System and method for providing gyroscopic stabilization to a wheeled vehicle

Abstract

This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles that affords the rider no restriction on the full range of movements (banks, leans, etc.), while providing greater stability during turns and other maneuvers so that an unintentional bank or tilt (potentially causing a fall) is less likely, even at slow speeds and startup. A rotating mass of predetermined mass-value and radial mass-distribution is provided coaxially with the front axle. The mass is supported on bearings and freewheels with respect to the rotation of the front wheel. It can be induced to spin significantly faster than the front wheel thereby generating a gyroscopic effect at the front wheel about the axle. The gyroscopic effect limits the rider's ability to execute excessive steering, thereby preventing jackknife movements. The mass can be an electric-motor-driven flywheel within a shell housing that includes a drive tire battery, control system and drive motor.

1 . A system for stabilizing a wheeled vehicle comprising:
 a wheel assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted on a steerable wheel mounting of a wheeled vehicle to stabilize the wheeled vehicle, the wheel assembly comprising:   a first outer shell half and a second outer half that nest together to define an enclosure with a rim that supports a tire, the steerable wheel including inner hub and an axle that securely holds the wheel assembly with respect to the mounting;   a flywheel assembly mounted in the enclosure with respect to the steerable wheel that is rotatably mounted on the axle with a bearing structure therebetween to allow the flywheel to rotate freely with respect to the inner hub; and   an internal drive member that is driven by an electric motor mounted in the enclosure to thereby initiate rotation of the flywheel by contact with a surface of the flywheel assembly, so as to create a gyroscopic force that induces precession on the steerable wheel and reduce the unintended tilting of the vehicle during steering of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the flywheel is structured such that a greater portion of flywheel mass is displaced proximate an outer edge of the flywheel, and an inner portion of the flywheel is narrower and includes lesser mass relative to the outer edge. 
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the drive mechanism includes a groove-seated driving tire that engages a surface of the flywheel proximate an outer edge of the flywheel. 
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising a motor mount assembly that secures the electric motor within the steerable wheel and that movably biases the rotating drive member against a surface of the flywheel. 
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 5  further comprising a pair of opposing springs that bias the rotating member into contact with the flywheel and a damper assembly that damps deflection of the springs. 
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising a charging socket located on the shell to enable charge of at least one battery enclosed within the shell that powers the electric motor. 
     
     
         8 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising a push button operatively connected to the electric motor to commence rotation of the flywheel. 
     
     
         9 . A method for stabilizing a wheeled vehicle comprising the steps of:
 initiating rotation of a flywheel mounted with respect to a steerable wheel of the vehicle before the start of forward motion of the vehicle, so that the flywheel is applying gyroscopic force to the steerable wheel at the start of forward motion of the vehicle, thereby inducing precession during steering of the wheel; and   responding to crossed forces created by the precession induced in the steerable wheel by motion so as to reduce unintended tilting of the vehicle.   
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the step of initiating rotation comprises driving an internal rotating drive member with an electric motor to induce rotation of the flywheel, thereby creating the gyroscopic force for inducing precession on the steerable wheel and reducing unintended tilting of the vehicle during steering of the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  further comprising visually revealing on at least one of the first outer shell and the second outer shell, with a plurality of transparent regions, at least a portion of a surface of the flywheel. 
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 9  further comprising controlling the electric motor to deliver power to the motor from a rechargeable battery, including providing power from the electric motor to the battery when the flywheel is directed to spin down.