Transmission systems for a mobility device

Abstract

A power-drive shoe is described herein. A power-driven shoe may include a sole, a plurality of wheels disposed below the sole, a motor in driving connection with at least a portion of the plurality of wheels, a gearbox housing containing a transmission system connecting the motor to the at least a portion of the plurality of wheels, a control circuit operably connected to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor, and one or more strap mounting plates interfaced to a flexible strap configured to affix the power-driven shoe to at least one of a user's foot or shoe. The strap mounting plate may be affixed to the gearbox housing to provide a direct load path from the flexible strap to the gearbox housing.

1 . A power-driven shoe, comprising:
 a sole;   a plurality of wheels disposed below the sole;   a motor in driving connection with at least a portion of the plurality of wheels;   a gearbox housing containing a transmission system connecting the motor to the at least a portion of the plurality of wheels;   a control circuit operably connected to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor; and   one or more strap mounting plates interfaced to a flexible strap configured to affix the power-driven shoe to at least one of a user's foot or shoe, wherein the strap mounting plate is affixed to the gearbox housing to provide a direct load path from the flexible strap to the gearbox housing.   
     
     
         2 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a heel portion and a toe portion joined via one or more translating hinges. 
     
     
         3 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wheels are separated into groups comprising at least two of a group disposed under a toe of the shoe, a group disposed under a middle of the shoe, and a group disposed under a heel of the shoe. 
     
     
         4 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a power module housed within the gearbox housing, the power module comprising a battery. 
     
     
         5 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors comprising an inertial measurement unit. 
     
     
         6 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of threaded axles interfaced to each of the plurality of wheels. 
     
     
         7 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission system comprises a geared drive-train system with bushings integrated into at least one drive gear. 
     
     
         8 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the gearbox housing comprises a first housing containing a power module and a second housing containing drive gears. 
     
     
         9 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor guard configured to limit exposure of the motor to external elements and securely affix the motor to the power-driven shoe. 
     
     
         10 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to maintain synchronization with a second power-driven shoe worn by the user through decentralized control and cross-shoe communication. 
     
     
         11 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the strap mounting plate comprises one or more adjustment loops, wherein each adjustment loop is configured to accommodate a different foot size. 
     
     
         12 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a heel strap configured to secure a rear portion of the user's foot or shoe. 
     
     
         13 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the gearbox housing comprises one or more cutouts in non-load bearing areas. 
     
     
         14 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to monitor battery status and selectively couple or decouple electrical components from the battery. 
     
     
         15 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a network adapter configured to facilitate firmware updates and data transmission. 
     
     
         16 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission system includes an anti-reverse mechanism configured to prevent backward motion. 
     
     
         17 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising an emergency braking system configured to automatically engage in response to loss of motor control signal. 
     
     
         18 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. 
     
     
         19 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the gearbox housing comprises mounting posts configured to interface the one or more strap mounting plates. 
     
     
         20 . The power-driven shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more protective covers mounted to the gearbox housing externally to one of the one or more strap mounting plates.