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`US007950978B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Norman et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,950,978 B2
`*May 31, 2011
`
`(54) SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING CONTROL OF A TOY VEHICLE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: David A. Norman, Greenville, TX (US);
`Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Rowlett, TX
`(US); Richard D. Torrance, Greenville,
`TX (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Innovation First, Inc., Greenville, TX
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1135 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/677,529
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.21,2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007 /0135017 Al
`
`Jun. 14,2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Continuation of application No. 10/076,795, filed on
`Feb. 12, 2002, now Pat. No. 7,222,684.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/268,447, filed on Feb.
`12, 2001.
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63H 30/00
`(2006.01)
`B60T 7116
`(2006.01)
`U.S. Cl. ........ 446/454; 446/456; 446/484; 180/167;
`180/65.1
`Field of Classification Search ................. 180/65.1,
`180/167, 170,174; 446/454-456;A63H 30/00
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,732,751 A
`5/1973 Berman et al.
`4,334,221 A
`6/1982 Rosenhagen et al.
`4,336,858 A
`6/1982 Loyzim
`4,341,982 A
`7/1982 Lahti et al.
`5,056,613 A * 10/1991 Porter et al.
`5,172,665 A
`12/1992 Kuroda
`5,349,276 A
`9/1994 Mezzatesta, Jr. et al.
`5,453,672 A
`9/1995 Avitan
`5,762,532 A *
`6/1998 Ishizuka et al. ............... 446/457
`5,951,362 A
`9/1999 Siu
`5,994,853 A
`11/1999 Ribbe
`6,287,167 Bl*
`9/2001 Kondo .......................... 446/454
`6,468,127 Bl
`10/2002 Lee
`6,591,178 B2
`7/2003 Krueger et al.
`7,222,684 B2 *
`5/2007 Norman et al.
`* cited by examiner
`
`180/65.1
`
`180/178
`
`Primary Examiner - Dmitry Suhol
`Assistant Examiner - Alex F. R. P. Rada, II
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Fish & Richardson P.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system, apparatus, and method for providing a soft-start for
`a toy vehicle configured to be operated by a person. The
`method includes receiving a throttle signal operable to induce
`motion via a motor operating as a drive mechanism of the toy
`vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based on the
`throttle signal. The transition signal may be applied to effect
`operation of the motor. The transition signal may be a pulse
`width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20 and
`100 percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the
`problems of conventional control systems. The transition sig(cid:173)
`nal may be ramped in a linear or non-linear fashion. The
`system may couple the soft-start control circuit between a
`ground terminal of a battery of the toy vehicle and motor( s ),
`thereby allowing the soft-start control circuit to operate on a
`low voltage (i.e., not the high voltage of the battery).
`
`24 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`.1100
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31, 2011
`May31, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`Sheet 1 of 13
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`US 7,950,978 B2
`US 7,950,978 B2
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`(PRIOR ART)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31, 2011
`May31, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 7,950,978 B2
`US 7,950,978 B2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 7,950,978 B2
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`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31, 2011
`May31, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 7,950,978 B2
`US 7,950,978 B2
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`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31, 2011
`May31, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`Sheet 8 of 13
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`US 7,950,978 B2
`US 7,950,978 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 31, 2011
`May31, 2011
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`Sheet 9 of 13
`Sheet 9 of 13
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`US 7,950,978 B2
`US 7,950,978 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 31, 2011
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`Sheet 10 of 13
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`US 7,950,978 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31, 2011
`May31, 2011
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`Sheet 11 of 13
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`US 7,950,978 B2
`US 7,950,978 B2
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31, 2011
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 7,950,978 B2
`
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`

`

`US 7,950,978 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING CONTROL OF A TOY VEHICLE
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS CLAIM OF PRIORITY
`
`This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 10/076,795 filed on Feb. 12, 2002, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 7,222,684 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Ser. No. 60/268,447, filed Feb. 12, 2001,
`the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by ref(cid:173)
`erence.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Technical Field of the Invention
`The principals of the present invention generally relate to
`toy vehicles that may be ridden by people, and more specifi(cid:173)
`cally, but not by way oflimitation, to a system, apparatus, and
`method for softening the initiation of motion of the toy
`vehicle.
