Docking module for two-wheeled vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a docking module for two-wheeled personal vehicles that can execute an assisted docking protocol that automatically lifts the vehicle to a vertical position during the docking process to provide more space-efficient storage. Vehicles docked in this manner can be safely stored until needed, after which they can be undocked in a similarly assisted manner. The docking module accomplishes this using a motorized assembly that lifts the front wheel clamp off the ground in response to a wheel sensor trigger. Lifting continues until the same wheel sensor detects the approach of the vehicle's rear wheel, at which point the vehicle is locked in place. There is no lifting required by the user, and the modular design of the dock allows for installation at a variety of anchorage points.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Non-provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 669,996, filed February 11, 2022.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a docking system for small vehicles, and more particularly to a docking module configured to execute an assisted docking protocol for storing a small vehicle in a substantially vertical position. [Background technology]

[0003] The use of personal electric vehicles is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, a trend that shows no signs of slowing, as small electric vehicles such as e-scooters and bicycles offer an energy-efficient and convenient means of transportation through crowded environments such as large cities.

[0004] With this increased usage, the storage of these vehicles has become an increasingly logistical problem. Currently available docking station solutions typically involve long rows of stands where two-wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles and scooters, can be locked so that they are adjacent and parallel to one another. This solution is not particularly space-efficient, as the vehicles are docked in a horizontal position and are longer than they are tall. Furthermore, the need to individually anchor each stand to prevent theft limits the adaptability of these prior art docking systems.

[0005] What is needed is a more space-efficient means of docking small personal vehicles that stores the vehicle in a vertical position while allowing the user to easily dock and undock the vehicle without having to effortfully lift the vehicle itself.

[0006] Furthermore, there is a need for a docking solution that can be coupled to anchorage points in a versatile and modular manner.

[0007] It is within this context that the present invention is provided. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure provides a docking module for two-wheeled personal vehicles that can execute an assisted docking protocol that automatically lifts the vehicle to a vertical position during the docking process to provide more space-efficient storage. Vehicles docked in this manner can be safely stored until needed, after which they can be undocked in a similarly assisted manner. The docking module accomplishes this using a motorized assembly that lifts the front wheel clamp off the ground in response to a wheel sensor trigger. Lifting continues until the same wheel sensor detects the approach of the vehicle's rear wheel, at which point the vehicle is locked in place. There is no lifting required by the user, and the modular design of the dock allows for installation at a variety of anchorage points.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a docking module for a two-wheeled personal vehicle is provided, the module comprising: a protective housing; a motorized assembly disposed within the housing; a conveyor having a vertical track disposed on a first side of the housing and coupled to the motorized assembly; a front wheel clamp attached to an outer surface of the conveyor; and a wheel sensor positioned at a bottom of the first side of the housing.

[0010] The docking module further includes a controller coupled to the wheel sensor, the nose wheel clamp, and the motorized assembly and configured to perform an auxiliary docking process in response to a detection from the wheel sensor to lock the nose wheel clamp around a front wheel of the vehicle and lift the vehicle to a vertical position by raising the nose wheel clamp along the conveyor until a second detection from the wheel sensor indicates proximity of the rear wheel at the bottom of the housing.

[0011] In some embodiments, the docking module further includes a charging port or cable coupled to the controller, the controller further configured to direct power to the charging port or cable after the assisted docking process is completed.

[0012] In some embodiments, the wheel clamp includes a linear actuator for applying a predetermined holding force to the front wheel along a horizontal direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the wheel clamp further includes an arrangement of three rods configured to encircle the front wheel of the scooter.

[0014] In some embodiments, the wheel clamp includes a horizontally oriented rod attached to a first clamp plate and configured to move horizontally, and a second clamp plate configured to interlock with the rod and the first clamp plate after the rod is inserted horizontally through the spokes of the bicycle wheel.

[0015] The wheel clamp may also include an inductive / capacitive sensor coupled to the controller, the controller further configured to stop movement of the clamp plate in response to detecting an indication that the wheel spoke has entered the path of the rod, forming an inductive / capacitive sensor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the docking module further includes a ramp positioned at the bottom of the first side of the housing to assist the user in getting the front wheel of the vehicle into position for locking with the front wheel clamp.

