IP Library Granted Patent US 7,885,747
Granted Patent B2
US 7,885,747 · App. 11/686,231 · Granted Feb 8, 2011

Scooter shifter

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,885,747
App. No.
11/686,231
Granted
Feb 8, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for automatically adjusting a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a motorized vehicle. A microprocessor processor in the vehicle receives data about the operating status of the vehicle from a plurality. Examples of vehicle data include vehicle speed, motor speed, throttle position, current draw from a battery, and battery level. A servo motor is in mechanical communication with the CVT and provides an axial force to adjust the CVT. The microprocessor uses lookup tables of optimal set points for vehicle data to instruct the servo motor to adjust the transmission ratio of the CVT according to the vehicle data provided by the sensors.

Claims (59)

1. A system for automatically adjusting a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a motorized vehicle, the system comprising:

a microprocessor;

a plurality of sensors that provide said microprocessor with data about the operating status of the vehicle;

a servo motor in mechanical communication with the CVT, wherein the servo motor provides an axial force to adjust the CVT; and

a visual display adapted to display data from the microprocessor wherein the visual display is configured to allow a user to verify settings and measurements, wherein display readouts include at least one of the following:

wheel count

current amps

voltage in (current sensor for motor)

motor RPM

wheel RPM; and

MPH;

wherein the microprocessor instructs said servo motor to adjust the transmission ratio of the CVT according to the vehicle data provided by said sensors.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle data provided to the microprocessor by said sensors comprises at least one of the following:

vehicle speed;

motor speed;

throttle position;

current draw from a battery;

battery level;

CVT setting;

control settings of a motor control device;

wind direction;

wind speed; and

tire pressure.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain the best vehicle performance.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain optimal efficiency of the vehicle.

5. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a 90° gearbox that provides mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT.

6. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a rack and pinion style linear actuator that provides mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the servo motor is mounted on a vehicle wheel, adjacent to the CVT.

8. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a pulley system and cables that provide mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle is a battery powered scooter.

10. A method for automatically adjusting a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a motorized vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

programming a microprocessor in the vehicle with lookup tables of optimum set points for vehicle data;

providing data about vehicle operating status from a plurality of sensors to said microprocessor;

providing a visual display adapted to display data from the microprocessor, wherein the visual display is configured to allow a user to verify settings and measurements, wherein display readouts include at least one of the following:

wheel count

current amps

voltage in (current sensor for motor)

motor RPM

wheel RPM; and

MPH; and

sending instructions from said microprocessor to a servo motor in mechanical communication with the CVT to adjust the transmission ratio of the CVT according to the vehicle data provided by said sensors.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the vehicle data provided to the microprocessor by said sensors comprises at least one of the following:

vehicle speed;

motor speed;

throttle position;

current draw from a battery;

battery level;

CVT setting;

control settings of a motor control device;

wind direction;

wind speed; and

tire pressure.

12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain the best vehicle performance.

13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed with lookup tables to provide optimum set points for vehicle data inputs to obtain optimal efficiency of the vehicle.

14. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising providing mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT using a 90° gearbox.

15. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising providing mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT using a rack and pinion style linear actuator.

16. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising mounting the servo motor on a vehicle wheel, adjacent to the CVT.

17. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising providing mechanical communication between the servo motor and the CVT using a pulley system and cables.

18. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the motor vehicle is a battery powered scooter.

Assignments (13)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2024
From: ENVIOLO INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: ENVIOLO B.V.
Reel/Frame 067964/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2024
From: ENVIOLO INC.
To: ENVIOLO INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 068098/0023 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2024
From: FALLBROOK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY LLC
To: ENVIOLO INC.
Reel/Frame 068511/0716 →
LICENSE Recorded May 4, 2022
From: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
To: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FALLBROOK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 059853/0560 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBERS 8700214 AND 9239090 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 043837 FRAME 0903. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE LICENSE. Recorded Jan 12, 2018
From: FALLBROOK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY LLC.
To: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
Reel/Frame 045059/0903 →
LICENSE Recorded Sep 13, 2017
From: FALLBROOK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY LLC.
To: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
Reel/Frame 043837/0903 →
RELEASE Recorded Aug 7, 2012
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK
To: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 028796/0140 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2012
From: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: FALLBROOK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 028651/0236 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2012
From: NGEN III, L.P.
To: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 028639/0872 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 9, 2012
From: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 027830/0217 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 30, 2012
From: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: NGEN III, L.P.
Reel/Frame 027620/0783 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2008
From: AUTOCRAFT INDUSTRIES INC.
To: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 021462/0406 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2008
From: MILLER, KEITH; POXTON, PETER
To: AUTOCRAFT INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 020721/0917 →