Patent Application
`Docket No. 14489-004002
`
`SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTROL OF A TOY
`VEHICLE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This Application for Patent claims the benefit of priority
`
`from,
`
`and hereby
`
`incorporates by reference
`
`for any and all
`
`purposes the entire disclosure of, co-pending U.S. Provisional
`
`5
`
`Application
`
`for Patent having Serial No.
`
`60/268,447,
`
`filed
`
`February 12, 2001.
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`90211367. DOC
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`1
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`1 of 224
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`Docket No. 14489-004002
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`SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTROL OF A TOY
`VEHICLE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This Application for Patent claims the benefit of priority
`
`from,
`
`and hereby
`
`incorporates by reference
`
`for any and all
`
`purposes the entire disclosure of, co-pending U.S. Provisional
`
`5
`
`Application
`
`for Patent having Serial No.
`
`60/268,447,
`
`filed
`
`February 12, 2001.
`
`90211367. DOC
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`1
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`1 of 224
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`
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`Patent Application
`Docket No. 14489-004002
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Technical Field of the Invention
`
`The principals of the present invention generally relate to
`
`toy vehicles
`
`that may
`
`be
`
`ridden
`
`by people,
`
`and more
`
`5
`
`specifically, but not by way of
`
`limitation,
`
`to
`
`a
`
`system,
`
`apparatus, and method for softening the initiation of motion of
`
`the toy vehicle.
`
`Description of Related Art
`
`10
`
`As shown in FIGURE 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,
`
`boa ts, airplanes, scooters, etc. Conventional control systems
`
`15
`
`for the toy vehicles 100 have typically been limited to applying
`
`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,
`
`20
`
`the motor is applied a voltage for full power
`
`(i.e. maximum
`
`angular velocity)
`
`One reason for such a simplistic design is
`
`cost reasons.
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`FIGURE 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
`
`5
`
`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 2 0 5
`
`to
`
`10
`
`other electrical components of the control system 200 via line
`
`212.
`
`The
`
`battery
`
`205
`
`supplies battery voltage
`
`VBATT.
`
`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 operate
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`20
`
`The forward/ reverse switch 215 receives battery power via
`
`line 21 7, 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
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`Docket No. 14489-004002
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`produces
`
`two signals,
`
`FWD and REV, which are applied to
`
`the
`
`hi/lo switch 220 via lines 222a and 222b
`
`(collectively 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
`
`5
`
`provide for high and low speed of the toy vehicle 100. Further,
`
`the hi/lo switch 220 is coupled to the negative terminal 227 of
`
`the battery 205, which is electrically coupled to the low side.
`
`As understood in the art, each of the components of the control
`
`system 200 receive power from the battery, but that power is
`
`10
`
`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
`
`system 200,
`
`or
`
`any other basic direct drive
`
`system
`
`for
`
`15
`
`controlling 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 0. While each of these problems have existed in
`
`20
`
`the toy vehicles 100 for a long period of time, the toy industry
`
`and makers of toy vehicles 10 0 are very cost sensitive due to
`
`consumer pricing demands and production costs.
`
`Solutions
`
`to
`
`these problems have been unavailable due
`
`in
`
`large part
`
`to
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`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
`
`5
`
`on the 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), the
`
`10
`
`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 motor 225
`
`15
`
`has
`
`no
`
`significant
`
`initial
`
`resistance
`
`to movement
`
`in
`
`the
`
`opposite direction due
`
`to backlash,
`
`the motor 225 accelerates
`
`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
`
`20
`
`opposite 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
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`substantial forces tend to wear out the motors, gears, and other
`
`mechanical components in the drive train.
`
`In terms of safety,
`
`toy vehicles 10 0, such as automobiles
`
`and scooters, have the ability to flip or turnover due to the
`
`5
`
`excessive acceleration of the toy vehicle 100. Additionally,
`
`because of the high acceleration, the wheels are often unable 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),
`
`10
`
`especially children. Additionally,
`
`toy manufacturers have been
`
`developing toy vehicles 10 0 with more speed and power thereby
`
`resulting in the exacerbation of the problems identified above.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`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
`
`20
`
`problems,
`
`including excessive acceleration,
`
`jerk,
`
`flipping of
`
`the vehicle,
`
`and wearing of mechanical
`
`components.
`
`By
`
`integrating
`
`the soft-start control circuit
`
`into
`
`the existing
`
`control systems without having to redesign the fundamentals of
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`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.