`2. Description of Related Art
`As shown in FIG. 1, toy vehicles 100 for riding on or in
`have become popular for operators 110, such as children. The
`toy vehicles 100 may generally include ride-on and ride-in
`vehicles, including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks,
`boats, airplanes, scooters, etc. Conventional control systems
`for the toy vehicles 100 have typically been limited to apply(cid:173)
`ing a direct current (DC) from a DC battery to a motor upon
`pressing or otherwise operating a "gas" pedal or other throttle
`mechanism. This type of control, however, basically operates
`as an on/off switch. In other words, when the pedal is pressed,
`the motor is applied a voltage for full power (i.e. maximum
`angular velocity). One reason for such a simplistic design is
`cost reasons.
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a conventional
`control system 200 for the toy vehicle 100. The conventional
`control system 200 includes a battery 205, foot pedal switch
`210, forward/reverse switch 215 for direction control, hi/lo
`switch 220 for fast and slow speeds, and motors 225a and
`225b. The toy vehicles 100 are typically limited to a battery
`205 for a power source rather than using other fuel sources,
`such as gasoline. The battery 205 is coupled to a foot pedal
`switch 210, which operates to provide power from the battery
`205 to other electrical components of the control system 200
`via line 212. The battery 205 supplies battery voltage V BATT·
`Additionally, the foot pedal switch 210 operates as a failsafe
`device that prevents power from incidentally or accidentally
`being applied to the motors 225 for safety purposes. To oper(cid:173)
`ate as a failsafe device, the foot pedal switch 210 is a "make
`or break" switch with a spring return to OFF as understood in
`the art. The foot pedal switch 210 is further coupled to the
`forward/reverse switch 215 via line 217 and generates a
`throttle signal 218.
`The forward/reverse switch 215 receives battery power via 55
`line 217, is operable to switch the direction of the motors 225
`from forward to reverse so as to operate the toy vehicle 100
`forward or reverse, respectively. The forward/reverse switch
`produces two signals, FWD and REV, which are applied to
`the hi/lo switch 220 via lines 222a and 222b ( collectively 60
`222). The hi/low switch 220 is further coupled to the motors
`225 and operable to drive the motors 225 in parallel or series
`to provide for high and low speed of the toy vehicle 100.
`Further, the hi/lo switch 220 is coupled to the negative termi(cid:173)
`nal 227 of the battery 205, which is electrically coupled to the 65
`low side. As understood in the art, each of the components of
`the control system 200 receive power from the battery, but
`
`2
`that power is relatively high for solid state electronics,
`thereby making alternative control systems difficult and too
`expensive for the toy industry to consider a viable option.
`There exists several problems when utilizing the control
`5 system 200, or any other basic direct drive system for con(cid:173)
`trolling toy vehicles 100. These problems may include (i)
`excessive acceleration, (ii) jerk, (iii) safety ( e.g., controlling
`and flipping the vehicle at startup), and (iv) wearing of the
`mechanical components of the drive train for the toy vehicle
`10 100. While each of these problems have existed in the toy
`vehicles 100 for a long period of time, the toy industry and
`makers of toy vehicles 100 are very cost sensitive due to
`consumer pricing demands and production costs. Solutions to
`15 these problems have been unavailable due in large part to
`pricing and technical concerns of toy manufacturers for the
`toy vehicles 100.
`With regard to excessive acceleration ( dV /dt) and jerk ( dA/
`dt), the acceleration and jerk result in a whiplash effect on the
`20 operator 110 and passenger(s). In terms of wearing of the
`mechanical components, when the toy vehicle 100 changes
`direction from forward to reverse and vice versa, a complete
`stop is not required. As all gear drives have a certain amount
`of backlash (i.e., small amounts of gap between gear teeth),
`25 the gears allow the motor to turn in the opposite direction
`without applying force to the output ( e.g., wheels) of the drive
`train until the entire backlash is reduced to zero, thereby
`subjecting the motors 225 and drive train to the full load at full
`speed at each change in direction. In other words, since the
`30 motor 225 has no significant initial resistance to movement in
`the opposite direction due to backlash, the motor 225 accel(cid:173)
`erates rapidly until the backlash is eliminated. The motor 225
`is therefore moving at near full speed in the reverse direction
`while the vehicle is still moving in a high speed in the opposite
`35 direction. Once the backlash is eliminated, the input and
`output to the drive train are rotating in the opposite direction
`and the gears exert substantial forces on one another as the
`drive train suddenly reverses direction. These substantial
`forces tend to wear out the motors, gears, and other mechani-
`40 cal components in the drive train.
