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US 9,849,901 B2Granted
Container with power assist wheels
OwnerDane Jackmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a structure which may include an outer housing, an inner lining, an insulation space in between, a top, an inner platform, a charging station, a wireless charging panel, power-assist wheels with intelligent torque control for transport, a storage compartment, a removable innner liner, and a handle. The structure may comprise a portable container, such as an insulated cooler for storing cooled food and beverages for social and leisure activities.
Claims29
An insulated cooler, comprising:
- an outer liner including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;
- an inner liner within the outer housing, the inner liner including a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;
- an insulation space in between the outer liner and the inner liner;
- a main lid for closing the insulated cooler;
- a personal storage compartment within the main lid;
- a handle coupled to the rear panel of the outer liner;
- and
- a plurality of wheels coupled to the insulated cooler;
- a plurality of force-sensing sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed pressure;
- a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to:
- determine a signal value from the proportional signal;
- determine whether the signal value is above a threshold value;
- determine a polarity of the signal value;
- generate a control signal in proportion to the signal value if the signal value is above the threshold value;
- output the control signal to a motor controller for controlling at least one of the plurality of wheels;
- and
- wherein the plurality of force-sensing sensors include sensing resistors which include a contactable surface.
14 more elements
An insulated cooler, comprising:
- an outer liner including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;
- an inner liner within the outer housing, the inner liner including a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;
- an insulation space in between the outer liner and the inner liner;
- a main lid for closing the insulated container;
- a personal storage compartment between the main lid and a main cooler compartment of the insulated cooler;
- a top lid for closing the personal storage compartment;
- an inner platform above the main cooler compartment and below the personal storage compartment for separating the main cooler compartment from the main lid;
- a handle coupled to the rear panel of the outer liner;
- and
- a plurality of wheels coupled to the insulated cooler;
- a plurality of sensors sensing forces within the handle, the sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed forces;
- a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to:
- hold the handle in a neutral position by springs on sides of a center position;
- pull on the handle to shift the spring forces and move the handle from the center position and extending the handle;
- extend the handle to create a velocity command to a motor to increase speed;
- and
- push on the handle to compress the handle to create a command to decrease propulsion speed.
14 more elements
A system for providing power assistance to wheels, comprising:
- a plurality of wheels coupled to at least one motor;
- a plurality of force-sensing sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed pressure;
- a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to:
- determine a signal value from the proportional signal;
- determine whether the signal value is above a threshold value;
- determine a polarity of the signal value;
- generate a control signal in proportion to the signal value if the signal value is above the threshold value;
- and
- output the control signal to a motor controller for controlling at least one of the plurality of wheels;
- wherein the plurality of force-sensing sensors include sensing resistors which include a contactable surface.
7 more elements
A system for providing power assistance to wheels, comprising;
- a plurality of wheels coupled to a vehicle;
- a handle coupled to the vehicle;
- a plurality of sensors sensing forces within the handle, the sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed forces;
- a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to:
- determine a signal value from the proportional signal;
- hold the handle in a neutral position by springs on sides of a center position;
- pull on the handle to shift the spring forces and move the handle from the center position and extending the handle;
- extend the handle to create a velocity command to a motor to increase speed;
- and
- push on the handle to compress the handle to create a command to decrease propulsion speed;
- wherein the plurality of sensors include sensing resistors which include a contactable surface.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.