IP Library Granted Patent US 11,989,032
Granted Patent B2
US 11,989,032 · App. 17/317,583 · Granted May 21, 2024

Dynamic stabilization system and methods for an RC vehicle

Inventors: Paul Beard (Champaign, IL); Jukka Steenari (Champaign, IL); John Adams (Champaign, IL)
Assignee: HORIZON HOBBY, LLC
G05D1/028A63H17/36A63H17/395G01P15/02G05D1/0212A63H30/04
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,989,032
App. No.
17/317,583
Granted
May 21, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for stabilizing the steering and throttle of a radio-controlled (RC) vehicle are described herein. More specifically, sensors and circuitry are configured to control the wheel speed and wheel direction of a RC vehicle based on rotational information. In operation, one or more sensors may be configured to receive angular rotational information associated with a rotation of the RC vehicle. The rotational information may define a rotation of the RC vehicle around one or more axes of the RC vehicle. The circuitry may be configured to receive the angular rotation information associated with the rotation of the RC vehicle from the one or more sensors, and control a wheel speed and/or a wheel direction of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle based at least in part on (i) command data received from a controller associated with the RC vehicle and (ii) the received angular rotation information.

Claims (48)

1. A radio-controlled (RC) vehicle comprising:

an inertial measurement unit comprising one or more angular rate sensors configured to output angular rotation data associated with rotation of the RC vehicle about one or more axes;

and circuitry configured to:

receive the angular rotation data associated with the rotation of the RC vehicle from the inertial measurement unit;

receive command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle;

in response to receiving the command data and the angular rotation data, control a wheel direction of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle to maintain a heading of the RC vehicle;

wherein the circuitry is further configured to control the wheel direction based at least in part on a steering function; and

wherein the steering function comprises inputs that include a steering command, a rate gain, and a heading gain.

2. A radio-controlled (RC) vehicle comprising:

an inertial measurement unit comprising one or more angular rate sensors configured to output angular rotation data associated with rotation of the RC vehicle about one or more axes;

and circuitry configured to:

receive the angular rotation data associated with the rotation of the RC vehicle from the inertial measurement unit;

receive command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle;

in response to receiving the command data and the angular rotation data, control a wheel direction of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle to maintain a heading of the RC vehicle;

wherein the circuitry is further configured to, in response to receiving command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle and the received angular rotation information, control a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle;

wherein circuitry is further configured to:

determine whether a yaw rate exceeds a yaw rate threshold based on the determined angular rotation information; and

in response to determining that the yaw rate exceeds the yaw rate threshold, reduce the wheel speed.

3. A radio-controlled (RC) vehicle comprising:

an inertial measurement unit comprising one or more angular rate sensors configured to output angular rotation data associated with rotation of the RC vehicle about the one or more axes;

and a receiver configured to:

receive the angular rotation data associated with the rotation of the RC vehicle from the inertial measurement unit;

receive command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle;

in response to receiving the command data and the angular rotation data, control a wheel direction of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle to maintain a heading of the RC vehicle;

wherein the RC vehicle is further configured to control the wheel direction based at least in part on a steering function; and

wherein the steering function comprises inputs that include a steering command, a rate gain, and a heading gain.

4. A radio-controlled (RC) vehicle comprising:

an inertial measurement unit comprising one or more angular rate sensors configured to output angular rotation data associated with rotation of the RC vehicle about the one or more axes;

and a receiver configured to:

receive the angular rotation data associated with the rotation of the RC vehicle from the inertial measurement unit;

receive command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle;

in response to receiving the command data and the angular rotation data, control a wheel direction of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle to maintain a heading of the RC vehicle;

wherein the RC vehicle is further configured to, in response to receiving command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle and the received angular rotation information, control a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle;

wherein the RC vehicle is further configured to:

determine whether a yaw rate exceeds a yaw rate threshold based on the received angular rotation information; and

in response to determining that the yaw rate exceeds the yaw rate threshold, reduce the wheel speed.

5. An inertial measurement unit for use in a radio-controlled (RC) vehicle, the inertial measurement unit comprising one or more angular rate sensors configured to output angular rotation data associated with rotation of the RC vehicle about the one or more axes;

and circuitry configured to:

receive the angular rotation data associated with the rotation of the RC vehicle from the inertial measurement unit;

receive command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle;

in response to receiving the command data and the angular rotation data, control a wheel direction of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle to maintain a heading of the RC vehicle;

wherein circuitry is further configured to control the wheel direction based at least in part on a steering threshold intervention;

wherein circuitry is further configured to control the wheel direction based at least in part on a steering function; and

wherein the steering function comprises inputs that include a steering command, a rate gain, and a heading gain.

6. The inertial measurement unit of claim 5 , wherein circuitry is further configured to:

in response to receiving command data from a controller associated with the RC vehicle and the received angular rotation information, control a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the RC vehicle;

determine whether a yaw rate exceeds a yaw rate threshold based on the received angular rotation information; and

in response to determining that the yaw rate exceeds the yaw rate threshold, reduce the wheel speed.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2021
From: BEARD, PAUL; STEENARI, JUKKA; ADAMS, JOHN
To: HORIZON HOBBY, LLC
Reel/Frame 056205/0419 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16733838 · Jan 3, 2020
Continuation 15137938 · Apr 25, 2016
Continuation 14292307 · May 30, 2014
Provisional Application 61885953 · Oct 2, 2013
Related Publication 20210263517A1 · Aug 26, 2021