`
`One embodiment according to the principals of the present
`
`5
`
`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 for the
`
`toy vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based on the
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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 control circuit
`
`to
`
`20
`
`switch a low-side voltage and not the high-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 principles of the present invention,
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`the method
`
`includes receiving an on/off signal
`
`indicative
`
`to
`
`turn 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
`
`5
`
`signal may be determined.
`
`The motor may be disengaged from the
`
`battery upon determining an improper switch signal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus
`
`10
`
`of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the
`
`following Detailed Description when
`
`taken
`
`in conj unction with
`
`the accompanying Drawings wherein:
`
`FIGURE 1 is an exemplary toy vehicle being ridden by an
`
`operator, such as a child;
`
`15
`
`FIGURE 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a conventional
`
`control system utilized by the toy vehicle of FIGURE 1;
`
`FIGURE
`
`3
`
`is an exemplary block diagram
`
`including
`
`the
`
`conventional control system of FIGURE 2 having a soft-start
`
`control circuit that incorporates the principles of the present
`
`20
`
`invention integrated therewith;
`
`FIGURE 4 is a more detailed exemplary block diagram of the
`
`control system for
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle providing
`
`the soft-start
`
`control circuit of FIGURE 3;
`
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`FIGURE 5 is an exemplary block diagram of the soft-start
`
`control circuit of FIGURE 3;
`
`FIGURE
`
`6
`
`is an exemplary
`
`schematic of
`
`the soft-start
`
`control circuit of FIGURES 3-5;
`
`5
`
`FIGURE 7 provides eight exemplary conditioned input signals
`
`applied to the soft-start control circuit of FIGURE 6;
`
`FIGURES 8A-8C are an exemplary set of graphs that show the
`
`response of
`
`the soft-start control circuit of FIGURE 6
`
`to a
`
`change of input conditions provided by the operator of the toy
`
`10
`
`vehicle;
`
`FIGURE 9
`
`is an exemplary flow diagram providing a high
`
`level operation of the soft-start control circuit of FIGURES 3-
`
`6;
`
`FIGURE 10 is an exemplary block diagram of a control system
`
`15
`
`of a toy vehicle of FIGURE 1 that does not include a foot pedal;
`
`FIGURE 11 is an exemplary schematic of a control circuit
`
`with failsafe circuitry of FIGURE 10; and
`
`FIGURE
`
`12
`
`is an exemplary
`
`flow diagram describing
`
`the
`
`failsafe operation of
`
`the
`
`control circuit with
`
`failsafe
`
`20
`
`circuitry of FIGURES 10 and 11.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`THE
`
`PRESENTLY
`
`PREFERRED
`
`EXEMPLARY
`
`The principals of the present invention provide for a soft-
`
`5
`
`start control circuit capable of being
`
`integrated
`
`into
`
`a
`
`conventional 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
`
`10
`
`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
`
`substantially instantaneously applied to the motor.
`
`In other
`
`15 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
`
`20
`
`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 reducing
`
`or eliminating excessive acceleration. Additionally,
`
`the soft-
`
`start control circuit may include failsafe circuitry to provide
`
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`Docket No. 14489-004002
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`the operator of
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle
`
`the ability to disable
`
`the
`
`motors of the vehicle for safety purposes.
`
`FIGURE 3 is an exemplary block diagram 300
`
`including the
`
`conventional control system 200 having a soft-start control
`
`5
`
`circuit 305
`
`integrated
`
`therewith.
`
`As
`
`shown,
`
`the soft-start
`
`control 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
`
`10
`
`222a
`
`and 222b.
`
`The battery voltage
`
`VBATT
`
`simply provides
`
`operational 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.
`
`15
`
`The soft-start control circuit 305 is operable to apply a
`
`transition
`
`signal
`
`312
`
`on
`
`the
`
`return path 320a
`
`and
`
`320b
`
`(collectively 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
`
`20
`
`understood
`
`that
`
`the soft-start control circuit 305 could be
`
`included
`
`in
`
`the
`
`forward path
`
`(i.e., between
`
`the positive
`
`terminal 228 of the battery 205 and the motors 225)
`
`to affect
`
`the high-side voltage
`
`to
`
`the
`
`motors
`
`225.
`
`However,
`
`by
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`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
`
`5
`
`disabled via
`
`a
`
`jumper
`
`(e.g.'
`
`switch)
`
`or altering control
`
`parameters, either by software or hardware, of the soft-start
`
`control circuit 305.
`
`FIGURE 4 is a more detailed exemplary block diagram 300b of
`
`the control system for the toy vehicle 100 providing the soft-
`
`10
`
`start control circuit 305.
