An electric weight sensing skateboard using one or more strain gauge systems to detect rider-induced strain on one or both trucks, an inertial sensor to detect accelerations and balance position, and wheel speed sensors. Throttle is controlled by rider position, for example, lean forward to increase speed, lean back to slow down. Several drive methods include a driver position detection velocity setpoint control, torque setpoint control, and direct velocity/torque control. A throttle remote is note required. Rider weight activates the motors.

An electric weight sensing skateboard using one or more strain gauge systems to detect rider-induced strain on one or both trucks, an inertial sensor to detect accelerations and balance position, and wheel speed sensors. Throttle is controlled by rider position, for example, lean forward to increase speed, lean back to slow down. Several drive methods include a driver position detection velocity setpoint control, torque setpoint control, and direct velocity/torque control. A throttle remote is note required. Rider weight activates the motors.

A fore-aft self-balancing transportation device, typically in a pair, one for the right foot and the other for the left foot of a rider. The platform is limited in size and positioned with a top surface wholly above the drive wheel, such that the platform straddles the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. The wheel may extend laterally to enhance side-to-side stability. The devices are configured for hands-free control, a device being driven forward or backward in response to the fore-aft tilt angle of a rider's foot on the platform (and hence, the fore-aft tilt angle of that platform). Various embodiments and features are disclosed.

A fore-aft self-balancing transportation device, typically in a pair, one for the right foot and the other for the left foot of a rider. The platform is limited in size and positioned with a top surface wholly above the drive wheel, such that the platform straddles the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. The wheel may extend laterally to enhance side-to-side stability. The devices are configured for hands-free control, a device being driven forward or backward in response to the fore-aft tilt angle of a rider's foot on the platform (and hence, the fore-aft tilt angle of that platform). Various embodiments and features are disclosed.

A rotation powered vehicle drive mechanism includes an elongated chassis slot disposed within a respective lateral exterior portion of a chassis assembly. An elongated platform slot is disposed within a respective lateral portion of a platform assembly, and is configured such that it is substantially opposed to the chassis slot. The platform assembly is pivotally secured to the chassis assembly thereby allowing for rotation through a platform rotation angle of the platform assembly with respect to the chassis assembly about a rotation axis. The rotation of the platform assembly results in an increase or decrease of a variable slot height which is measured between the chassis slot and the platform slot. A cart assembly is disposed between the chassis assembly and the platform assembly, and is operatively coupled to the chassis slot and to the platform slot. The cart assembly has a cart height and is constrained by the chassis slot and the platform slot to a position on the chassis assembly wherein the cart height is substantially equivalent to the variable slot height. In this manner the cart assembly is configured to translate along the chassis assembly upon rotation of the platform assembly with respect to the chassis assembly. A helical drive shaft is rotationally secured within the chassis assembly and operatively coupled to the cart assembly such that translation of the cart assembly results in rotational motion of the helical drive shaft. A truck assembly is pivotally secured to the chassis assembly. The truck assembly includes an axle rotationally secured to the truck assembly and operatively coupled to a plurality of wheels. The axle is operatively coupled to the helical drive shaft such that rotation of the platform assembly with respect to the chassis assembly in a first angular direction results in rotation of the axle and respective wheels in the first angular direction.

A rotation powered vehicle drive mechanism includes an elongated chassis slot disposed within a respective lateral exterior portion of a chassis assembly. An elongated platform slot is disposed within a respective lateral portion of a platform assembly, and is configured such that it is substantially opposed to the chassis slot. The platform assembly is pivotally secured to the chassis assembly thereby allowing for rotation through a platform rotation angle of the platform assembly with respect to the chassis assembly about a rotation axis. The rotation of the platform assembly results in an increase or decrease of a variable slot height which is measured between the chassis slot and the platform slot. A cart assembly is disposed between the chassis assembly and the platform assembly, and is operatively coupled to the chassis slot and to the platform slot. The cart assembly has a cart height and is constrained by the chassis slot and the platform slot to a position on the chassis assembly wherein the cart height is substantially equivalent to the variable slot height. In this manner the cart assembly is configured to translate along the chassis assembly upon rotation of the platform assembly with respect to the chassis assembly. A helical drive shaft is rotationally secured within the chassis assembly and operatively coupled to the cart assembly such that translation of the cart assembly results in rotational motion of the helical drive shaft. A truck assembly is pivotally secured to the chassis assembly. The truck assembly includes an axle rotationally secured to the truck assembly and operatively coupled to a plurality of wheels. The axle is operatively coupled to the helical drive shaft such that rotation of the platform assembly with respect to the chassis assembly in a first angular direction results in rotation of the axle and respective wheels in the first angular direction.

A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to dampen up and down motion of a board relative to the axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems include a shock absorber, a rocker, a pushrod, bell cranks, and/or a swingarm that couple the axle to the board. The suspension system may be disposed completely below a foot deck of the vehicle.

A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to dampen up and down motion of a board relative to the axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems include a shock absorber, a rocker, a pushrod, bell cranks, and/or a swingarm that couple the axle to the board. The suspension system may be disposed completely below a foot deck of the vehicle.

An auto-balancing transportation device having a compact form. Left and right foot platform sections are coupled for fore-aft tilt angle movement relative to one another. Left and right wheels are provided under the respective foot platforms. With a rider's weight directed primarily downward onto the wheels and not onto the coupling structure, the coupling structure may have sufficient space to house the battery. In addition, more efficient and lighter weight supports and bearing arrangements may be used in the coupling structure. Various embodiments are disclosed.

An auto-balancing transportation device having a compact form. Left and right foot platform sections are coupled for fore-aft tilt angle movement relative to one another. Left and right wheels are provided under the respective foot platforms. With a rider's weight directed primarily downward onto the wheels and not onto the coupling structure, the coupling structure may have sufficient space to house the battery. In addition, more efficient and lighter weight supports and bearing arrangements may be used in the coupling structure. Various embodiments are disclosed.