(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0206493 A1
`Larson et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 15, 2013
`
`US 20130206493A1
`
`(54) ELECTRIC MOTORIZED SKATEBOARD
`WITH AN ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WITH A
`FOOTPAD AND FORCE SENSOR
`(71) Applicant: Intuitive Motion, Inc., (US)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............... A63C 17/12 (2013.01); A63C 17/012
`(2013.01)
`USPC .......................................................... 180/181
`
`(72) Inventors: Geoff Ellis Larson, Sacramento, CA
`(US); Benjamin Swanberg Forman,
`San Francisco, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Intuitive Motion, Inc., Modesto, CA
`(US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/764,630
`(22) Filed:
`Feb. 11, 2013
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/597,408, filed on Feb
`10, 2012
`pp
`s
`Y Y-1s
`s
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A63C 7/2
`A63C 17/01
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`There is provided an electric motorized skateboard. The
`skateboard includes a skateboard deck and wheels. The skate
`board includes a first actuator with a footpad and a force
`sensor. The footpad is generally disposed at a deck top Sur
`face. The footpad and the force sensor are cooperatively sized
`and configured to translate force applied to the footpad to the
`force sensor. The force sensor is sized and configured to
`output a sensed signal in response to application of force upon
`the force sensor. The skateboard includes a controller in elec
`trical communication with the force sensor. The controller
`receives the sensed signal and generates a motor input signal
`in response to the sensed signal. The skateboard includes an
`electric motor in mechanical communication with at least one
`of the wheels. The motor has a variable electric motor output
`in response to a value of a motor input signal.
`
`
`
`...
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`US 2013/0206493 A1
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`Aug. 15, 2013
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`ELECTRIC MOTORIZED SKATEBOARD
`WITH AN ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WITH A
`FOOTPAD AND FORCE SENSOR
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi
`sional Application No. 61/597.408, filed Feb. 10, 2012, the
`contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by refer
`CCC.
`
`STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED
`RESEARCHADEVELOPMENT
`0002. Not Applicable
`
`BACKGROUND
`0003 1. Technical Field of the Invention
`0004. The present invention relates generally to an electric
`motorized skateboard, and more specifically to an electric
`motorized skateboard with an actuator assembly with a foot
`pad and force sensor.
`0005 2. Description of the Related Art
`0006 Electric motorized skateboards have gained popu
`larity, ranging from casual commuter riders to those in the
`extreme end of the action sports community. Contemporary
`electric motorized skateboard are typically powered by a DC
`battery powered motor that is mourned to the underside of a
`skateboard deck. The output shaft is mechanically linked to a
`selected one of the rear pair of wheels. A handheld input
`device is provided that is configured to generate an input
`acceleration signal for transmission to an on-board controller
`through a wired or wireless connection. The handheld input
`device may include a trigger like actuator that may be used for
`generating the input acceleration signal that results in the
`energizing of the electric motor for desired forward move
`ment of the skateboard. However, the use of a handheld input
`device requires the rider to associate a linger trigger reflex
`with desired acceleration. Such hand coordinated control is
`neither intuitive nor a natural reflex in comparison to those
`movements associate with non-powered skateboarding tech
`niques.
`0007. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved
`electric motorized skateboard in comparison to the prior art.
`Various aspects of the present invention address these par
`ticular needs, as will be discussed in more detail below.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`0008. There is provided art electric motorized skateboard.
`The electric motorized skateboard further includes a skate
`board deck having a deck top Surface and an opposing deck
`bottom surface. The electric motorized skateboard further
`includes a plurality of skateboard wheels disposed adjacent to
`the deck bottom surface. The electric motorized skateboard
`further includes a first actuator assembly attached to the
`skateboard deck. The first actuator assembly includes a foot
`pad and a force sensor. The footpad is generally disposed at
`the deck top surface. The footpad and the force sensor are
`cooperatively sized and configured to translate force applied
`to the footpad to the force sensor. The force sensor is sized and
`configured to output a sensed signal in response to application
`of force upon the force sensor. The electric motorized skate
`board further includes a controller in electrical communica
`tion with the force sensor. The controller is sized and config
`
`ured to receive the sensed signal and generate a motor input
`signal in response to the sensed signal. The electric motorized
`skateboard further includes an electric motor in mechanical
`communication with at least one of the skateboard wheels.
`The electric motor has a variable electric motor output in
`response to a value of a motor input signal received from the
`controller.