`In terms of safety, toy vehicles 100, such as automobiles
`and scooters, have the ability to flip or turnover due to the
`excessive acceleration of the toy vehicle 100. Additionally,
`because of the high acceleration, the wheels are often unable
`45 to gain traction on the surface, especially a wet surface. The
`traction problem, too, may result in the toy vehicle 100
`becoming uncontrollable for the operator 110 and passenger
`(s ), especially children. Additionally, toy manufacturers have
`been developing toy vehicles 100 with more speed and power
`50 thereby resulting in the exacerbation of the problems identi(cid:173)
`fied above.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`To overcome the problems and limitations of conventional
`control systems for toy vehicles, a soft-start control circuit
`may be integrated into the conventional control systems. The
`soft-start control circuit according to the principles of the
`present invention reduces or eliminates the above-identified
`problems, including excessive acceleration, jerk, flipping of
`the vehicle, and wearing of mechanical components. By inte(cid:173)
`grating the soft-start control circuit into the existing control
`systems without having to redesign the fundamentals of the
`control systems, the toy makers quickly and easily may
`upgrade the toy vehicles for a cost that allows the toy to
`remain competitive within the consumer acceptable price
`range.
`
`

`

`US 7,950,978 B2
`
`3
`One embodiment according to the principals of the present
`invention includes a system and method for providing a soft
`start for a toy vehicle configured to be operated by a person.
`The method may include receiving a throttle signal operable
`to induce motion via a motor operating as a drive mechanism 5
`for the toy vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based
`on the throttle signal. The transition signal may be applied to
`affect operation of the motor. The transition signal may be a
`pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20
`and 100 percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the
`problems of conventional control systems and appears and
`feels more realistic. The transition signal may be ramped in a
`linear or non-linear fashion. The system according to the
`principles of the present invention may couple the soft-start
`control circuit between a negative terminal of a battery and
`motor(s) of the toy vehicle, thereby allowing the soft-start 15
`control circuit to switch a low-side voltage and not the high(cid:173)
`side of the battery. A second embodiment according to the
`principals of the present invention includes a system and
`method for disabling a toy vehicle. According to the prin(cid:173)
`ciples of the present invention, the method includes receiving 20
`an on/off signal indicative to tum on and off the motor. A
`switch signal is generated to apply to the motor to induce
`motion of the toy vehicle. Operation of the switch signal is
`monitored. An improper switch signal may be determined.
`The motor may be disengaged from the battery upon deter- 25
`mining an improper switch signal.
`
`10
`
`4
`tional control system for toy vehicles. The soft-start control
`circuit is operable to reduce excessive acceleration generated
`by the conventional control systems due to switching battery
`voltage directly to motor(s) of the toy vehicles. A soft-start
`circuit may utilize a processor for receiving signals from the
`conventional control system and applying a transition signal
`such that the motor( s) are not excessively accelerated. The
`transition signal is variable such that full power is not sub(cid:173)
`stantially instantaneously applied to the motor. In other
`words, the transition signal causes the motor to be ramped
`from no power to full power. In one embodiment, the soft-
`start control circuit is coupled between a ground terminal of a
`battery of the toy vehicle and a low-side terminal of the
`motor(s). The transition signal generated by the soft-start
`control circuit may be a pulse width modulation signal having
`a duty cycle between 20 and 100 percent, linearly ( e.g., ramp)
`or non-linearly (e.g., exponential), at startup, thereby reduc(cid:173)
`ing or eliminating excessive acceleration. Additionally, the
`soft-start control circuit may include failsafe circuitry to pro(cid:173)
`vide the operator of the toy vehicle the ability to disable the
`motors of the vehicle for safety purposes.
`FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram 300 including the
`conventional control system 200 having a soft-start control
`circuit 305 integrated therewith. As shown, the soft-start con(cid:173)
`trol circuit is coupled between the negative terminal 227 of
`the battery 205 and the hi/lo switch 220. The soft-start control
`circuit 305 further receives inputs of the positive terminal 228
`of the battery 205 and forward and reverse signals 222a and
`222b. The battery voltage V BATT simply provides operational
`30 power to the soft-start control circuit 305, and the forward and
`reverse signals 222 provide an indication that the foot pedal
`switch 210 is engaged and for indicating when a shift between
`forward and reverse occurs.
`The soft-start control circuit 305 is operable to apply a
`35 transition signal 312 on the return path 320a and 320b (col(cid:173)
`lectively 315) between the motors 225 and the battery 205.
`The soft-start control circuit 305 is integrated in the return
`path 320 of the control system 300, however, it should be
`understood that the soft-start control circuit 305 could be
`40 included in the forward path (i.e., between the positive termi(cid:173)
`nal 228 of the battery 205 and the motors 225) to affect the
`high-side voltage to the motors 225. However, by integrating
`the soft-start control circuit 305 in the return path 320, the
`circuitry is less complicated and less expensive due to not
`having to use field effect transistors as a high-side switch.
`Additionally, the soft-start control circuit 305 may be dis-
`abled via a jumper ( e.g., switch) or altering control param(cid:173)
`eters, either by software or hardware, of the soft-start control
`circuit 305.
`FIG. 4 is a more detailed exemplary block diagram 300b of
`the control system for the toy vehicle 100 providing the
`soft-start control circuit 305. The six-volt batteries 205a and
`205b are connected in series so as to provide for a total battery
`voltage V BATT of twelve volts, which is delivered to the foot
`pedal switch 210 and the soft-start control circuit 305 via line
`212. Again, the soft-start control circuit 305 utilizes the bat-
`tery voltage V BATT for a power supply, and does not switch the
`battery voltage V BATT· If soft-start control circuit 305 were
`operating in the forward path of the control system, then the
`battery voltage V BATT would be switched. The foot pedal
`switch 210 is normally open such that when the passenger 110
`running the toy vehicle 100 engages the foot pedal switch
`210, a connection is made (i.e., the switch is closed) and the
`battery voltage is applied to the rest of the control system
`65 300b. A circuit breaker 405 is utilized to prevent an overcur(cid:173)
`rent situation and to avoid damaging other electrical compo(cid:173)
`nents or the motors 225.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete understanding of the method and appa(cid:173)
`ratus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to
`the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunc(cid:173)
`tion with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is an exemplary toy vehicle being ridden by an
`operator, such as a child;
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a conventional
`control system utilized by the toy vehicle of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram including the con(cid:173)
`ventional control system of FIG. 2 having a soft-start control
`circuit that incorporates the principles of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion integrated therewith;
`FIG. 4 is a more detailed exemplary block diagram of the
`control system for the toy vehicle providing the soft-start
`control circuit of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of the soft-start
`control circuit of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic of the soft-start control
`circuit of FIGS. 3-5;
`FIG. 7 provides eight exemplary conditioned input signals
`applied to the soft-start control circuit of FIG. 6;
`FIGS. SA-SC are an exemplary set of graphs that show the
`response of the soft-start control circuit of FIG. 6 to a change 50
`of input conditions provided by the operator of the toy
`vehicle;
`FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow diagram providing a high level
`operation of the soft-start control circuit of FIGS. 3-6;
`FIG. 10 is an exemplary block diagram of a control system 55
`of a toy vehicle of FIG. 1 that does not include a foot pedal;
`FIG. 11 is an exemplary schematic of a control circuit with
`failsafe circuitry of FIG. 10; and
`FIG. 12 is an exemplary flow diagram describing the fail(cid:173)
`safe operation of the control circuit with failsafe circuitry of 60
`FIGS. 10 and 11.
`
`45
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY
`PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
`
`The principals of the present invention provide for a soft(cid:173)
`start control circuit capable of being integrated into a conven-
`
`

`

`US 7,950,978 B2
`
`5
`The forward/reverse switch 215 is shown as being nor(cid:173)
`mally open. Upon the operator 110 shifting between forward
`and reverse, the forward/reverse swi