`
`The six-volt batteries 205a and 205b
`
`are connected in series so as
`
`to provide for a total battery
`
`voltage VBATT of
`
`twelve vol ts, 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
`
`15
`
`battery voltage V8 Mr for a power supply, and does not switch the
`
`battery voltage VBATT.
`
`If soft-start control circuit 305 were
`
`operating in the forward path of the control system,
`
`then the
`
`battery voltage VBATT would be switched.
`
`The foot pedal switch
`
`210 is normally open such that when the passenger 110 running
`
`20
`
`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 300b.
`
`A
`
`circuit breaker 405
`
`is utilized
`12
`
`to prevent an overcurrent
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`situation and to avoid damaging other electrical components or
`
`the motors 225.
`
`The forward/reverse switch 215 is shown as being normally
`
`open.
`
`Upon
`
`the operator 110 shifting between
`
`forward and
`
`5
`
`reverse,
`
`the forward/reverse switch 215 closes and the motors
`
`225 are applied a reverse polarity to change driving direction
`
`of the toy vehicle 10 0.
`
`The forward and reverse signals 222a
`
`and 222b, are applied to the soft-start control circuit 305 for
`
`determining that the foot pedal switch 210 is engaged and for
`
`10
`
`indicating when a shift between forward and reverse occurs. The
`
`hi/lo switch 220 is operable to allow the passenger 110 to shift
`
`the speed of
`
`the vehicle
`
`from
`
`low
`
`to high and vice-versa.
`
`Because the hi/lo switch 220 is normally open,
`
`the toy vehicle
`
`100
`
`is configured to be
`
`in
`
`low speed mode by operating
`
`the
`
`15 motors
`
`in series (i.e., each motor operates on six vol ts as
`
`understood in the art).
`
`Upon a shift from
`
`low to high speed,
`
`the hi/lo switch 220, which
`
`is
`
`a double-pole double-throw
`
`switch, configures the motors 225 to be operating in parallel,
`
`thereby operating both motors on twelve volts.
`
`20
`
`As shown,
`
`the soft-start control circuit 305 is coupled to
`
`the low-side of 230a and 230b of the motors 225
`
`to allow the
`
`soft-start control circuit 305 to apply a transition signal 312
`
`to the motors 225.
`
`The transition signal 312 operates to affect
`
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`the angular velocity of the motors 225 by altering the average
`
`voltage being applied to or drawn by the motors 225.
`
`In one
`
`embodiment,
`
`the
`
`transition
`
`signal
`
`312
`
`is
`
`a
`
`pulse width
`
`modulation signal having a duty cycle that ranges from about 20
`
`5
`
`to 100 percent, where the motors 225 deliver full power when the
`
`duty cycle is 100 percent.
`
`FIGURE 5 is an exemplary block diagram 500 of an embodiment
`
`of the soft-start control circuit 305.
`
`The soft-start control
`
`circuit 305 includes an input conditioning unit 505, controller
`
`10
`
`510, power supply unit 515, drive circuit signal conditioning
`
`unit 520, and drive circuit 525.
`
`The power supply unit 515 is
`
`operable to receive the pl us and minus (i.e., ground) battery
`
`voltage
`
`( +VBATT and -VBATT) and generate a five-volt
`
`( +5V) supply
`
`for the other components of the soft-start control circuit 305.
`
`15
`
`The
`
`input conditioning unit 505
`
`is operable
`
`to receive
`
`the
`
`forward and reverse signals 222a and 222b, which may be analog
`
`or digital,
`
`and condition
`
`the
`
`signals
`
`for
`
`input
`
`to
`
`the
`
`controller 510.
`
`In an alternative embodiment,
`
`the soft-start
`
`control circuit
`
`305
`
`simply may
`
`be
`
`powered-up
`
`and begin
`
`20
`
`performing
`
`the soft-start
`
`functionality
`
`(e.g.'
`
`acceleration
`
`control).
`
`The controller 510 receives the conditioned forward
`
`and reverse signals for generating and applying the transition
`
`signal 312 to the return path 320a, which may be ramped and/or
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`delayed based on the forward and reverse signals 222a and 222b.
`
`The controller 510 may utilize
`
`a processor
`
`that executes
`
`software
`
`to perform
`
`the
`
`logical decisions and generate
`
`the
`
`transition signal 312 based on an algorithm, for example.
`
`The
`
`5
`
`software may be stored in ROM or other storage device to be read
`
`by the processor and executed thereby.