`0009. According to various embodiments, a force sensor
`may include force-sensing resistors. The footpad and the
`force-sensing resistors may be cooperatively sized and con
`figured to translate force applied to the footpad to the force
`sensing resistors. The force sensor is sized and configured to
`output a sensed signal in response to application of force upon
`the force-sensing resistors. The electric motor may be a DC
`motor, and the motor input signal may be a variable Voltage
`signal. The footpad may include a substantially flat foot pad
`Surface, and the footpad Surface is generally parallel with the
`deck top Surface. Alternatively, the footpad surface is dis
`posed at an angle with respect to the deck top surface. The
`skateboard deck has a skateboard front end and a skateboard
`rear end, and the footpad surface may taper away from the
`deck top surface towards the skateboard front end.
`0010 Further, the electric motorized skateboard may
`include a second actuator assembly attached to the skateboard
`deck. The second actuator assembly includes a footpad and a
`force sensor, and the footpad is generally disposed at the deck
`top Surface. The force sensor includes force-sensing resistors,
`and the footpad and the force-sensing resistors are coopera
`tively sized and configured to translate force applied to the
`footpad to the force-sensing resistors, the force sensoris sized
`and configured to output a sensed signal in response to appli
`cation of force upon the force-sensing resistors. The control
`ler is in electrical communication with the force sensor of the
`second actuator assembly, and the controller is sized and
`configured to receive the sensed signal from the second actua
`tor assembly and generate a motor input signal in response to
`the sensed signals of the first and second actuator assemblies.
`The first actuator assembly may be disposed between the
`second actuator assembly and the skateboard front end, and
`the second actuator assembly may be disposed between the
`first actuator assembly and the skateboard rear end.
`0011. According to further embodiments, the plurality of
`skateboard wheels includes a pair of front skateboard wheels,
`and the motorized skateboard may further include a skate
`board truck with the front skateboard wheels attached to the
`skateboard truck, the skateboard truck is attached to the first
`actuator assembly. The controller may be configured to store
`at least two rider profiles, the controller is sized and config
`ured to generate a motor input signal using a selected rider
`profile and the sensed signal. The electric motorized skate
`board may include multiple motors. In this regard, the electric
`motor may be a first electric motor, and the electric motorized
`skateboard may further include a second electric motor in
`mechanical communication with at least another one of the
`skateboard wheels. The second electric motor has a variable
`electric motor output in response to a value of a motor input
`signal received from the controller. The controller may be
`sized and configured to receive the sensed signal and respec
`tively generate first and second motor input signals in
`response to the sensed signal, and the first electric motor may
`be configured to receive the first motor input signal, the sec
`ond electric motor is configured to receive the second motor
`input signal.
`
` DGL Exhibit 1014
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`US 2013/0206493 A1
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`Aug. 15, 2013
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`0012. There is provided an electric motorized skateboard.
`The electric motorized skateboard further includes a skate
`board deck having a deck top Surface and an opposing deck
`bottom surface. The electric motorized skateboard further
`includes a plurality of skateboard wheels disposed adjacent to
`the deck bottom surface. The electric motorized skateboard
`further includes a first actuator assembly attached to the
`skateboard deck. The first actuator assembly includes a foot
`pad and a force sensor. The force sensor includes force
`sensing resistors. The footpad is generally disposed at the
`deck top Surface, the footpad and the force-sensing resistors
`being cooperatively sized and configured to translate force
`applied to the footpad to the force-sensing resistors. The force
`sensor is sized and configured to output a sensed signal in
`response to the application of force upon the force-sensing
`resistors. The electric motorized skateboard further includes a
`controller in electrical communication with the force sensor.
`The controller is sized and configured to receive the sensed
`signal and generate a motor input signal in response to the
`sensed signal. The electric motorized skateboard further
`includes an electric motorin mechanical communication with
`at least one of the skateboard wheels. The electric motor has
`a variable electric motor output in response to a value of a
`motor input signal received from the controller.
`0013. According to another embodiment, there is pro
`vided an electric motorized skateboard. The electric motor
`ized skateboard includes a skateboard deck having a deck top
`Surface and an opposing deck bottom Surface. The electric
`motorized skateboard further includes a plurality of skate
`board wheels disposed adjacent to the deck bottom surface.
`The electric motorized skateboard further includes an accel
`eration actuator assembly attached to the skateboard deck.
