DRIVE COMPONENTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/1 14,51 1 filed February 10, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. FIELD

[0002] The specification relates generally to motorized vehicles, and specifically to vehicles having at least one motorized wheel.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional, human-powered vehicles, such as bicycles, skateboards and scooters, typically have many limitations. For example, the distance a user can travel using such a vehicle is limited by the user's strength and endurance. As a result, longer journeys may be impractical. Furthermore, such vehicles are not typically available to users that have mobility problems without extensive and expensive modifications. As a result, many users regularly choose to access conventional motorized vehicles for many journeys.

[0004] However, conventional motorized vehicles also have many limitations. Such vehicles typically employ a complex propulsion system. These propulsion systems can include a significant number of components. As a result, the form and size of such conventional motorized vehicles can be quite limited in order to provide for proper placement of each of these components. Furthermore, these components can be quite heavy, adding to the weight of the vehicle. As a result, a significant amount of power is usually required to propel vehicle alone, let alone including the user or any items they may want to take on the journey. The complexity of these propulsion systems can also make it quite difficult and expensive to repair components. Typically, the entire vehicle must be taken out of service in order to make the repair, leaving the user without use of their vehicle until the repair is complete.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to one implementation, there is provided a vehicle comprising: a plurality of wheels wherein at least one of the wheels is a motorized wheel; a motor disposed interior to the motorized wheel, the motor remaining stationary as the motorized wheel rotates; a drive train coupled to the motor and disposed interior to the motorized wheel, the drive train configured for transmitting power from the motor to the motorized wheel; a power source for the motor; and a control system for the motor.

[0006] According to some implementations, the control system includes a controller disposed interior of the motorized wheel and a user interface for engaging the controller. The control system may govern at least one of: starting and stopping the motor, a speed of the motor, a direction of the motor and power provided by the motor to the motorized wheel.

[0007] According to some implementations, the power source is disposed interior to the motorized wheel.

[0008] According to some implementations, the power source is rechargeable. The charging port may be disposed interior of the motorized wheel and remains stationary as the motorized wheel rotates. The power source may include at least one battery.

[0009] According to some implementations, the user interface includes at least one of: an actuator configured to manually enable and disable power from the power source for the motor, and a portable electronic device configured to wirelessly communicate with the controller. The actuator may include one of a button and a switch. The portable electronic device may include a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may include a remote control device configured to communicate with the controller by radio frequency. [0010] According to some implementations, the motorized wheel includes an encasement that includes at least two encasement portions configured to be coupled to one another to retain the motor and the drive train in the interior of the motorized wheel. The motorized wheel may include a tire coupled to the encasement and the encasement is furthered configured to retain the tire to the motorized wheel.

[0011] According to some implementations, the vehicle may be any one of: a golf cart, a mobility vehicle, an aged care vehicle, a go-cart, an electric car, a quad bike and a skateboard.

[0012] According to some implementations, a vehicle is provided, and includes a vehicle main portion, a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the vehicle main portion, a motor, a drive train, a power source for the motor, and a control system. At least one of the wheels is a motorized wheel that has an exterior wall structure that defines a contained volume. The motor is within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure of the motorized wheel. The motor includes a stator and a rotor. The drive train is within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure of the motorized wheel. The drive train operatively connects the motor to the motorized wheel to permit driving of the motorized wheel by the motor. The power source for the motor is within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure of the motorized wheel. The control system is for the motor and includes a controller. The controller is within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure of the motorized wheel. The controller is configured to receive commands from a user interface that is external to the exterior wall structure of the motorized wheel. The controller, the power source and the stator remain substantially stationary in the contained volume of the exterior wall structure of the motorized wheel when the motorized wheel is driven by the motor.

[0013] In another aspect, a vehicle is provided with a motorized wheel wherein the motorized wheel defines a contained volume. There is a motor and a drive train in the contained volume. The motorized wheel, the motor and the drive train are all removable as a unit from the rest of the vehicle, optionally without the need for tools (i.e. without tools). Optionally, other components may be provided in the contained volume of the wheel, such as, one or more of a power source (e.g. a battery pack) and a controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a better understanding of the various implementations described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] Fig. 1 depicts a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a motorized wheel, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0016] Fig. 2 depicts an enlarged rear perspective view of the vehicle of Fig. 1 , according to non-limiting implementations;

