Patent Publication Number: US-2020282296-A1

Title: Powered wheeled board

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/814,450, filed Mar. 6, 2019, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,195,259, 7,600,768, and 9,682,309 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. The embodiments of the powered personal mobility vehicle described herein can include any of the features described in the aforementioned patents, however such patents should not be used in construing terms related to the powered personal mobility vehicle described herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates to personal mobility vehicles, such as skateboards. In particular, the present disclosure relates to personal mobility vehicles with at least one powered wheel (e.g., a powered front wheel and/or a powered rear wheel) and/or other features. 
     Description of Certain Related Art 
     Many types of personal mobility vehicles exist, such as skateboards, scooters, bicycles, karts, etc. A user can ride such a vehicle to travel from place to place. 
     SUMMARY 
     A need exists for new and/or improved personal mobility vehicle designs, which may provide a new riding experience or unique functionality. The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, certain features of some embodiments will now be summarized. 
     Various powered personal mobility vehicles are described in this disclosure. According to some embodiments, the powered personal mobility vehicle can include a deck configured to support a user. The deck can have a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a neck portion spacing apart the forward portion and the rearward portion. The neck portion can be configured to enable the deck to twist about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The vehicle can include a first wheel assembly. The first wheel assembly can include a first swivel wheel connected to the forward portion of the deck. The vehicle can include a second wheel assembly. The second wheel assembly can include a second swivel wheel connected to the rearward portion of the deck. The first and second wheel assemblies can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and disposed entirely beneath the deck. The vehicle can include a battery. The battery can be connected to a bottom surface of the forward portion of the deck. A portion of the battery can be positioned directly above a portion of the first swivel wheel when the first and second swivel wheels are on a flat horizontal riding surface. The vehicle can include a motor operably coupled to the battery and configured to drive one of the first and second wheel assemblies. 
     In some embodiments, the motor can be configured to transfer rotational force to the first swivel wheel and can be disposed entirely within the first swivel wheel. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the first swivel wheel and the second swivel wheel can be configured to swivel 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the first wheel assembly can include a limiter configured to limit the degree to which the first swivel wheel can pivot. In some embodiments, the first swivel wheel and the second swivel wheel can be configured to swivel independently. 
     In some embodiments, the first swivel wheel can be powered and the second swivel wheel can be non-powered. The first and second swivel wheels can have similar diameters. 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle can include a panel covering a recess in the forward portion of the deck. The panel can be removable to provide access to an upper portion of the first wheel assembly that extends upward into the recess in the deck from beneath the deck. 
     In some embodiments, the rearward portion of the deck can include a handle. The handle can be an opening that extends through the deck and can be configured to receive a user&#39;s hand. 
     In some embodiments, the neck portion of the deck can include a rotational coupling connected at a first end to the forward portion of the deck and at a second end, opposite the first end, to the rearward portion of the deck. 
     In some embodiments, the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly can each be mounted to the deck at an inclined angle relative to horizontal. The inclined angle can be 40-45 degrees relative to horizontal. 
     According to some embodiments, the deck can have a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion spaced apart by a neck portion. The vehicle can include a front wheel assembly connected to the forward portion of the deck. The front wheel assembly can include a powered swivel wheel having a motor and a tire. The motor can be disposed entirely within the tire. The vehicle can include a rear wheel assembly connected to the rearward portion of the deck. The rear wheel assembly can include a non-powered swivel wheel. The front and rear wheel assemblies can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A diameter of the powered swivel wheel of the front wheel assembly can be approximately equal to a diameter of the non-powered swivel wheel of the rear wheel assembly. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the powered swivel wheel and the non-powered swivel wheel can be configured to swivel 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly can include a limiter configured to limit the degree to which the powered swivel wheel can pivot. In some embodiments, the powered swivel wheel and the non-powered swivel wheel can be configured to swivel independently. 
     In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly and the rear wheel assembly can each be mounted to the deck at an inclined angle relative to horizontal, the inclined angle being 40-45 degrees relative to horizontal. 
     According to some embodiments, the vehicle can include a first wheel assembly coupled to the deck. The first wheel assembly can include a powered swivel wheel and a first mounting assembly. A motor can be disposed within the powered swivel wheel. The vehicle can include a second wheel assembly coupled to the deck. The second wheel assembly can include a non-powered swivel wheel and a second mounting assembly. The first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. An upper surface of the deck can include a first recess and a second recess. Each of the first and second recesses can include an opening at its base. The first recess can be covered by a first removable panel. The second recess can be covered by a second removable panel. A portion of the first mounting assembly can extend upward from beneath the deck into the opening at the base of the first recess. A portion of the second mounting assembly can extend upward from beneath the deck into the opening at the base of the second recess. 