[0017] In some embodiments, the docking module further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the controller and positioned in the intermediate portion of the housing, the controller configured to operate the locking mechanism to clamp around a body of the docked vehicle for support and anti-theft purposes after a second detection from the wheel sensors.

[0018] In such an example, the locking mechanism may include a pair of motorized clamping elements protruding from opposite sides of a first side of the housing, and the clamping elements may be configured to be stored within the housing when not in use.

[0019] In some embodiments, a coupling mechanism having a bracket and a power supply port disposed on an opposite second side of the housing is included for coupling the module to the fusing device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the powered assembly includes a lead screw coupled to the electric motor to prevent unintended backward movement of the conveyor in the event of a power outage.

[0021] In some embodiments, the nose wheel clamp is coupled to the conveyor by a rotatable joint to accommodate changes in orientation of the vehicle's nose wheel during the assisted docking process.

[0022] The rotatable joint may include a rotatable support bearing coupled to a pair of inner guide rails of the motorized assembly.

[0023] In some embodiments, the rear wheel clamp is coupled to the controller and positioned at the bottom of the housing.

[0024] In such an example, the controller may be further configured to close a rear wheel clamp around a rear wheel of the docked vehicle in response to detection of the second wheel sensor.

[0025] In some embodiments, the powered assembly includes one or more weight or force sensors configured to detect a current strain on the powered assembly by a docked or docking vehicle, and the controller is configured to stop the docking protocol in response to detecting that the strain exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0026] Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an isometric perspective view of a first exemplary configuration of a docking module according to the present disclosure, in which a scooter vehicle has its front wheel proximate to a front wheel clamp at the start of an assisted docking process. [Diagram 2] 1 is an isometric perspective view of a first exemplary docking module, where the scooter vehicle has completed an assisted docking process and is stored in a vertical position. The docking module is shown with the outer housing removed. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an isometric perspective view of a second exemplary configuration of a docking module according to the present disclosure, where a bicycle vehicle has its front wheel proximate to the front wheel clamp at the start of an assisted docking process. The docking module is shown with the outer housing removed. [Figure 4] 1 is an isometric perspective view of a second exemplary docking module, where the bicycle has completed the assisted docking process and is stored in a vertical position. The docking module is shown with the outer housing removed. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates a close-up view of a front wheel clamp of a first exemplary configuration engaged around a wheel of a scooter. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a close-up view of a front wheel clamp of a second exemplary configuration engaged around a bicycle wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Common reference numerals are used to denote like elements throughout the figures and detailed description. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples, and that other architectures, modes of operation, sequences of operation, and elements / functions may be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[0029] The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the present invention. These embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the present invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, and is limited only by the claims.

[0030] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For purposes of clarity, technical matters known in the art related to the present invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0031] definition The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, it will be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0032] The terms "about" and "approximately" are generally intended to mean an acceptable degree of error or variation for the quantity measured given the nature or precision of the measurement. Typical and exemplary degrees of error or variation are within 20 percent (%), preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of a given value or range of values. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate unless otherwise stated, i.e., the term "about" or "approximately" can be inferred when not expressly stated.

[0033] When a feature or element is referred to as being "on" another feature or element, it will be understood that it may be directly on the other feature or element, or that intervening features and / or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements. Also, when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached," or "coupled" to another feature or element, it will be understood that it may be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element, or that intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly attached," or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements. Although described or illustrated with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or illustrated may be applicable to other embodiments.

[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0035] Spatially relative terms such as "under," "below," "lower," "over," "upper," etc. may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to other elements or features when the device is in a correct orientation.