`The acceleration actuator assembly includes a footpad and a
`force sensor. The footpad is generally disposed at the decktop
`surface. The footpad and the force sensor are cooperatively
`sized and configured to translate force applied to the footpad
`to the force sensor. The force sensoris sized and configured to
`output a sensed acceleration signal in response to application
`of force upon the force sensor. The electric motorized skate
`board further includes a deceleration actuator assembly
`attached to the skateboard deck. The deceleration actuator
`assembly includes a footpad and a force sensor. The footpad
`is generally disposed at the deck top Surface. The footpad and
`the force sensor are cooperatively sized and configured to
`translate force applied to the footpad to the force sensor. The
`force sensor is sized and configured to output a sensed decel
`eration signal in response to application of force upon the
`force sensor. The electric motorized skateboard further
`includes a controller in electrical communication with the
`force sensors. The controller is sized and configured to
`receive the sensed acceleration signal and the sensed decel
`eration signal and generate a motor input signal in response to
`the sensed acceleration signal and the sensed deceleration
`signal. The electric motorized skateboard further includes an
`electric motor in mechanical communication with at least one
`of the skateboard wheels. The electric motor has a variable
`electric motor output in response to a value of a motor input
`signal received from the controller. The skateboard deck has
`a front end and a rear end. The acceleration actuator may be
`disposed between the deceleration actuator and the front end,
`and the deceleration actuator may be disposed between the
`acceleration actuator and the rear end.
`
`0014. The present invention is best understood by refer
`ence to the following detailed description when read in con
`junction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0015 These and other features and advantages of the vari
`ous embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood
`with respect to the following description and drawings, in
`which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in
`which:
`0016 FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an electric
`motorized skateboard;
`0017 FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the skateboard of FIG.1;
`0018 FIG.3 is a side perspective view of the skateboard of
`FIG. 1:
`0019 FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an actua
`tor assembly of the skateboard of FIG. 1;
`0020 FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion
`of the skateboard of FIG. 1 with the actuator assembly and a
`skateboard truck assembly and wheels;
`0021
`FIG. 6 is an assembled view of the portion of the
`skateboard of FIG. 5:
`0022 FIG. 7 is a side view of the actuator assembly:
`0023 FIG. 8(a) is a symbolic illustration of a rider upon
`the electric motorized skateboard with the rider center of
`mass shifted forward;
`0024 FIG. 8(b) is a symbolic illustration of a rider upon
`the electric motorized skateboard of FIG. 8(a) with the rider
`center of mass in a neutral position;
`0025 FIG. 8(c) is a symbolic illustration of a rider upon
`the electric motorized skateboard of FIG. 8(a) with the rider
`center of mass shifted rearward;
`0026 FIG.9 is a symbolic schematic of the electric motor
`ized skateboard;
`0027 FIG. 10 is a side view of an actuator assembly
`according to another embodiment;
`0028 FIG. 11 is a side view of a portion of a skateboard
`with the actuator assembly of FIG. 10 as depicted with a
`rider's foot/shoe;
`0029 FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an actua
`tor assembly according to another embodiment;
`0030 FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a portion
`of a skateboard according to another embodiment with the
`actuator assembly of FIG. 12; and
`0031
`FIG. 14 is an assembled view of the portion of the
`skateboard of FIG. 13:
`0032 FIG. 15 is a side view of the actuator assembly of
`FIG. 12.
`0033 Common reference numerals are used throughout
`the drawings and detailed description to indicate like ele
`mentS.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0034. The detailed description set forth below is intended
`as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the
`invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in
`which the present invention may be constructed or utilized.
`The description sets forth the functions and sequences of
`steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be
`understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions
`and sequences may be accomplished by different embodi
`ments and that they are also intended to be encompassed
`within the scope of the invention.
`
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`0035 Referring now to the drawings, wherein the show
`ings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of
`the present invention only, and are not for purposes of limiting
`the same. FIGS. 1-3 generally depict an embodiment of an
`electric motorized skateboard 10. FIG. 1 is a top view of an
`embodiment of the electric motorized skateboard 10. FIG. 2
`is a bottom view of the electric motorized skateboard 10 of
`FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the electric
`motorized skateboard 10 of FIG. 1.
`0036. In this embodiment, the electric motorized skate
`board 10 includes a skateboard deck 12 and skateboard
`wheels 14a-d. As will be discussed in further detail below, the
`electric motorized skateboard 10 includes a first actuator
`assembly 16 and a second actuator assembly 18. The first and
`second actuator assemblies 16, 18 are attached to the electric
`motorized skateboard 10 through the skateboard deck 12. A
`truck assembly 22 is provided that supports the skateboard
`wheels 14a-b. A truck assembly 24 is provided that supports
`the skateboard wheels 14C-d. The skateboard deck 12
`includes a deck top Surface 34 and an opposing deck bottom
`surface 36. The skateboard deck 12 further includes a skate
`board front end 38 and an opposing skateboard rear end 40.
