# US 10,245,520 B2 · Powered ride-on vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,520 B2 - Document ID: US10245520B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/728,984 - Filed: 2017-10-10 - Published: 2018-04-12 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-11 - Assignees: Radio Flyer Inc. - Applicants: Radio Flyer Inc. - Inventors: Matthew E. Young; Benjamin P. Marggraf; Daniel R. Greenberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245520B2 ## CPC - A63H 17/38: actuated by hand - A63H 29/22: Electric drives (power supply through track A63H18/12) - B60K 28/00: Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions (electric safety devices on electrically-propelled vehicles B60L3/00) - B60L 15/2009: {for braking} - B60L 15/2036: {Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles} - B62D 1/04: Hand wheels - B62D 9/002: {combined with means for differentially distributing power on the deflectable wheels during cornering} - G05D 1/0011: {associated with a remote control arrangement} - B60L 2200/20: Vehicles specially adapted for children, e.g. toy vehicles - B60L 2220/42: with use of more than one motor - B60L 2240/12: Speed - B60L 2240/24: Steering angle - B60L 2240/42: related to electric machines - B60L 2240/421: Speed - B60Y 2200/81: Toys - Y02T 10/64: Electric machine technologies in electromobility - Y02T 10/72: Electric energy management in electromobility - A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A ride-on vehicle is provided that has drive and spin functionalities. The ride-on vehicle comprises a first motor for a first drive wheel, and a second motor for a second drive wheel. The vehicle has a steering wheel having a go selector and a spin selector. A sensor obtains an output of the angular rotation location of the steering wheel. A controller is electrically connected to the first and second motors, the go selector, the spin selector, and the steering wheel sensor, wherein engaging the go selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to move forward, left or right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel, and wherein engaging the spin selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to spin left or spin right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel. The vehicle may also be controlled remotely by a remote control. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A powered ride-on vehicle comprising: a frame supported by a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel and at least one non-driven support wheel; a first motor connected to the first drive wheel; a second motor connected to the second drive wheel; a steering wheel supported by the frame, the steering wheel having a go selector and a spin selector; a sensor operably connected to the steering wheel to obtain an output of the angular location of the steering wheel; and, a controller operably electrically connected to the first and second motors, the go selector, the spin selector, and the steering wheel sensor, wherein engaging the go selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to move forward, left or right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel, and wherein engaging the spin selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to spin left or spin right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 1, wherein there are three zones of the angular location of the steering wheel: forward, left turn and right turn. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 2, wherein the controller adjusts the speed of the motors based on the angular location of the steering wheel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 2, wherein the controller adjusts the speed of the motors based on the signal received from the sensor coupled to the steering wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 2, wherein the left turn zone further comprises two zones, a gentle left turn zone and a full left turn zone, and wherein the right turn zone further comprises two zones, a gentle right turn zone and a full right turn zone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 1, wherein the support wheels are casters. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 2, wherein when the go selector is engaged and the steering wheel is in the left turn zone, power to the first drive wheel is decreased to have the vehicle turn left, and when the go selector is engaged and the steering wheel is in the right turn zone, power to the second drive wheel is decreased to have the vehicle turn right. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the first motor and a sensor coupled to the second motor, the sensors providing signals to the controller of the speed of the motor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 8, wherein the controller adjusts the speed of the motors based on the signals received from the sensors coupled to the motors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a parent override switch on the vehicle and electrically connected to the controller; a wireless receiver electrically connected to the controller; and, a remote control having an input member and a wireless transmitter for sending signals to the controller of the vehicle, wherein the controller provides for three modes of operation of the ride-on vehicle, including a child only drive mode, a partial child and partial remote drive mode, and a full remote drive mode, and wherein the controller switches between the three modes of operation in real time based on signals received from the remote control and a position of the parent override switch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 10, further comprising an emergency stop button on the remote control, the controller causing the motors to transition to stop when the emergency stop button is depressed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second motors operate in the forward and reverse directions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a motor controller connected to the first and second motors, and a microcontroller connected to the motor controller. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 1, wherein the go selector and the spin selector are connected to the steering wheel. ### Claim 15 A powered ride-on vehicle comprising: a frame supported by a pair of drive wheels and at least one support wheel; one or more motors connected to the drive wheels, the motors operating in the forward and reverse directions; a steering wheel supported by the frame; a go selector; a spin selector; and, a controller operably electrically connected to the one or more motors, the go selector, the spin selector, and the steering wheel, wherein engaging the go selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to move forward, left or right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel, and wherein engaging the spin selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to spin left or spin right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel, by operating the pair of drive wheels in opposing directions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a sensor operably connected to the steering wheel to obtain an output of the angular location of the steering wheel, the sensor electrically connected with the controller. ### Claim 17 The powered ride-on vehicle 15, further comprising: a wireless receiver electrically connected to the controller; and, a remote control having an input member and a wireless transmitter for sending signals to the controller of the vehicle, wherein the controller provides for three modes of operation of the ride-on vehicle, including a child only drive mode, a partial child and partial remote drive mode, and a full remote drive mode, and wherein the controller switches between the three modes of operation in real time based on signals received from the remote control. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 17, further comprising a parent override switch on the vehicle and electrically connected to the controller. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 18, wherein when the parent override switch is in an off position the controller operates in child only drive mode, and signals from the remote control do not control operation of the vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 18, wherein when the vehicle is in the full remote drive mode, movement of the steering wheel does not control movement of the vehicle. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 18, wherein the vehicle will not operate when the parent override switch is in an override setting and when the remote control is off. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 18, wherein the vehicle will not operate when the parent override switch is in an override setting and when the receiver electrically connected to the controller is not receiving a satisfactory signal from the remote control. ### Claim 23 A powered ride-on vehicle comprising: a frame supported by a pair of drive wheels and at least one support wheel; one or more motors connected to the drive wheels, the motors operating in the forward and reverse directions; a steering wheel supported by the frame; a go selector; a spin selector; a controller operably electrically connected to the one or more motors, the go selector, the spin selector, and the steering wheel, wherein engaging the go selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to move forward, left or right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel, and wherein engaging the spin selector and turning the steering wheel causes the vehicle to spin left or spin right, depending on the angular location of the steering wheel; a wireless receiver electrically connected to the controller; and, a remote control having an input member and a wireless transmitter for sending signals to the controller of the vehicle, wherein the controller provides for three modes of operation of the ride-on vehicle, including a child only drive mode, a partial child and partial remote drive mode, and a full remote drive mode, wherein the controller switches between the three modes of operation in real time based on signals received from the remote control, and wherein the controller operates the vehicle to move forward, move left, or move right in the partial remote drive mode and the full remote drive mode. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 23, further comprising a sensor operably connected to the steering wheel to obtain an output of the angular location of the steering wheel, the sensor electrically connected with the controller. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The powered ride-on vehicle of claim 23, wherein the remote control further has an emergency stop button, and wherein when the emergency stop button is engaged the one or more motors are transitioned to stop.