[0036] In this specification, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element described below can be referred to as a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element described below can be referred to as a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0037] This disclosure provides a novel design for a docking station for two-wheeled small vehicles. Two embodiments are described, one for docking scooters and one for docking bicycles, but the principles applied to both are the same - the ability to perform an assisted docking sequence via a motorized assembly that raises the two-wheeled vehicle to a vertical position for storing the two-wheeled vehicle in a more space-efficient manner, and the use of wheel sensors to trigger the start and end of the assisted docking process. Also, both modules are designed to fit and interface with the core anchoring device that is the subject of a co-pending patent application.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 , an isometric perspective view of a first exemplary configuration of a docking module 100 for a scooter vehicle 200 is shown with its front wheel 202 proximate to the front wheel clamp 106 of the docking module 100 at the start of an assisted docking process.

[0039] As can be seen, the module 100 has an outer protective housing 102 which has a conveyor mechanism 104 that spans the entire height of the module on one side from bottom to top. A front wheel clamp 106 is attached to the conveyor 104 and can move up and down along its length when moved by an internal motorized assembly. In this example, the bottom of the housing is provided with a ramp 108 that allows the front wheel 202 of the scooter to be easily rolled into position ready for docking.

[0040] The ramp is equipped with wheel sensors 116, which may be pressure sensors or other types of sensors suitable for detecting the presence or proximity of a wheel. Once the wheel is detected to be in place, the controller of the docking module 100 causes the front wheel clamp 106 to close around the wheel of the scooter and begins to lift the clamp upward along the conveyor 104, lifting the front wheel with it as the assisted docking process begins.

[0041] The height to which the front wheel 202 should be raised on the docking module 100 varies depending on the size and make of the scooter. Therefore, instead of stopping at a predetermined height, the controller is configured to continue raising the wheel until the rear wheel triggers the wheel sensor, which remains at ground level, for a second time, indicating that the docking scooter has reached a vertical position, and the controller stops the powered assembly from further raising the front wheel.

[0042] To make docking the scooter more secure and to deter theft, the example module is also provided with a pair of clamp arms 110 and 112 at half its height. The clamp arms are connected to the housing on either side by motorized hinge joints 122. When a second wheel sensor trigger is detected, the controller operates another motor to close these arms around the body of the scooter, locking it in place until the undocking sequence is initiated.

[0043] The controller, along with any other control and power circuitry, can be housed in a rear compartment 114. In some embodiments, this rear side of the docking module is configured to interface with and utilize power from a fusing device, and the controller of the docking module 100 is configured to interface with and receive instructions from the fusing device controller.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, the exemplary docking module 100 of the first embodiment is shown with the scooter vehicle 200 having completed the assisted docking process and stored in a vertical position.

[0045] The docking module 100 is shown with the outer housing removed to reveal the internal components of the motor assembly. In this example, the assembly includes an electric motor 118 near the bottom of the module that is coupled to a lead screw 120 that runs the entire length of the module, which is coupled to a wheel clamp 106. The wheel clamp 106 is coupled to a pair of guide rails 126 such that as the lead screw 120 is rotated by the motor 118, the wheel clamp 106 moves linearly up or down the conveyor.

[0046] The use of the lead screw 120 to move the wheel clamp 106 is advantageous because it prevents the wheel clamp 106 from falling when power is not applied to the motor assembly and does not require power to maintain a vertical position of the docked scooter.

[0047] The wheel clamp in this example utilizes a three pin system to encircle the scooter wheel, with a hinged joint 124 having a first moveable pin on one side, a second pin in the middle, and a third pin on the opposite side of the wheel. The wheel clamp 106 is mounted to a guide rail 126 by a set of bearings 128 which provide a rotational degree of freedom to allow for rotation of the scooter wheel as it transitions from a horizontal to a vertical position and vice versa.

[0048] A set of screws 130 on the rear side of the module 100 can be used to couple the module 100 to a fusing device.

[0049] 3 and 4, similar perspective views of a second exemplary configuration of the docking module 200 designed for docking a bicycle are shown. Figure 3 shows the bicyclist 400 with the front wheel 402 proximate to the front wheel clamp 306 at the start of the assisted docking process, and Figure 4 shows the bicycle after the docking process is completed. The docking module 200 is shown with the outer housing removed in both figures.