[0017] Fig. 3A depicts a front perspective view of a motorized wheel, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0018] Fig. 3B depicts a rear perspective view of a motorized wheel, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0019] Fig. 4 depicts an exploded view of the motorized wheel of Figs. 3A and 3B, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0020] Fig. 5A depicts an inner assembly of the motorized wheel of Figs. 3A and 3B, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0021] Fig. 5B depicts a cross-section view of the motorized wheel of Figs. 3A and 3B, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0022] Fig. 6 depicts a front perspective view of a motor, drive train and controller of the motorized wheel of Figs. 3A and 3B, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0023] Fig. 7 depicts a rear perspective view of the motor, drive train and controller of Fig. 6, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0024] Fig. 8 depicts a front perspective view of a motor, drive train, controller and an encasement portion of the motorized wheel of Figs. 3A and 3B, according to non-limiting implementations; [0025] Fig. 9 depicts a front perspective view of a motor, drive train and controller of the motorized wheel of Figs. 3A and 3B, and in which the bracket coupled to the controller is more clearly shown, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0026] Fig. 10 depicts a remote control device, according to non-limiting implementations;

[0027] Fig. 1 1 depicts a mobility vehicle having more than one motorized wheel, according to non-limiting implementations; and

[0028] Fig. 12 depicts a variant of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1 , with the motorized wheel removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Described herein are vehicles having at least one motorized wheel. In particular, a motor is located interior to the at least one wheel and remains stationary while the wheel rotates (i.e. the motor has a stator and a rotor, and, while the rotor turns about its own axis in order to drive the wheel, the stator remains stationary in the sense that the stator does not turn with the wheel). It will be noted that the motor does, or course, move relative to the ground surface on which the vehicle may be driven, but is still for the purposes of this disclosure considered to remain stationary in the sense that it does not rotate with the wheel even though it is within the wheel. A drive train, also located interior to the at least one wheel, is coupled to the motor and is configured to transmit power from the at least one motor to the at least one wheel. A power source and a control system for the motor are also provided.

[0030] It is understood that for the purpose of this disclosure, language of "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "one or more of X, Y and Z" can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ).

[0031] It is also understood that the terms "couple", "coupled", "connect", "connected" are not limited to direct mating between the described components, but also contemplate the use of intermediate components to achieve the connection or coupling. [0032] Furthermore, for the purpose of this disclosure, it is understood that the term "fastener" refers to any device(s), mechanism(s) or manner suitable for achieving the desired connection between the described components.

[0033] Furthermore, for convenience, the electrical connections between the described components have been omitted in the figures.

[0034] Fig. 1 depicts vehicle 100 having conventional (i.e. unpowered) wheel 105 and motorized wheel 1 10. Although vehicle 100 is depicted as a scooter, other types of wheeled vehicles are contemplated. For example, vehicle 100 can include a golf cart, a mobility vehicle (such as mobility vehicle 400 depicted in Fig. 1 1 ), an aged care vehicle, a go cart, an electric car, a quad bike and a skateboard, such as an off road skate board. Furthermore, the wheeled configuration of vehicle 100 is not limited to a single motorized wheel or at least one conventional wheel. According to some implementations, vehicle 100 includes more than one motorized wheel, such as motorized wheel 1 10. For example, vehicle 100 includes two or more motorized wheels. According to some implementations, vehicle 100 does not include a conventional wheel, such as conventional wheel 105. For example, the vehicle 100 may include a bicycle having two motorized wheels.

[0035] Vehicle 100, as depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, further includes deck 1 15, stem 120 and handlebars 125a, 125b coupled to stem 120. The deck 1 15, the stem 120 and the handlebars 125a, 125b together make up a vehicle main portion 199. Deck 1 15 is coupled to stem 120, conventional wheel 105 and motorized wheel 1 10. Wheel guard 130, also coupled to deck 1 15, is provided to prevent a user from accidentally touching motorized wheel 1 10 during rotation of motorized wheel 1 10. Vehicle 100 also includes user interface 135, which is discussed further below.

