A stability and control-augmented vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle, such as a bicycle, motorbike, kick scooter or electric scooter, having an upright steering column 12 with a front wheel 10 at its lower end, the steering column being rotatable about a stee

Claims

1. A vehicle including:a vehicle body;5 an upright steering column having a front wheel rotatably coupled to its lowerend, wherein the steering column is rotatable relative to the vehicle body about a steering axis; anda stabilising mass fixedly coupled to the steering column, the mass being in the range of 0.2 to 5.0kg,io wherein the centre of gravity of the stabilising mass is spaced from thesteering axis by a distance in the range of 0.02 to 0.25m, and at a height above the ground in the range 0.1 to 1,5m,the stabilising mass is coupled to the steering column such that, when the vehicle experiences a roll acceleration to one side, the inertia of the stabilising mass is causes a torque to be exerted on the steering column in a direction which urges the front wheel to turn towards the one side so as to counter the roll motion, andwherein the product of the magnitude of the stabilising mass, the distance between the centre of gravity of the stabilising mass and the steering axis, and the height of the stabilising mass above the ground is in the range 0.05 to 0.35 kg.m2.

202. A vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an electric scooter.

3. A vehicle of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, when the steering column isorientated for motion straight forwards, the centre of gravity of the stabilising mass is 25 located rearwardly of the steering axis.

4. A vehicle of claim 3, wherein the stabilising mass is rigidly coupled to the steering column.30 5. A vehicle of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the stabilising mass comprises anelongate body.

6. A vehicle of any preceding claim, wherein the stabilising mass has a mounting coupling at opposite ends.

7. A vehicle of any preceding claim, wherein the stabilising mass comprises separate mass and support components, with the support component carrying the mass component.

8. A vehicle of any preceding claim, wherein the stabilising mass is integrally formed.

9. A vehicle of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stabilising mass comprises a battery for powering the vehicle.

10. A vehicle of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, when the steering column is orientated for motion straight forwards, the centre of gravity of the stabilising mass is located forwardly of the steering axis, and the stabilising mass is coupled to the steering column via a coupling arranged such that the centre of gravity of the stabilising mass is able to generate a torque about an upright rotational axis, and rotation of the stabilising mass about its rotational axis in one direction causes a torque to be exerted on the steering column in the opposite direction.

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