[0050] The overall structure and function of the bicycle docking module is very similar to the scooter module, including a ramp 308, a wheel sensor 316 for detecting the front wheel 402 in proximity to the ramp, an electric motor 318 and lead screw 320 for lifting the wheel clamp to the top of the module along a set of guide rails 326, and a pair of longer clamp arms 310 and 312 for securing the body of a docked bicycle. The rear of the module 200 also includes a control circuit box 314 and a set of screws 330 for interfacing with an anchoring device.

[0051] The structure of the wheel clamp is where most of the design differences lie, as bicycle wheels are much larger and cannot be enclosed in a practical manner, the wheel clamp of the second embodiment instead utilizes a pair of locking plates: one movable locking plate 334 containing a pin that is moved horizontally to insert the pin through the spokes of the bicycle wheel 402, and one stationary locking plate 336 that receives the pin and acts in conjunction with the movable plate 334 to clamp the wheel between them.

[0052] The clamping process is initiated in response to an initial detection from the wheel sensor 316. The wheel clamp may include a capacitive or inductive sensor to detect when a spoke of the bicycle wheel enters the path of the pin 334.

[0053] Because bicycles are generally heavier than scooters, the bicycle docking module 300 also includes a rear wheel clamp 332 coupled to the ramp 308. The rear wheel clamp also includes a pair of plates that can be operated by the controller to close around the bicycle's rear wheel 404 in response to a second detection from the wheel sensor 316.

[0054] Returning to the first example scooter module, Figure 5 shows a preferred construction of the scooter wheel clamp in more detail.

[0055] Because scooter wheels come in a variety of sizes, the clamp needs to be able to adjust the position of the three pins to suit the scooter currently docked and then apply the appropriate clamping pressure. This is achieved by having one pin 136 that is moveable by changing the angle of the hinged joint 124 to which the second pin is attached. The moveable pin 136 then retracts, forcing the front of the wheel 202 against the third pin 134. The force applied by the clamp is driven by a linear actuator 132, which can be adjusted by a limit switch 138.

[0056] As mentioned above, the entire wheel clamp assembly has some rotational freedom relative to the housing via bearings 128, allowing the scooter to smoothly transition between vertical and horizontal even with the front wheel clamped.

[0057] 6 similarly shows a close-up view of the front wheel clamp of the bicycle docking module 300 engaged with the front wheel 402 of a bicycle. As can be seen, the pin 334 is inserted through the spoke 406. The bottom of the wheel engages the pressure sensor 316 and the clamp plates come together, initiating the assisted docking process.

[0058] The controller can be any suitable type of computer. The computer can be a uniprocessor or a multiprocessor machine. Thus, the computer can include one or more processors, and thus the computer system described above can also include one or more processors. Examples of processors include sequential state machines, microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphic processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on chips (SoCs), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gate logic, programmable control boards (PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functions described throughout this disclosure.

[0059] Further, a computer may include one or more memories. Thus, the computer system described above may include one or more memories. The memory may include memory storage devices or addressable storage media, which may include, by way of example, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), hard disks, floppy disks, laser disk players, digital video disks, compact disks, video tapes, audio tapes, magnetic recording tracks, magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memories, optical memory storage, quantum mechanical storage, electronic networks, and / or other devices or technologies used to store electronic content, such as programs and data. In particular, the one or more memories may store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the procedures and techniques described herein. The one or more processors may be operatively associated with the one or more memories such that the computer-executable instructions may be provided to the one or more processors for execution. For example, one or more processors may be operatively associated with one or more memories via one or more buses.

[0060] The computer may advantageously include control logic, or program logic, or other board configurations representing data and instructions, which cause the computer to operate in a particular, predefined manner as described herein. In particular, the computer program, when executed, enables the control processor to execute and / or cause the execution of the features of the present disclosure. The control logic may advantageously be implemented as one or more modules. The modules may advantageously be configured to reside on the computer memory and execute on one or more processors. Modules include, but are not limited to, software or hardware components that perform specific tasks. Thus, modules may include components such as, by way of example, software components, processes, functions, subroutines, procedures, attributes, class components, task components, object-oriented software components, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, and / or the like.