[0036] Referring to Figs. 3A, 3B and 4, motorized wheel 1 10 includes tire 140, encasement 145 configured to retain tire 140, bearing retainers 150a and 150b, spindle 155 and inner assembly 160. According to some implementations, encasement 145 includes at least two encasement portions in which each one of the encasement portions are configured to be coupled to with another one of the encasement portions to retain the motor and the assembly (described below) interior to the at least one motorized wheel, such as motorized wheel 1 10. For example, as depicted in Fig. 4, encasement 145 includes two parts, a first encasement portion 145a and a second encasement portion 145b (also referred to herein as encasement portions 145a, 145b) are coupled to each other to enclose inner assembly 160. In the depicted implementation, encasement portions 145a, 145b are coupled to each other by fastener 165. However, any suitable method or means of coupling encasement portions 145a, 145b to each other to retain inner assembly 160 is contemplated. For example, encasement portions 145a, 145b may be provided with complementary mating portions that allow for encasement portions 145a, 145b to be coupled to each other. For example, according to some implementations, first encasement portion 145a has a circumferential projection that can be slidably received by a complementary circumferential channel on second encasement portion 145b. According to some implementations, first encasement portion 145a is provided with circumferential threads that are configured to engage with complementary circumferential threads provided on second encasement 145b. According to some implementations, encasement portions 145a, 145b are provided with complementary mating portions that enable first encasement 145a to be snap-fitted to second encasement portion 145b. Furthermore, although encasement 145 is depicted as having two portions, namely encasement portions 145a, 145b, any method or means of retaining inner assembly 160 interior to motorized wheel 1 10 is contemplated. The encasement 145 provides an exterior wall structure that defines a contained volume in which other components are held.

[0037] Furthermore, tire 140 can include any suitable material for providing the desired traction and support for motorized wheel 1 10 to travel along a surface. For example, tire 140 can include one or more of rubber and plastic.

[0038] Although the depicted implementation of motorized wheel 1 10 includes tire 140, according to some implementations motorized wheel 1 10 is configured such that the desired traction and support can be provided without tire 140.

[0039] As depicted in Figs. 5A and 5B, inner assembly 160 includes a motor 170 (which may also be referred to as a drive motor) and a drive train 175. Both the drive motor 170 and the drive train 175 are disposed interior to the motorized wheel 1 10 (i.e. both the drive motor 170 and the drive train 175 may be within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure formed by the encasement 145). Furthermore, the motor 170 is configured to remain stationary as the motorized wheel 1 10 rotates (i.e. as noted above, the motor has a stator and a rotor, and, while the rotor turns about its own axis in order to drive the motorized wheel 1 10, the stator remains stationary in the sense that the stator does not turn with the motorized wheel 1 10). It will be noted that the motor does, or course, move relative to the ground surface since the motor 170 stays with the vehicle that is drive and so the motor is not stationary relative to the ground surface, but the motor 170 is still, for the purposes of this disclosure, considered to remain stationary in the sense that it does not rotate with the wheel even though it is within the wheel. In other words, the motor 170 (the stator in particular) does not rotate with the motorized wheel 1 10, and instead remains in approximately the same position when the motorized wheel 1 10 is driven by the motor 170 to rotate. For example, as depicted in Fig. 7, the motor 170 is coupled to a motor plate 180, which may also be referred to as an internal stationary support structure 180 by fasteners 185. The motor plate 180 remains stationary during rotation of the motorized wheel 1 10. In the depicted implementation, motor 170 includes an electric radio-controlled motor. However, the motor 170 can be any motor suitable for driving rotation of the motorized wheel 1 10 to rotate and capable of being retained interior to the motorized wheel 1 10.

[0040] The stator of the motor 170 may be considered to be everything but the rotor (i.e. it may be considered to be the sum of the non-rotating parts of the motor 170). The rotor may be considered to be the sum of the rotating parts of the motor 170. Thus, in Figure 7, the stator is shown at 171 and includes, among other things, the motor housing, while the rotor is shown at 172 and includes, among other things, the motor's output shaft. In this disclosure, it may be said in different ways that the motor 170 remains stationary, during operation of the motorized wheel 1 10. However, it will be understood to mean that the stator (i.e. the non- rotating parts of the motor) remain stationary during operation of the motorized wheel 1 10. [0041] The drive train 175 transfers power from motor 170 to the motorized wheel 1 10 and is within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure. As shown in Figs. 5A to 8, drive train 175 may include the motor pulley 190, first intermediate pulley 192, second intermediate pulley 208, output pulley 205 mounted to output shaft 220, first belt 195 and second belt 210. First intermediate pulley 192 and second intermediate pulley 208 are mounted on the same shaft (not shown). As a result, first intermediate pulley 192 can drive second intermediate pulley 208. Furthermore, the output shaft 220 is fixedly mounted to the encasement 145 (specifically, encasement portion 145a) via flange 225 by, for example, fasteners in bores 230 (see Fig. 5B).

