A vehicle comprising a framework in form of beam, wheel, drive and braking system, while the vehicle is partially loaded with the weigh of user and the user stands on roller skates and holds the vehicle on the beam so that the wheel is behind the user and contacts with its tire the road surface; and when the user activates the drive, the wheel starts rotating and, as a result of friction between the wheel's tire and the road surface, there arises a force making the vehicle with user move. Additionally, another technique for operation of the same vehicle is being offered, at which the vehicle on the move is positioned in the front of user.

The present invention refers to an electric vehicle. As compared with the solution in prior art which is that assembling the finished product of wheel hub motor with the casing, the inventor of present invention creatively dismantles the structure of the original finished product of wheel hub motor with discarding at least one hub cover. Such solution simplifies the structures and reduces the weights of the wheel hub motor and the electric vehicle, moreover, it can reduce the gap between the casing and the wheel hub motor and thus decrease the overall thickness of the electric vehicle, especially decrease the thickness of the electric unicycle for easy to carry.

The present invention refers to an electric vehicle. As compared with the solution in prior art which is that assembling the finished product of wheel hub motor with the casing, the inventor of present invention creatively dismantles the structure of the original finished product of wheel hub motor with discarding at least one hub cover. Such solution simplifies the structures and reduces the weights of the wheel hub motor and the electric vehicle, moreover, it can reduce the gap between the casing and the wheel hub motor and thus decrease the overall thickness of the electric vehicle, especially decrease the thickness of the electric unicycle for easy to carry.

Foot placement sensor and self-balancing vehicles having same. The foot placement sensor may be configured in or with a self-balancing transportation device that has a least a first foot platform. The sensor may include an emitter of electromagnetic radiation (or other suitable signal) that is propagated, at least in part, over a portion of the foot platform and a receptor positioned to receive this emission. Interruption of the emitted radiation at the receptor may indicate the presence of a user's foot at the platform. One suitable emission type is infrared light, among other suitable types. Various embodiments are disclosed including in two-wheel, one-wheel and paired-wheel self-balancing vehicles.

A self-balancing transportation device having improved shock absorbing ability and operation. Several embodiments are disclosed including a single wheel or wheel structure device with foot platforms disposed for angular movement about an axis of rotation that is non-collinear with the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. Single and multiple wheel devices are disclosed as well as devices having independently movable foot platforms, and devices having load platforms that rotate independently and are movable longitudinally with respect to one another, among other embodiments.

A self-balancing transportation device having improved shock absorbing ability and operation. Several embodiments are disclosed including a single wheel or wheel structure device with foot platforms disposed for angular movement about an axis of rotation that is non-collinear with the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. Single and multiple wheel devices are disclosed as well as devices having independently movable foot platforms, and devices having load platforms that rotate independently and are movable longitudinally with respect to one another, among other embodiments.

A vehicle for a standing rider has a single surface-engaging wheel; a pair of foot supports, one on each side of the wheel, for supporting a standing rider astride the wheel in a position facing forward; a frame that mounts the wheel and forms a forward riser extending up and forward from the wheel to a position to be grasped by a rider standing on the foot supports to enable the rider to achieve balance and stability while standing and riding. A rearward riser extends up and rearward of the wheel to a position to be grasped by a pusher to enable the pusher to advance, balance and guide the vehicle.

A vehicle for a standing rider has a single surface-engaging wheel; a pair of foot supports, one on each side of the wheel, for supporting a standing rider astride the wheel in a position facing forward; a frame that mounts the wheel and forms a forward riser extending up and forward from the wheel to a position to be grasped by a rider standing on the foot supports to enable the rider to achieve balance and stability while standing and riding. A rearward riser extends up and rearward of the wheel to a position to be grasped by a pusher to enable the pusher to advance, balance and guide the vehicle.

Powered unicycles are disclosed. In some embodiments, the powered unicycle can be self-balancing, and can include a forward foot support located in front of the wheel of the unicycle in the direction of travel of the wheel, and a rearward foot support located behind the wheel of the unicycle. The powered unicycle can include at least one sensor configured to sense a change in position or orientation of the powered unicycle due to a shift in weight of a user standing or sitting on the unicycle, and control the operation of a hub-mounted drive motor to move the powered unicycle based on the sensed change in position or orientation of the powered unicycle.

Powered unicycles are disclosed. In some embodiments, the powered unicycle can be self-balancing, and can include a forward foot support located in front of the wheel of the unicycle in the direction of travel of the wheel, and a rearward foot support located behind the wheel of the unicycle. The powered unicycle can include at least one sensor configured to sense a change in position or orientation of the powered unicycle due to a shift in weight of a user standing or sitting on the unicycle, and control the operation of a hub-mounted drive motor to move the powered unicycle based on the sensed change in position or orientation of the powered unicycle.