Patents Assigned to Lit Motors Corporation
  • Patent number: 11648994
    Abstract: Steering is used to augment the CMG-based balance control of a two-wheeled vehicle, e.g., a bicycle, electric bicycle (“ebike”), scooter, electric scooter, moped, or motorcycle. A control architecture enables a two wheeled vehicle with simultaneously or alternating mechatronic attitude control systems to balance autonomously at rest or while dynamically driven with mechatronic command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David Arthur Bailey, Daniel Kee Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11332204
    Abstract: An augmented traction system for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a CMG (control moment gyroscope) system including a plurality of CMGs to provide a first torque vector to decrease a roll angle of a turn of the vehicle and to increase force on one or more of the tires of the vehicle on a road surface, a steering system for the vehicle, the steering system to determine a steering control for the turn of the vehicle at a particular vehicle speed and roll angle, based on sensor data, and an aerodynamic control system to actuate one or more aerodynamic elements of the vehicle, the one or more aerodynamic elements to provide a second torque vector to decrease the roll angle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, David Arthur Bailey
  • Patent number: 11167816
    Abstract: A control system for a two-wheeled vehicle, including an inertial measurement unit (IMU); one or more control moment gyroscopes (CMGs); one or more CMG controllers to control the one or more CMGs; an accelerometer to measure a y-axis acceleration for the vehicle, the y-axis being perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle and parallel to a ground surface; and a processing element to calculate a roll angle for the vehicle based at least in part on the y-axis acceleration measured by the accelerometer, determine a force component based at least in part on the calculated roll angle, and generate a CMG command for a CMG gimbal rate based at least in part on the determined force component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David Arthur Bailey
  • Patent number: 9873452
    Abstract: A drive-by-wire steering system on a vehicle requiring counter-steering includes a driver input mechanism, for example, a steering wheel, joystick, voice command receiver, or keyboard, and a control system. A sensor receives driver input and sends that information to the control system. An engagement mechanism, for example, a clutch, separates the driver input mechanism from controlling the vehicle. The control system further includes at least one actuator, a wheel, and a mechanical linkage controllable via the engagement mechanism in order for the control system to articulate a steering mechanism, for example, the front wheel of the vehicle, as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Colin Wade
  • Patent number: 9434431
    Abstract: A drive-by-wire steering system on a vehicle requiring counter-steering includes a driver input mechanism, for example, a steering wheel, joystick, voice command receiver, or keyboard, and a control system. A sensor receives driver input and sends that information to the control system. An engagement mechanism, for example, a clutch, separates the driver input mechanism from controlling the vehicle. The control system further includes at least one actuator, a wheel, and a mechanical linkage controllable via the engagement mechanism in order for the control system to articulate a steering mechanism, for example, the front wheel of the vehicle, as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Colin Wade
  • Patent number: 9273961
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a vehicle stabilization control unit may determine a control moment value for one or more gyroscopes coupled to a vehicle frame to exert for stabilization of the vehicle frame. A number of input axes for the flywheels of the one or more gyroscopes to precess may be increased in order to generate the determined control moment value. In some embodiments, the one or more gyroscopes are further coupled to a turntable, and increasing the number of input axes for the flywheels comprises rotating the turntable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the one or more gyroscopes comprise at least two gyroscopes coupled inline to the vehicle frame (e.g., aligned lengthwise with respect to the front and rear wheel to spin and precess in opposite directions with respect to each other).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Kee Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9061576
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe vehicles including a wheel (e.g., a front wheel or wheels), a wheel hub, a motor included in the wheel hub to transmit power to the wheel, one or more rolling bearings to support the wheel hub and having one or more rolling elements to enable rolling of the wheel, and a steering axle placed within the wheel hub for steering the wheel. Embodiments also describe a wheel (e.g., a rear wheel or wheels), a wheel hub, a motor included in the wheel hub to transmit power to the wheel, and a swing arm assembly having a first and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to a steering axle, the second end coupled to the motor. As described below, embodiments of the invention decrease volume necessary for a vehicle's drivetrain, while not adversely affecting the potential for vehicle interior volume and vehicle maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Eric Miller
  • Patent number: 8930128
    Abstract: Embodiments describe modules/logic/circuitry to receive image data identifying terrain, environment, and/or one or more objects near a vehicle, determine a projection of the one or more objects with respect to the vehicle, determine whether the one or more objects will collide with the vehicle, and in response to determining the one or more objects will collide, altering the vehicle state. In some embodiments, altering the vehicle state is based, at least in part, on a driver position with respect to the one or more objects determined to collide with the vehicle (e.g., moving the vehicle to protect the drive). In some embodiments, altering the vehicle state comprises at least one of adjusting brakes of the vehicle to alter its trajectory, adjusting a steering wheel of the vehicle to alter its trajectory and adjusting an orientation or rotational speed of a flywheel (for CMG assisted vehicles).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Marshall R. Millett
  • Patent number: 8919788
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe methods, apparatuses, and systems for enhanced vehicle stabilization solutions. Embodiments of the invention may receive sensor information from at least one sensor coupled to a vehicle having two or more wheels, the at least one sensor coupled to at least one of a wheel, a suspension component, or a frame of the vehicle. A tilt angle of the vehicle is determined from the received sensor information, the tilt angle comprising an offset angle from a reference plane for the vehicle. A controller transmits a command to one or more control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) coupled to the frame of the vehicle to produce a total angular moment based, at least in part, on the tilt angle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Eric Miller
  • Patent number: 8918239
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may transfer energy from a flywheel motor-generator to a capacitor bank in response to detecting an input to increase the speed of a vehicle, and transfer energy from a drive wheel motor-generator to a capacitor bank in response to detecting an input to decrease the speed of the vehicle. The flywheel motor-generator may function to transfer energy to and from a flywheel included in a gyroscope-stabilizer of the vehicle, while the capacitor bank, which includes a battery, may function to transfer energy to and from a drive wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Kevin Bretney
  • Patent number: 8706390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe receiving, via a plurality of sensors, data indicating vehicle information. Said information may indicate at least orientation of a frame of a vehicle, orientation of a front wheel of the vehicle with respect to the frame, orientation and rotational speed of a first and second flywheel, and speed of the vehicle. In one embodiment, each flywheel is included in a first and second gyroscope coupled to the vehicle frame. Based, at least in part, on the data received from the plurality of sensors, at least one of the orientation and rotational speed of at least one of the flywheels may be adjusted. Said adjustment may further be based on an input to change at least one of speed and direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Kevin Bretney, Andrew L. Tsang
  • Patent number: 8532915
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe receiving vehicle information data from a plurality of sensors. This vehicle information data may indicate at least orientation of a frame of a vehicle, orientation of a front wheel of the vehicle with respect to the frame, orientation and rotational speed of a flywheel included in a gyroscope coupled to the frame, and speed of frame. Based on the received data, a vehicle state may be determined. Based at least on this determination, at least one of the orientation and rotational speed of the flywheel may be adjusted. This adjustment may be further based on an input to change at least one of speed and direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Kevin Bretney, Andrew Shao, Andrew L. Tsang
  • Patent number: 8388005
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe a quadrilateral frame to be utilized by a two-wheeled vehicle. The quadrilateral frame may include front and rear vertical assemblies, top and bottom collapsible horizontal assemblies, the horizontal assemblies to collapse vertically. By collapsing the horizontal assemblies of the quadrilateral frame, it is to be understood that the space occupied by the vehicle when it is not in use is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Scott Weaving Lananna, Isao Takezawa