[0042] In operation, motor pulley 190 drives rotation of first intermediate pulley 192 via first belt 195. The first intermediate pulley 192 then drives rotation of the second intermediate pulley 208 and output pulley 205 together via the second belt 210. The output shaft 220 rotates with the second intermediate pulley 208. Furthermore, output shaft 220 rotates about stationary spindle 155 via bearings 215. Since the output shaft 220 is fixedly mounted to the encasement 145, the encasement 145, as well as the attached tire 140, rotates with the output shaft 220.

[0043] It is understood that drive train 175 is not limited to the depicted implementation. Instead, any configuration of drive train 175 that would transmit power from motor 170 to motorized wheel 1 10 is contemplated.

[0044] Referring to Fig. 5A, vehicle 100 further includes power source 235 for motor 170 within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure. In the depicted implementation, power source 235 is disposed interior to motorized wheel 1 10 and forms part of inner assembly 160. As depicted, power source 235 is retained by plate 240, which is coupled to motor plate 180 by, for example, fasteners 245. The location of power source 235 is not limited to the interior of motorized wheel 1 10. For example, according to some implementations, power source 235 is disposed exterior to motorized wheel 1 10.

[0045] Power source 235 may include at least one battery. In the depicted implementation, power source 235 is a battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries. Furthermore, power source 235 may be rechargeable. According to some implementations, vehicle 100 further includes a charging port 250 (Fig. 5) for power source 235. Charging port 250 may be disposed interior of motorized wheel 1 10 and remains stationary as motorized wheel 1 10 rotates.

[0046] It is understood that power source 235 is not limited to a battery pack and that any power source suitable for suitable for motor 170 is contemplated.

[0047] Referring to Figs. 1 and 5 to 9, control system 255 (the example components being outlined in Fig. 1 ) for motor 170 is provided. According to some implementations, control system 255 governs one or more of: starting and stopping motor 170, a speed of motor 170, a direction of motor 170 and power provided by motor 170 to motorized wheel 1 10.

[0048] According to the depicted implementation, control system 255 includes: a controller 260 (Figs. 5 to 9) disposed interior of motorized wheel 1 10 and retained within encasement 145 (i.e. the controller 260 is within the contained volume of the exterior wall structure), and a user interface 265 for engaging controller 260, wherein the user interface 265 is external to the exterior wall structure.

[0049] As depicted, controller 260 is local to motor 170 and is electrically coupled to motor 170 and power source 235. For convenience, the electrical connections between controller 260, motor 170 and power source 235 are not depicted. As depicted in Fig. 9, controller 260 may be coupled to bracket 270, which is coupled to motor plate 180.

[0050] User interface 265 may include one or more of: an actuator configured to manually enable and disable power from the power source for the motor 170 (such as actuator 280 depicted in Fig. 1 ) and a portable electronic device configured to wirelessly communicate with controller 260. Actuator 280 may include a button or a switch to manually enable and disable power source 235 for motor 170. The portable electronic device may be a wireless communication device, which may be a remote control device configured to communicate with controller 260 by radio frequency (RF). For example, user interface 265 can include the remote control device 285 depicted in Fig. 10. Remote control device 285 has ON/OFF switch 290, display 295 and dial 300 for providing selective control of power provided to motor 170 by power source 235. The portable electronic device may also include one of a mobile computing device, a portable computing device, a tablet computing device, a laptop computing device, a PDA (personal digital assistant) device, a cellphone, a smartphone and the like. Thus, in some implementations, the controller 260 is configured to receive commands from the user interface 265 but the user interface 265 is not provided by the same business entity to the customer as the vehicle 100. In other words, in some implementations, the vehicle 100 includes its own user interface 265. In some implementations the vehicle 100 does not come with its own user interface 265 because the user is expected to provide their own. In yet other implementations, the vehicle 100 may come with its own user interface and may have a controller that is capable of receiving commands from a user interface that is provided by the user.

[0051] According to some implementations, user interface 265 is configured to provide a user with technical data from motorized wheel 1 10, such as power use and speed. For example, technical data may be provided by display 295.