`
`The drive circuit signal
`
`conditioning unit 52 0 is operable to condition or prepare the
`
`output of the controller for the drive circuit 525.
`
`The drive
`
`circuit
`
`525 operates
`
`to
`
`apply
`
`the
`
`transition
`
`signal
`
`312
`
`10
`
`generated by the controller 510 to the low-side 230a and 230b of
`
`the motors 225.
`
`FIGURE 6 is an exemplary schematic of an embodiment of the
`
`soft-start control circuit 305 of Figures 3-5.
`
`As shown,
`
`the
`
`schematic includes the input conditioning unit 505, controller
`
`15
`
`510, power supply unit 515, drive circuit signal conditioning
`
`unit 520, and drive circuit 525.
`
`The power supply unit 515
`
`develops a five-volt source 605, which may be utilized by the
`
`input conditioning unit 505, controller 510, and drive circuit
`
`signal conditioning unit 520.
`
`The input conditioning unit 505
`
`20
`
`receives
`
`the
`
`forward and reverse signals 222a and 222b via
`
`connectors J8 and J7, respectively. Diodes 610a and 610b are
`
`utilized to protect other components of the input conditioning
`
`unit 505 and prevent false triggering of the soft-start control
`15
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`circuit 305. Additionally,
`
`the diodes 610a and 610b provide
`
`isolation of the forward and reverse signals 222a and 222b as
`
`one is high (e.g., positive) and the other low (e.g., negative).
`
`Alternatively, the two signals could be implemented as separate
`
`5
`
`signals input to the processor. The forward and reverse signals
`
`222a and 222b are logically OR'd to determine when at least one
`
`of the signals 222a and 222b is high. Upon determining that one
`
`of
`
`the
`
`forward 222a or
`
`reverse 222b signals
`
`is high,
`
`the
`
`transistor QlO is utilized to generate a five-volt input signal
`
`10
`
`to the controller 510.
`
`The controller 510
`
`includes a processor 615 that executes
`
`software to develop the transition signal to 312.
`
`The processor
`
`615
`
`receives
`
`the five-volt signal
`
`from QlO
`
`to
`
`indicate that
`
`either the forward or reverse signal 222a and 222b is high. The
`
`15
`
`processor 615 executes the software and outputs the appropriate
`
`transition signal 312
`
`to the drive circuit signal conditioning
`
`unit 520 via line 620.
`
`The drive circuit signal conditioning
`
`unit 520 performs a level shift of the transition signal 312 via
`
`transistor Q8 in preparation for the drive circuit.
`
`20
`
`The drive circuit 525 includes a bridge circuit 625 formed
`
`of two transistors Q3 and Q7.
`
`The bridge circuit is operable to
`
`form a push-pull drive to turn field effect transistors
`
`(FETs)
`
`Q5 and Q6 on and off.
`
`The FETs Q5 and Q6, which may be
`16
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`number IRL2203NS
`
`(one producer being International Rectifier, El
`
`Segundo, CA 90245), are used as high current switches that apply
`
`the pulse width modulation formed by the processor 615 between
`
`the motor 225 and negative terminal 227 of the battery 205.
`
`The
`
`5 Schottky diodes 630 operate as a "fly back" diodes that handle
`
`current feedback
`
`from
`
`the motors 225 due
`
`to
`
`the pulse width
`
`modulation of the motor 225 to prevent the FETs Q5 and Q6 from
`
`burning up.
`
`FIGURE 7 provides eight exemplary conditioned input signals
`
`10
`
`705-740 applied to the controller 510 via controller input line
`
`612 based on the foot pedal and shift for changing direction.
`
`The conditioned input signals 705-740 are indicative of either
`
`pedal or forward/reverse shift operations of
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle
`
`100.
`
`It should be understood that the toy vehicle 100 could
`
`15
`
`have other functions or mechanisms
`
`that are utilized by
`
`the
`
`controller 510 to affect operation of the motors 225.
`
`FIGURE 7(a) provides conditioned
`
`input signal 705
`
`that
`
`indicates that the toy vehicle 100 is off and that the pedal is
`
`not depressed,
`
`thereby causing
`
`the foot pedal switch 210
`
`to
`
`20
`
`remain open.
`
`FIGURE 7(b) provides conditioned input signal 710
`
`that indicates that the pedal is depressed at time Tl,
`
`thereby
`
`causing
`
`the
`
`foot pedal switch 210
`
`to close.
