Apparatus and methods for control of a vehicle

US9126497B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Segway, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John David Heinzmann · Manchester, US
• Jon M. Stevens · Manchester, US
• Raymond Debruin · Merrimack, US
• Anthony Foale · New Boston, US
• Joseph A. Hoell, Jr. · Dunbarton, US
• Patrick A. Hussey · Hollis, US
• Alexander Muller · Manchester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 19, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 8, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 19, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/72
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Method for controlling a vehicle that includes a support, at least one wheel, a platform coupled to the at least one wheel, a coupling structure having a support portion coupled to the support and a platform portion coupled to the platform that allows the support portion to move or slide fore and aft with respect to the platform portion, an actuator coupled to the coupling structure to control the position of the support portion relative to the platform portion, a drive coupled to the at least one wheel to deliver power to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle and maintain the platform level, and a controller coupled to the drive to control the drive and coupled to the actuator to control the actuator.