`The electric motorized skateboard 10 includes a housing 26.
`In this regard, additionally referring to FIG. 9 there is
`depicted a symbolic schematic of the electric motorized
`skateboard 10. The housing 26 is a protective structure that
`houses a controller 68 and battery 70. The electric motorized
`skateboard 10 further includes an electric motor 20. As will be
`discussed below, the electric motor 20 is configured in elec
`trical communication with the first and second actuator
`assemblies 16, 18 and is powered by battery 70 through the
`controller 68. The electric motor 20 is disposed in mechanical
`communication with the skateboard wheel 14c. As one of
`ordinary skill in the art can appreciate. Such mechanical com
`munication may take the form of any number of configura
`tions that may include use of gears, linkages, drive belt or
`chain, and the like.
`0037 Referring additionally to FIGS. 4-7, the first actua
`tor assembly 16 will be further discussed. FIG. 4 is an
`exploded perspective view of the first actuator assembly 16.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the
`electric motorized skateboard 10 with the first actuator
`assembly 16, and FIG. 6 is an assembled view of the portion
`of the electric motorized skateboard 10. FIG. 7 is a side view
`of the first actuator assembly 16. In this embodiment, the first
`actuator assembly 16 includes a footpad 42, an actuator 44, a
`force sensor 46, actuator housing 48 and a spacer 50. The first
`actuator assembly 16 is attached to the skateboard deck 12
`through the use of a deck opening 52 formed through the
`skateboard deck 12. Fasteners 54 are used to securely attach
`the first actuator assembly 16 to the skateboard deck 12.
`0038. In this embodiment, the first actuator assembly 16
`and the deck opening 52 are particularly located adjacent the
`truck assembly 22. In this regard, the truck assembly 22 is
`attached to the spacer 50 with the first actuator assembly 16
`and the truck assembly 22 being commonly attached to the
`skateboard deck 12 with the fasteners 54 adjacent to the deck
`bottom surface 36. The footpad 42 includes a footpad surface
`66. The first actuator assembly 16 is positioned with the
`footpad surface 66 disposed adjacent the deck top surface 34.
`The footpad surface 66 may be substantially flat and disposed
`generally parallel to the deck top surface 66. The footpad
`Surface 66 may be slightly raised in comparison to the deck
`
`top surface 66 so as to allow the rider 60 to recognized by
`touch or feel the exact location of the footpad 42.
`0039. According to an aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided the electric motorized skateboard 10. The
`electric motorized skateboard 10 further includes the skate
`board deck 12 having the deck top surface 34 and the oppos
`ing deck bottom surface 36. The electric motorized skate
`board 10 further includes a plurality of skateboard wheels
`(such as wheels 14a-d) disposed adjacent to the deck bottom
`surface 36. The electric motorized skateboard 10 further
`includes the first actuator assembly 16 attached to the skate
`board deck 12. The first actuator assembly 16 includes the
`footpad 42 and the force sensor 46. The footpad 42 is gener
`ally disposed at the deck top surface 34. The footpad 42 and
`the force sensor 46 are cooperatively sized and configured to
`translate force applied to the footpad 42 to the force sensor 46.
`The force sensor 46 is sized and configured to output a sensed
`signal in response to the application of force upon the force
`sensor 46. The electric motorized skateboard 10 further
`includes the controller 68 in electrical communication with
`the force sensor 46. The controller 68 is sized and configured
`to receive the sensed signal and generate a motor input signal
`in response to the sensed signal. The electric motorized skate
`board 10 further includes an electric motor 20 in mechanical
`communication with at least one of the skateboard wheels 14,
`such as skateboard wheel 14c. The electric motor 20 has a
`variable electric motor output in response to a value of a
`motor input signal received from the controller 68.
`0040. According to various embodiments, the electric
`motorized skateboard 10 may include the second actuator
`assembly 18. The second actuator assembly 18 may be con
`structed similarly as the first actuator assembly 16. It is con
`templated that the electric motorized skateboard 10 may
`include additional actuator assemblies, as represented by
`actuator assembly 78 (as further denoted FSN) and disposed
`in electrical communication with the controller 68 via sensor
`conduit 80.