[0061] It is to be understood that operations in a computer are often referred to in terms such as adding, comparing, moving, searching, and the like, which are often associated with manual operations performed by a human operator. It is to be understood that the involvement of a human operator may not be necessary or even desirable. The operations described herein are machine operations performed in conjunction with a human operator or user who interacts with one or more computers.

[0062] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Furthermore, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this specification.

[0063] The disclosed embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. Although a particular configuration of the docking module has been described in a particular way with reference to the illustrated embodiment, it is understood that the invention can be applied to a wide variety of solutions that fall within the scope and spirit of the claims. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.

[0064] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention, and reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A docking module for a two-wheeled personal vehicle, comprising: A protective housing; an electromotive assembly disposed within the housing; a conveyor having a vertical track disposed on a first side of the housing and coupled to the motorized assembly; a front wheel clamp attached to an outer surface of the conveyor; a wheel sensor positioned at a bottom of the first side of the housing; a controller coupled to the wheel sensor, the nose wheel clamp, and the motorized assembly, configured to perform an auxiliary docking process in response to a detection from the wheel sensor to lock the nose wheel clamp around a front wheel of a vehicle and lift the vehicle to a vertical position by raising the nose wheel clamp along the conveyor until a second detection from the wheel sensor indicates proximity of a rear wheel at the bottom of the housing; A docking module containing

2. 10. The docking module of claim 1, further comprising a charging port or cable coupled to the controller, the controller further configured to direct power to the charging port or cable after the assisted docking process is completed.

3. The docking module of claim 1 , wherein the wheel clamp includes a linear actuator for applying a predetermined holding force to the front wheel along a horizontal direction.

4. The docking module of claim 1 , wherein the wheel clamp further comprises an arrangement of three rods configured to encircle a front wheel of a scooter.

5. 2. The docking module of claim 1, wherein the wheel clamp includes a horizontally oriented rod attached to a first clamp plate and configured to move horizontally, and a second clamp plate configured to interlock with the rod and the first clamp plate after the rod is inserted horizontally through a spoke of a bicycle wheel.

6. 6. The docking module of claim 5, wherein the wheel clamp further includes an inductive / capacitive sensor coupled to the controller, the controller further configured to stop movement of the clamp plate in response to detecting an indication that a wheel spoke has entered the path of the rod, forming the inductive / capacitive sensor.

7. 2. The docking module of claim 1, further comprising a ramp positioned at a bottom of the first side of the housing to assist a user in getting a front wheel of a vehicle into position for locking with the front wheel clamp.

8. 2. The docking module of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the controller and positioned in an intermediate portion of the housing, the controller configured to operate the locking mechanism to clamp around a body of a docked vehicle for support and theft prevention after a second detection from the wheel sensors.

9. The docking module of claim 8 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a pair of motorized clamping elements projecting from opposite sides of the first side of the housing.

10. The docking module of claim 9 , wherein the clamping element is configured to be stored within the housing when not in use.

11. The docking module of claim 1 , further comprising a coupling mechanism having a bracket and a power supply port disposed on an opposite second side of the housing for coupling the module to a fusing device.

12. The docking module of claim 1 , wherein the motorized assembly includes a lead screw coupled to an electric motor to prevent unintended backward movement of the conveyor in the event of a power outage.

13. The docking module of claim 1 , wherein the nose wheel clamp is coupled to the conveyor by a rotatable joint to accommodate changes in vehicle nose wheel orientation during the assisted docking process.

14. The docking module of claim 13 , wherein the rotatable joint includes a rotatable support bearing coupled to a pair of inner guide rails of the electromotive assembly.

15. The docking module of claim 1 , further comprising a rear wheel clamp coupled to the controller and positioned at a bottom of the housing.

16. The docking module of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to close the rear wheel clamp about a rear wheel of the docked vehicle in response to detection of a second wheel sensor.

17. 2. The docking module of claim 1, wherein the powered assembly includes one or more weight or force sensors configured to detect a current strain on the powered assembly by a docked or docking vehicle, and the controller is configured to stop a docking protocol in response to detecting that the strain exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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