     In some embodiments, the first wheel assembly can include a limiter configured to limit the degree to which the powered swivel wheel can pivot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a powered personal mobility vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing an embodiment of a front access panel and an embodiment of a rear access panel separated from the deck of the vehicle. 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a forward portion of the deck of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with the front access panel removed. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view of a rearward portion of the deck of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with the rear access panel removed. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are bottom perspective views of the access panels of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are top perspective views of the wheel assemblies of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the wheel assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11A  is a top perspective view of the motor of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 11B  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a motor. 
         FIG. 11C  illustrates an embodiment of a motor and an embodiment of a tire configured to mate with said motor. 
         FIG. 11D  illustrates another embodiment of a motor and an embodiment of a tire configured to mate with said motor. 
         FIG. 11E  illustrates an embodiment of a motor housing and an embodiment of an anti-vibration element configured to mate with said motor housing. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a forward portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with a cover over the battery and controller removed. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the forward portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with the cover over the battery and controller removed. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the forward portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with the front wheel assembly and the cover over the battery and controller removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly and manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosed below, the inventions described herein extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described. 
     Various embodiments of a powered personal mobility vehicle are disclosed. As disclosed in more detail below, the vehicles can include one or more swivel (e.g., caster) wheels, such as a powered front swivel wheel and a non-powered rear swivel wheel. Conventionally, this combination was thought to render the vehicle front-heavy, unstable, difficult to ride, and/or hard to control. This combination was typically thought to be particularly problematic when used on vehicles (e.g., wheeled boards) configured to permit twisting or flexing of the deck. Nevertheless, certain embodiments described herein establish that a vehicle can successfully include a powered front swivel wheel and one or more additional swivel wheels. In spite of the aforementioned and other concerns, such a vehicle can be sufficiently controllable and stable to provide an enjoyable riding experience. 
     Overview 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a powered personal mobility vehicle  100  having a deck  102  configured to support a user, the deck  102  being connected with a first or front wheel assembly  104  and a second or rear wheel assembly  110 . In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly  104  can include a front wheel  106  and a mounting assembly  108  configured to mount the front wheel  106  to the deck  102 . In some embodiments, the rear wheel assembly  110  can include a rear wheel  112  and a mounting assembly  114  configured to mount the rear wheel  112  to the deck  102 . In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110  are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100 . In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110  are disposed entirely beneath the deck  102  when coupled to the deck  102 . In some embodiments, the mounting assemblies  108 ,  114  of the front and rear wheel assemblies  104 ,  110  are configured to move (e.g., pivot or rock) relative to the deck  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112  can be powered (i.e., driven by a motor). In some embodiments, the powered wheel (i.e., the driven wheel) can be used to steer the vehicle  100 . In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  has two caster (e.g., swivel) wheels. In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  has a front caster wheel and a rear caster wheel. For example, in some variants, the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112  is a swivel (e.g., caster) wheel. In some embodiments, the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112  can be a powered swivel wheel. The rear wheel assembly  110  can be configured to rotate 360 degrees. The front wheel assembly  104  can be configured to rotate 360 degrees or can be limited in rotation, such as to rotating less than or equal to about 120 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, one of the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  is powered and the other of the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  is non-powered. For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the front wheel  106  is a powered swivel wheel and the rear wheel  112  is a non-powered swivel wheel. The powered front wheel  106  can be used to steer the vehicle  100 . This arrangement can provide for the desired riding experience and feel, such as to enable drifting of the vehicle  100 . The front wheel  106  being a powered wheel can allow the vehicle  100  to be pulled in the direction of travel as opposed to being pushed in the direction of travel by a powered rear wheel. This can improve the user&#39;s riding experience and increase the efficiency of the drive arrangement. For example, compared to a powered rear wheel, having a powered front wheel can permit the vehicle  100  to turn tighter corners, facilitate drifting of the rear of the vehicle  100  compared to the front of the vehicle  100  during turns, enable the rear wheel  112  to traverse a turn with a substantially larger radius of curvature compared to the radius of curvature traversed by the front wheel  106 , permit the vehicle  100  to follow a path around a turn in which a longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100  substantially departs from parallel to the arc traversed by the front wheel  106 , etc. 