`0041 A power switch 32 may be provided. In the embodi
`ment depicted, the power Switch is located at the housing 26,
`and in particular adjacent the deck opening 52. This provides
`the user easy access while protecting the power Switch 32
`from accidental actuation. The power Switch is disposed in
`electrical communication with the controller 68 for powering
`on and off the over all system.
`0042. With reference to the symbolic schematic of the
`electric motorized skateboard 10 of FIG. 9, the first actuator
`assembly 16 (further denoted as FS1) is disposed in electrical
`communication with the controller 68 viaasensor conduit 58.
`The second actuator assembly 18 (further denoted as FS2) is
`disposed in electrical communication with the controller 68
`via a sensor conduit 72. The battery 70 is disposed in electri
`cal communication with the controller 68 via a battery con
`duit 74. The electric motor 20 (further denoted as MOTOR1)
`is disposed in electrical communication with the controller
`via a motor conduit 76.
`0043. The force sensor 46 may include force-sensing
`resistors 56. It is contemplated, however, that the force sensor
`46 may take the form of other types of sensors that are con
`figured to detect the application of force. Such as a piezoelec
`tric sensor, load cell, a pressure transducer, or any other
`electro-mechanical sensor that can produce or modify a vari
`able electrical signal by means of an applied force or force
`over an area (pressure). It is contemplated that force-sensing
`resistors are particular Suited for this application taking into
`
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`Aug. 15, 2013
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`consideration the technology's optimal performance, thin
`design, and low cost. Force-sensing resistors 56 consist of a
`conductive polymer thick film device which exhibits a
`decrease in resistance with an increase in the force applied to
`the active surface. The film consists of both electrically con
`ducting and non-conducting panicles Suspended in a matrix.
`The particles are Sub-micrometer sizes. Applying, a force to
`the Surface of the sensing film causes particles to touch con
`ducing electrodes, changing the resistance of the film. This
`change in resistance can be detected by the controller 68 as
`the sensed signal. It is contemplated that the controller 68
`supplies a voltage to the force-sensing resistors 56. When a
`force input is provided, the returning input signal Voltage (the
`sensed signal) may increase from an initial Zero state to a
`maximum, although some resistive losses to heat may be
`seen. An example of a suitable sensor device for the force
`sensing resistors 56 are those sensor products of Interlink
`Electronics, Inc. of Camarillo, Calif. and Sentronics of Bow,
`Wash.
`0044) The controller 68 accepts power from the battery 70.
`Voltage may vary depending on power or performance
`requirements. The controller 68 may be configured to monitor
`the voltage and current drawn from the attached battery 70 to
`monitor, provide rider feedback, and control the performance
`of the electric motorized skateboard 10 based on desired
`pattern set by a designer, manufacturer, Vendor, rider, or other
`party. The electric motorized skateboard 10 may further
`include a power port 124 in operative communication with the
`controller 68 and the battery 70. The power port 124 is con
`figured to be connectable with an external power source for
`recharging the battery 68. The power port 124 may be a USB
`port capable of receiving a USB connector for charging the
`battery 70. Other battery types and charging configurations
`may be selected from those well known to one of ordinary
`skill in the art. In this regard, the battery 70 may be removed
`from the housing 26 for recharging via a separate device. The
`recharging may also be performed by external, internal, or
`integrated outlet, AC or DC energy source, Solar cells, regen
`eration of a motor during deceleration, regeneration of the
`electric motor 20 due to resisting external propagation, or
`other methods. The power port 124 may also serve the dual
`purpose of a communications port for programming the elec
`tric motorized skateboard 10. The power port 124 may be
`capable of receiving programming instructions from a pro
`gramming device, such as a computer, Smart phone, tablet
`computer or other programming devices known in the art.
`0045. The electric motorized skateboard 10 may include a
`handle 28that may be cut into, inserted, attached or otherwise
`integrated with the skateboard deck 12 and/or the housing 26.
`In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the handle 28 may beformed
`through the formation and placement of the handle opening
`30. The handle 28 may be integrated with the skateboard deck
`12 with the handle opening 30 being formed through the
`skateboard deck 12 and the housing 26. The handle 28 may
`serve as away to pickup, turn over, carry, drag, roll, transport,
`or otherwise move the electric motorized skateboard 10. The
`handle 28 may also serve as a way to adequately secure to a
`movable or immovable object with a chain, rope, bike lock, or
`other method for security or loss prevention.