`
`FIGURE 7(c)
`
`provides conditioned input signal 715
`17
`
`that indicates that the
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`pedal is released at time T2,
`
`thereby causing the foot pedal
`
`switch 210
`
`to open.
`
`FIGURE 7(d) provides conditioned
`
`input
`
`signal 720
`
`that indicates that a direction shift is initiated
`
`via
`
`a
`
`shift stick or other mechanism while
`
`the pedal
`
`is
`
`5
`
`depressed,
`
`thereby causing the conditioned signal input to the
`
`controller 510 to toggle OFF at time T3 and back ON at time T4
`
`so that the processor 615 recognizes that a shift occurs.
`
`FIGURE 7(e) provides conditioned
`
`input signal 725
`
`that
`
`indicates that
`
`the pedal is momentarily released (e.g.,
`
`foot
`
`10
`
`slips off pedal),
`
`thereby causing the conditioned input signal
`
`725
`
`to
`
`toggle at
`
`times TS
`
`and T6.
`
`FIGURE 7(f) provides
`
`conditioned input signal 730 that indicates that the pedal is
`
`momentarily pressed (e.g., foot accidentally presses the pedal),
`
`thereby causing the conditioned input signal 730
`
`to toggle at
`
`15
`
`times T7 and T8.
`
`FIGURE 7(g) provides conditioned input signal
`
`735
`
`that
`
`indicates
`
`that
`
`the pedal
`
`is being pulsed by
`
`the
`
`operator 110 of
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle 100,
`
`thereby causing
`
`the
`
`conditioned input signal 735 to toggle at times T9-T12.
`
`FIGURE
`
`7(h) provides conditioned input signal 740 that indicates that a
`
`20 direction shift is being pulsed by the operator 110 of the toy
`
`vehicle 100, thereby causing the conditioned input signal 740 to
`
`toggle at times T9-T12.
`
`Each of the conditioned input signals
`
`705-740 are recognized by the soft-start control circuit 305 for
`
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`providing the transition signal 312 to affect operation of the
`
`motors 225.
`
`In operation, the software program executing in the
`
`processor 615 may utilize the following algorithm to generate
`
`the transition signal 312 as a function of the conditioned input
`
`5
`
`signal via line 612.
`
`then output is HIGH
`
`If conditioned input signal is LOW,
`a.
`(drive circuit is OFF).
`b. When the conditioned input signal transitions HIGH then
`If off time < off time max
`and on time>on time max
`then DELAY(shift delay)
`Begin the PWM
`ramp
`from initial ramp
`duty cycle
`Output remains LOW until input changes
`c. While conditioned input signal HIGH,
`increment on time
`d. While conditioned input signal LOW,
`increment off time
`
`to 10 0 percent
`
`The parameters, which are exemplary, of the algorithm may be as
`
`follows:
`
`ramp time
`initial_ramp
`shift delay
`off time max
`on time max
`
`1.0 seconds
`20 percent duty cycle
`400 msec
`125 msec
`125msec
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`FIGURE 8A is an exemplary set of graphs 800a that shows the
`
`response of an embodiment of the soft-start control circuit 305
`
`to a change of input conditions provided by the operator 110 of
`
`the toy vehicle 10 0.
`
`Graph 8A (a)
`
`shows the conditioned input
`
`30
`
`signal 710 transition at time T1 due to the pedal being depressed
`
`by
`
`the
`
`operator
`
`110,
`
`and
`
`graph
`
`8A(b)
`
`shows
`
`that
`
`the
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`forward/reverse switch 215
`
`is not
`
`transitioned.
`
`Graph 8A(c)
`
`shows
`
`an output
`
`signal
`
`805, which
`
`is
`
`indicative of
`
`the
`
`transition signal 312 having a duty cycle ranging from about 20
`
`to 100 percent, that ramps up over a one second time duration
`
`5
`
`(i.e., T1 to T1 + 1. 0 second) based on the depression of the pedal
`
`at time T1.
`
`FIGURE 8B is an exemplary set of graphs 800b that shows the
`
`response of the soft-start control circuit 305 to a change of
`
`input conditions provided by the operator 110 of the toy vehicle
`
`10
`
`100. Graph 8B (a) shows that the foot pedal switch 210 remains
`
`closed while the shift signal 720 changes (i.e., the operator
`
`110 shifts from forward to reverse or vice versa)
`
`As shown,
`
`the output signal 810a transitions OFF at time t 3
`
`in accordance
`
`with the shift signal 72 0
`
`transitioning OFF.
