precision and control. Another control method is also described.

主权项

1. A motor-driven vehicle comprising:
a front wheel and a rear wheel; a front foot pedal on at least one side of said front wheel, and a rear foot pedal on at least on side of said rear wheel, for supporting the rider's feet alongside said front and rear wheels respectively, wherein said front wheel is steerable by the rider's front foot; load sensing means capable of measuring the distribution of weight between the rider's front and back feet; a motor for driving at least one of said front and rear wheels; and an electronic control system for controlling said motor;wherein said electronic control system directs said motor to accelerate or decelerate in response to shifts in the rider's weight as detected by said load sensing means, so as to substantially maintain the distribution of weight between the rider's front and back feet at a certain predetermined ratio.