`0046 Referring now to FIGS. 8(a)-(c) there are depleted
`symbolic illustrations of a rider 60 upon the electric motor
`ized skateboard 10. A rider center of mass 64 is depicted in
`relation to a skateboard center line 62. In these illustrations,
`the direction of travel of the electric motorized skateboard 10
`
`is to the right. In FIG. 8(a) the rider center of mass 64 is
`shifted forward, in FIG. 8(b) the rider center of gravity 64 is
`in a neutral position, and in FIG. 8(c) the rider center of mass
`64 is shifted rearward.
`0047. It is contemplated that when one rides on or in a
`vehicle accelerating in a forward direction, one’s center of
`gravity moves in the direction opposite the acceleration, rela
`tive to the vehicle. When standing, sitting, or otherwise situ
`ated on a vehicle or platform—for example a motorized
`skateboard—that begins accelerating forward, one’s center of
`mass moves toward the rear in the moving reference frame,
`away from a position of centered balance. To compensate,
`there is a coordination element where one must transfer
`weight forward in the direction of acceleration in anticipation
`of the change in center of mass. An aspect of the present
`invention recognizes that by moving one’s center of mass a
`distance forward equal to the rearward change in the location
`of center of mass that the acceleration would naturally cause,
`one remains properly balanced. This is true for forward decel
`eration (negative acceleration, or positive acceleration in the
`reverse direction) when a moving vehicle slows down. In that
`case, by moving one’s center of mass a distance rearward
`equal to the forward change in the location of center of mass
`that the deceleration would naturally cause, one remains
`properly balanced.
`0048. An aspect of the invention further recognizes this
`dynamic nature, and intuitively simplifies the ability of one to
`maintain centered balance on the electric motorized skate
`board 10 by using the force sensors 46 of the first and second
`actuator assemblies 16, 18 to initiate forward acceleration and
`deceleration. In an embodiment, the first actuator assembly
`16 is disposed between the second actuator assembly 18 and
`the skateboard frontend38, and the second actuator assembly
`18 is disposed between the first actuator assembly 16 and
`skateboard the rear end 40. In this design, the act of transfer
`ring weight forward onto the first actuator assembly 16 (such
`as depicted in FIG. 8(a)) in anticipation of acceleration actu
`ally causes the acceleration. Likewise, transferring weight
`rearward onto the second actuator assembly 18 (Such as
`depicted in FIG. 8(c)) causes the deceleration for which that
`weight transfer is necessary to balance. In this action-reaction
`fashion, the use of the first and second actuator assemblies 16,
`18 can be designed so that the weight transfer necessary for
`acceleration or deceleration is precisely tuned to cause an
`equal and opposite change in center of mass. Acceleration”
`and “deceleration” can refer to the change is velocity of the
`electric motorized skateboard 10 as a result of the change in
`angular velocity of output shaft or rotor of the elector motor
`20. It is contemplated that use of the first and second actuator
`assemblies 16, 18 provides an intuitive user-friendly interface
`for controlling the electric motorized skateboard 10 through
`the natural weight-shifting reflects of the rider 60. As such,
`the first actuator assembly 16 may be designated an “accel
`eration actuator assembly' and the second actuator assembly
`18 may be designated a “deceleration actuator assembly.”
`0049. The controller 68 may be configured such that trans
`ferring more weight forward onto the footpad 42, and there
`fore the force sensor 46 (of the first actuator assembly 16),
`will result in a greater amount of acceleration and result in a
`higher maximum velocity than transferring forward a lesser
`amount of weight onto the footpad 42. The controller 68 may
`be configured Such that transferring more weight rearward
`onto the footpad 42, and therefore the force sensor 46 (of the
`second actuator assembly 18), will result in a greater amount
`
` DGL Exhibit 1014
`Page 0012
`
`

`

`US 2013/0206493 A1
`
`Aug. 15, 2013
`
`of deceleration and result in reaching Zero Velocity faster than
`transferring rearward a lesser amount of weight onto the
`footpad 42.
`0050. It is contemplated that use of the first and second
`actuator assemblies 16, 18 makes controlling the electric
`motor 20 much easier and intuitive than by other methods.
`The electric motorized skateboard 10 is contemplated to
`reduce the physical requirements and learning curve present
`in motorized personal transportation, making the electric
`motorized skateboard 10 the easy way to learn to safely and
`properly control, by more effectively teaching fundamentals
`of balance, steering, speed management, and other control
`characteristics. T