Inductive vehicle

Abstract

An inductively powered toy vehicle and an associated track with inductive charging segment. The vehicle may include a secondary coil, a drive motor, an electrical power storage device connected between said secondary coil and said drive motor, and a wireless communications unit. The charging segment may include a primary coil, a sense circuit operable to detect the presence of the vehicle based on a change in the detected impedance of the primary coil, and a power control unit operable to provide a time-varying current to the primary coil when the vehicle traverses the charging segment. The primary coil is positioned within the race track adjacent the track upper surface. The vehicle drive motor may be operable at first and second speed settings, and a remote control device can provide operating instructions to the vehicle wireless communications unit.

1 . A vehicle for traversing a charging circuitry having a primary coil configured to generate an inductive field, said vehicle comprising:
 a secondary coil; and   a load electrically connected to said secondary coil;   wherein said load receives electrical power from said secondary coil;   wherein said vehicle is configured to perform an automated vehicle control action for a pre-set period of time based on a signal associated with the charging circuitry when proximate the charging circuitry.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said load includes an energy storage device, the vehicle further including a charge condition indicator to provide an indication based on the available charge remaining in said energy storage device. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said load includes a drive motor and an electrical power storage device electrically connected to said drive motor. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 3  wherein said drive motor is operable at a plurality of speed settings based on the signal associated with said charging circuitry. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 4  wherein said vehicle includes a sensor to detect said signal associated with said charging circuitry, said sensor being one of an electromagnetic sensor, a mechanical sensor, and an optical sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 5  further including a microcontroller to regulate an operating parameter of said vehicle, said operating parameter including at least one of vehicle speed and vehicle steering. 
     
     
         7 . A vehicle capable of traveling proximate an inductive charging station, said vehicle comprising:
 a controller;   a secondary coil; and   an electrical power storage device electrically connected to said secondary coil;   wherein said controller is configured to initiate an automated vehicle control action based on a signal associated with the inductive power station, such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action when proximate said inductive power station and such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action for a pre-set period of time.   
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 7  including a display unit to provide an indication of a charge level remaining in said electrical energy storage device. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 7  including a drive motor electrically coupled to said electrical power storage device. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 9  wherein said vehicle is configured to deactivate said drive motor when said vehicle is proximate said inductive power station. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 7  wherein said automated vehicle control action includes changing the speed of said vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 7  including an RF circuit to receive the signal associated with said inductive power station, said RF circuit being separate from said secondary coil. 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle for traversing a charging circuitry having a primary coil configured to generate an inductive field, said vehicle comprising:
 a secondary coil;   a load electrically connected to said secondary coil;   a sensor configured to sense a signal associated with the charging circuitry;   a controller in electrical communication with said load, said controller configured to detect the charging circuitry based on the signal associated with the charging circuitry, and said controller configured to perform an automated vehicle control action for a pre-set period of time in response to said controller detecting the charging circuitry.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein said sensor includes said secondary coil. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein said sensor includes an RF circuit to receive the signal associated with said charging circuitry, said RF circuit being separate from said secondary coil. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein said sensor includes one of an electromagnetic sensor, a mechanical sensor, and an optical sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein said automated vehicle control action includes changing speed of said vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein said load includes a drive motor and an electrical power storage device electrically connected to said drive motor. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 18  wherein said drive motor is operable at a plurality of speed settings based on the signal associated with said charging circuitry. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein said controller is configured to regulate an operating parameter of said vehicle, said operating parameter including at least one of vehicle speed and vehicle steering.