Traxxas Corporation

Altamotive, LLC

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Brent Whitfield Byers

Jon Kenneth Lampert

Timothy Eric Roberts

Seralaathan Hariharesan

Otto Karl Allmendinger

Clark David Anderson

Kent Poteet

Nicholas Conway

Adam Cole Ewing

Jonathan Scott Wood

Gary M DeWitt

Michael S Jenkins

Jason Paul Stubbs

A motor controller receives user input from a receiver and may change the operating mode of the motor controller according to the operating conditions of a model vehicle. In some embodiments, the user manually selects a mode of operation for the motor. In other embodiments, the operating conditions, for example the speed, power output, or other condition, may automatically trigger a transition between a first mode and a second mode of operation of the motor.

System for operating a motor vehicle

The present invention provides a model vehicle having a motor and electronic speed control for driving and braking driven wheels, combined with a separate braking system for non-driven wheels. A controller and a method of operation are provided.

Hybrid brake system for a model vehicle

An electrical control system for a rotatable wheel cover assembly is presented, the system including a controller assembly comprising processors for controlling the relative motion of a wheel cover rotatably mounted to a wheel frame of a vehicle. The controller assembly outputs a first signal to motor drivers, which are mounted within the vehicle separated from the wheel cover, the motor drivers passing a first drive frequency to motor leads for open loop control of the speed of the motors that drive the wheel cover. The electrical control system provides power from an inboard side of the wheel frame to an outboard side via a slip ring assembly having connector assemblies passing through the wheel frame for controlling motion of the wheel cover. The wheel cover is mounted to a shaft of the motor, wherein the motor is mounted coaxially with the wheel frame.

Electronic control system for a spinning wheel cover

A powered scale model vehicle having a transmission with a forward gear and a reverse gear. The transmission is shiftable between the forward gear and the reverse gear. The vehicle has a radio control receiver, a sensor and a microcontroller. The receiver is adapted to output a throttle signal and a shift signal to the microcontroller. The sensor is adapted to obtain a vehicle speed measurement. The microcontroller is electrically coupled to the receiver and the sensor. The microcontroller may be adapted to control a timing and execution of a forward/reverse shift on the transmission based on at least the vehicle speed measurement, the throttle signal, and the shift signal, for example.

Electronic shift lockout for scale model vehicle

In an embodiment, a holder mechanism is provided. The holder mechanism has an upper and a lower sliding plate, an upper and a lower lever guide arm, and an upper and a lower spring. The sliding plates have an adjustment lever plate rod slot and one or more fingers. The lever guide arms have a hinge end and a spring end and are hinged to their respective sliding plates at a hinge end. Each spring pulls the spring end of its respective lever guide arm and its respective sliding plate together. An adjustment lever between the sliding plates has an upper and a lower guide rod. Each guide rod is between the respective sliding plate and the respective lever guide arm. An adjustment lever plate rod passes through adjustment lever plate rod slots in the upper and lower sliding plates, and is connected to the adjustment lever.

Holder mechanism for a multi-function electronic device

A method of torque adjustment by removing and replacing a spur gear secured to a clutch driver plate in a slipper clutch for a model vehicle without changing the axial load applied by a spring to the clutch driver plate. The spring is configured to apply an axial load to at least a portion of the clutch driver plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft, the spring being adjustable to vary the axial load.

Method of adjusting a slipper clutch and spur gear assembly for a model vehicle

A model vehicle slipper clutch is provided, comprising a spur gear for receiving torque from an actuator, a clutch driver plate secured to the spur gear for receiving torque from the spur gear, a transmission input shaft for transmitting torque from the slipper clutch to a model vehicle transmission, a spring for applying a load to the driver plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft, a bearing positioned between the spring and driver plate for supporting the spur gear for rotation about the transmission input shaft and for applying a load from the spring to the drive plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft.