`
`Upon
`
`the shift
`
`15
`
`signal 7 2 0 transitioning HIGH at time t 4 ,
`
`a delay tD is created
`
`before
`
`the output
`
`signal
`
`810b
`
`is enabled
`
`to provide
`
`the
`
`mechanical components (e.g., gear train) of the toy vehicle 100
`
`enough
`
`time
`
`to
`
`transition,
`
`thereby avoiding wearing of
`
`the
`
`mechanical components.
`
`20
`
`FIGURE 8C is an exemplary set of graphs 800c that shows the
`
`response of the soft-start control circuit 305 to a change of
`
`input conditions provided by the operator 110 of the toy vehicle
`
`100.
`
`As shown in graph 8C (a),
`
`the operator 110 releases the
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`pedal at time T and re-engages the pedal at time T+l.2 seconds.
`
`Graph 8C (b)
`
`indicates that the shift is not transitioned over
`
`the time period of concern.
`
`The output signal 815a transitions
`
`OFF at
`
`time T and re-transitions ON at
`
`time T+l.2 seconds.
`
`5 During the OFF
`
`time of the output signal 815a, a deceleration
`
`counter
`
`identified by dashed
`
`line may count down
`
`for
`
`two
`
`seconds, for example, so that upon the operator 110 depressing
`
`the pedal again, output signal 815b may start at a higher duty
`
`cycle (e.g., 60 percent) and ramp
`
`to 100 percent rather than
`
`10
`
`having to start at the startup duty cycle (e.g., 20 percent).
`
`By utilizing
`
`the deceleration counter,
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle 100
`
`provides
`
`the operator 110 with
`
`a more
`
`realistic sense of
`
`operating a
`
`real vehicle.
`
`Additionally, by
`
`initiating
`
`the
`
`output signal 815b at a duty cycle closer
`
`to
`
`that of
`
`the
`
`15
`
`velocity of the toy vehicle 10 0, safety may be improved as the
`
`toy vehicle 100 does not substantially slow.
`
`In the case of the
`
`toy vehicle 100 being a
`
`two-wheeled scooter or motorcycle-like,
`
`the deceleration counter safety feature
`
`the operator 110 not
`
`having to provide additional stability with his or her feet,
`
`20 which is often times awkward and difficult.
`
`FIGURE 9 is an exemplary flow diagram 900 providing a high
`
`level operation of an embodiment of
`
`the soft-start control
`
`circuit 305 of FIGURES 3-5.
`
`The process starts at step 905.
`
`At
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`step 910, at least one signal
`
`to
`
`induce motion of
`
`the
`
`toy
`
`vehicle 100
`
`is received.
`
`The signal(s) may be
`
`that of a
`
`throttle signal or multiple
`
`signals,
`
`such as
`
`forward
`
`and
`
`reverse,
`
`that inherently indicate that the throttle signal has
`
`5
`
`been applied. At step 915, a transition signal ranging from a
`
`first to a second level over a
`
`time period is generated.
`
`The
`
`transition signal may be a pulse width modulation signal having
`
`a duty cycle of approximately 20 percent and have a substantial
`
`linear increase
`
`to 100 percent. Alternatively,
`
`a non-linear
`
`10
`
`signal,
`
`such as an exponential signal, may be generated
`
`to
`
`account
`
`for
`
`the dynamics of
`
`the motors 225, other electro-
`
`mechanical components, and/ or
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle 10 0.
`
`The non-
`
`linear signal may provide other benefits for the operator 110,
`
`such as a feeling of a
`
`turbo boost or thrusters, for example.
`
`15 At step 920,
`
`the transition signal is applied to the motor (s)
`
`225.
`
`It should be understood that generation of the transition
`
`signal and application thereof may be performed simultaneously
`
`such that steps 915 and 920 may be considered more as a single
`
`step. The process ends at step 925.
`
`20
`
`FIGURE 10 is an exemplary block diagram 1000 of a control
`
`system of a
`
`toy vehicle 100,
`
`such as a sit-on or stand-on
`
`scooter,
`
`that does not
`
`include
`
`a
`
`foot pedal.
`
`For safety
`
`reasons,
`
`toy makers are reluctant to deliver high power of the
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`battery 205 to handle bars, and,
`
`therefore, a
`
`low power switch
`
`1005
`
`is desirable
`
`to be
`
`located on
`
`the handle bars.
`
`Other
`
`switches,
`
`including
`
`switches
`
`that are disengaged upon
`
`the
`
`operator 110 becoming separated from the toy vehicle 100, may be
`
`5 utilized.
`
`As shown, a relay 1010, which
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