[0052] As discussed above, vehicles having more than one wheel, and further, more than one motorized wheel, are contemplated. For example, mobility vehicle 400 (depicted in Fig. 1 1 ) includes four wheels, first conventional wheel 405a, second conventional wheel 405b (also referred herein as wheels 405a, 405b) and first motorized wheel 410a and second motorized wheel410b (also referred to herein as wheels 410a, 410b). First motorized wheel 410a and second motorized wheel 410b include features and components alike to those of motorized wheel 1 10. However, first motorized wheel 410a and second motorized wheel 410b are further modified to be suitable for a mobility vehicle application. For example, first motorized wheel 410a and second motorized wheel 410b are larger in diameter than motorized wheel 1 10. Mobility vehicle 400 further includes seat 415 and steering assembly 420.

[0053] According to some implementations, first motorized wheel 410a and second motorized wheel 410b are configured to be independently controlled. For example, vehicle 400 may be configured such that the amount of power provided to a motor for the first motorized wheel 410a can be different than the amount of power provided to a motor for the second motorized wheel 410b during operation of motorized wheels 410a, 41 Ob. For example, when the vehicle 400 negotiates a turn the wheels closest to the center of the turn (i.e. the inside wheels) may be driven at a lower speed than the outside wheels, since the inside wheels travel less far than the outside wheels throughout the turn. According to some implementations, vehicle 400 further includes a central control system (not shown) that is configured to control each one of motorized wheels 410a, 410b.

[0054] According to some implementations, each of wheels 405a, 405b, 410a and 410b are motorized. For example, according to some implementations, each of wheels 405a, 405b, 410a and 410b are configured in the same manner as motorized wheel 1 10.

[0055] Having at least one motorized wheel may have certain advantages over a conventional, human powered vehicle without at least one motorized wheel. For example, having at least one motorized wheel may enable persons with mobility issues to use vehicles not typically available to them without significant re- modification, such as bicycles, scooters and skateboards. Furthermore, since the power is provided by a motor rather than a human being, a user of such a vehicle may be able to travel farther and for a longer period of time than purely on human power.

[0056] Furthermore, a vehicle having at least one motorized wheel may have certain advantages over conventional motorized vehicles. For example, having the motor and drive train local to the wheel provides for a less complex, more compact propulsion system. In comparison, conventional motorized vehicles provide power to the wheels via a complex, centralized propulsion system. Such centralized propulsion systems are typically quite heavy and restrict the overall size and shape of the vehicle in order to properly retain such a propulsion system. As a result, maintenance and repair of the described motorized vehicle may be less onerous. For example, according to some implementations, if the motor of one the motorized wheels fails, then that motorized wheel can be easily switched out with another motorized wheel, swiftly restoring power to the vehicle while the failed motor is being repaired. In contrast, with conventional motorized vehicles, repairing the motor usually requires more extensive work in which the vehicle cannot be used until the repair work is completed. Furthermore, having the motor remain stationary while the motorized wheel rotates reduces the complexity of the motor's connections with other components since movement of the motor does not have to be taken into account in configuring the related components.

[0057] Reference is made to Fig. 12, which shows a variant of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , showing that the motorized wheel 1 10 may be easily removable from the vehicle main portion 199. For example, the two ends of the spindle 155 may be threaded and may pass through spindle receiving apertures 201 in the deck 1 15. The ends of the spindle 155 that extend out from the outer ends of the apertures 201 can be held in place via wing nuts 202. To remove the wheel 1 10, one simply has to remove both wing nuts 202 and slide the wheel 1 10 laterally until one end of the spindle 155 comes out of the associated aperture 201 . Then the wheel 1 10 can be angled slightly and slid essentially laterally to remove the second spindle end from the second aperture 201 . By making the wheel 1 10 easily removable, the wheel 1 10 can be removed when the vehicle 100 is parked in a public area so that the remaining part of the vehicle 100 is much less desirable to a would-be thief, since all the motor 170, the controller 260, the drive train 175 and the power source 235 are all removed with the removal of the wheel 1 10 in the embodiment shown. Even in embodiments where fewer components are provided in the wheel 1 10 it is advantageous to inhibit thieves, by making the motorized wheel 1 10 removable from the vehicle main portion 199. It is particularly advantageous for the wheel 1 10 to be removable without tools (e.g. via the wing nuts 202, a quick-release mechanism (not shown) or any other suitable structure).

[0058] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.