Slipper clutch for a model vehicle

A system and method are provided for low power electronic speed control for a model vehicle. A remote controlled model vehicle system may comprise a motor, a transmitter, a receiver, and an electronic speed control device. The electronic speed control device comprises a user interface and is at least configured to control a magnitude of average power applied to the motor in response to a user input. The electronic speed control device can operate under at least two profiles, wherein a desired profile is selected by the user. In one embodiment, under a first profile the electronic speed control device applies 100% magnitude of average power to the motor in response to maximum forward throttle, and under a second profile the electronic speed control device applies a percentage magnitude of average power lower than 100% and greater than 0% to the motor in response to maximum forward throttle.

Low power electronic speed control for a model vehicle

A locking differential assembly for use in a toy model vehicle. This is accomplished by mounting a locking clutch assembly on an output shaft of a differential gear carrier having an external face. The locking clutch assembly includes a slider member that may be configured to move along the output shaft to engage the external face to disable a differential action of the differential gear carrier.

Locking differential assembly for a model vehicle

A ball joint for a model vehicle suspension is provided, comprising a support member, at least a portion of the support member forming a spherically-shaped surface, a fastener for securing the support member to a suspension member, a housing containing at least a portion of the support member and having an opening for accessing at least a portion of the support member, a seal covering the housing opening, the seal having a self-healing port, the self-healing port of the seal having a first position allowing introduction of material through the seal and a second position substantially preventing the passage of debris into the housing, the seal being in the first position in response to a force applied normal to at least a portion of the surface of the self-healing port and the seal being in the second position in response to the substantial absence of a force applied normal to the surface of the self-healing port.

Ball joint for a model vehicle

A rocker arm for a model vehicle is provided, comprising a first portion and second portion each having an input and an output arm and each having an opening for receiving a pivot member about which the portions rotate. The first and second portions are secured for rotation together about a rotational axis through the respective openings and are spaced apart generally along the rotational axis. The rocker arm further comprises a suspension input coupling member that extends between the input arms of the first and second portions, where the input arms are spaced along the input coupling member, and a suspension output coupling member that extends between the outputs arms of the first and second portions, where the output arms are spaced along the output coupling member.

Rocker arm assembly for a model vehicle

A model vehicle suspension is provided, comprising a vehicle chassis, a spring for providing a supporting suspension force, one or more dampers for providing a damping suspension force, the dampers having an elongated shape, wherein the dampers are mounted on the chassis with a longitudinal axis substantially horizontal relative to the chassis and at least a first suspension member mounted to the chassis for supporting a vehicle wheel, the first suspension member being mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly at the location for supporting a vehicle wheel. A coupling mechanism for transmitting suspension forces from one or both of the spring and the one or more dampers to the first suspension member at the location for supporting a vehicle wheel is also provided, the coupling mechanism being configured to transmit suspension forces to the first suspension member, while allowing movement of the first suspension member at the point of supporting a wheel.

Vehicle suspension for a model vehicle

A mechanism for connecting a drive shaft to a stub axle of a vehicle is provided, comprising a drive shaft having a Cardan joint for driving a wheel, the Cardan joint having an inner and an outer yoke. The mechanism further comprises a wheel drive shaft for transmitting torque from the outer yoke to the wheel, wherein at least a portion of the wheel drive shaft engages at least a portion of the outer yoke, an opening formed though at least a portion of the wheel drive shaft and at least a portion of the outer yoke when a portion of the wheel drive shaft engages at least a portion of the outer yoke, a drive pin for insertion into the opening to secure the wheel drive shaft for rotation with the outer yoke, and a bearing surrounding at least a portion of the outer yoke and retaining the drive pin within the opening.

Stub axle apparatus for a model vehicle

A steering mechanism for a model vehicle is provided, having one or more steering actuators, a steering control arm pivotally mounted for rotation relative to a model vehicle chassis, the steering control arm being coupled directly to at least two tie rods, each tie rod controlling the steering of at least one wheel of a vehicle, and each of the one or more steering actuators coupled to the steering control arm to rotate the control arm relative to the vehicle chassis.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Brent Whitfield Byers