     In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110  can be mounted at an incline relative to the deck  102 . In some variants, the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110  are mounted at a similar or the same inclined angle (e.g., 20-50 degrees relative to horizontal, 30-55 degrees relative to horizontal, 40-45 degrees relative to horizontal, etc.). Inclined wheel assemblies  104 ,  110  can enable the deck  102  to be positioned closer to the riding surface, which can lower the center of gravity of the vehicle  100 , increase the user&#39;s control over the vehicle  100 , and/or facilitate turning of the wheel assemblies  104 ,  110 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  can have similar diameters or the same diameters. The wheels  106 ,  112  can have similar diameters or the same diameters even when one of the wheels  106 ,  112  is powered (e.g., houses a motor) and the other of the wheels  106 ,  112  is non-powered (e.g., does not house a motor). In some embodiments, one of the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  can have a diameter that is larger than the other of the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  can have similar thicknesses. The thickness can be measured in an axial direction. In some embodiments, one of the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  can be thicker than the other of the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  (e.g., to provide space for a motor). For example, in some variants, the powered or driven wheel can be thicker than the non-powered wheel. In some embodiments, the powered or driven wheel is at least about 1.25-3.50 times thicker than the non-powered wheel (e.g., about 1.3 times thicker, about 2.0 times thicker, about 2.25 times thicker, etc.). As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the front wheel  106  is thicker than the rear wheel  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  includes more than two wheels (such as three wheels, four wheels, etc.). The wheels can include caster wheels and/or fixed wheels. In some embodiments, some of the wheels can be auxiliary wheels that are offset from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  can include a motor  136  configured to transfer rotational force to the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112 . In some embodiments, the motor  136  can include a housing enclosing a motor and a transmission assembly. In some embodiments, the motor  136  can be disposed at least partially within the front wheel  106  or the rear wheel  112  (i.e., the driven wheel). In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  can include a motor  136  disposed entirely within the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112 . In some embodiments, the motor  136  and one of the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  (i.e., the driven wheel) can be coupled to a drive arrangement, such as a chain drive, belt drive, or gear drive. 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  can comprise a power source, such as a battery  150 . In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  can comprise a power switch  156  and a charging port  158 . The power switch  156  can be configured to be actuated by the user to turn the vehicle  100  on and off. The charging port  158  can be configured to be connected to an external power source to recharge the battery  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle  100  can be operated using a remote control  160 . In some embodiments, the remote control  160  is configured to be stored on the vehicle  100  when not in use. For example, the remote control  160  can be removably secured to a portion of the deck  102  along a perimeter of the deck  102  (e.g., along the perimeter of the deck  102  towards the middle of the vehicle  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the remote control  160  is a device configured to wirelessly communicate with a controller  152  on the vehicle  100 , using radio frequency (RF) transmission, in order to operate the vehicle  100 . For example, in some variants, a user can use the remote control  160  to cause the speed of the motor to change (e.g., increase and decrease), cause the vehicle  100  to brake, and/or cause the vehicle  100  to change its direction of motion (e.g., reverse). 
     Deck 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the deck  102  comprises a first portion or forward portion  120  and a second portion or rearward portion  122 . In some variants, the deck  102  includes a neck portion  124  disposed between the forward portion  120  and the rearward portion  122 . In some embodiments, the forward portion  120  and the rearward portion  122  of the deck  102  are wider than the neck portion  124 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the width of the deck  102  can taper along the neck portion  124 . 
     In some embodiments, the neck portion  124  can be configured to allow the deck  102  to twist or flex about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100 . For example, in some embodiments, the neck portion  124  can include a rotational coupling  126  connected at a first end to the forward portion  120  and at a second end, opposite the first end, to the rearward portion  122 . In some variants, the rotational coupling  126  is a cylindrical member. The rotational coupling  126  can permit rotational movement of the forward portion  120  and the rearward portion  122  relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100  (e.g., when the user shifts his or her weight on the deck  102 ). In some embodiments, the rotational coupling  126  can include one or more pivot assemblies. In some embodiments, the rotational coupling  126  can include a biasing element configured to bias the forward portion  120  and the rearward portion  122  into a neutral or aligned relative position. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the deck  102  can include a handle  130 . In some embodiments, the handle  130  comprises an opening that extends through the deck  102  that is configured to receive a user&#39;s hand, enabling the user to conveniently carry the vehicle  100 . The handle  130  can be disposed towards an end of the deck  102 . In some variants, the handle  130  is disposed on the end of the deck  102  opposite the driven wheel. In some variants, the handle  130  is disposed on the end of the deck  102  closest to the driven wheel. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper surface of the deck  102  includes anti-slip regions  162 . The anti-slip regions  162  can act as a grip for the user&#39;s feet, making the portions of the deck  102  that the user places his or her feet on when riding the vehicle  100  less slippery, thereby reducing the risk of injury and improving the riding experience. 
     In some embodiments, an upper surface of the forward portion  120  and/or an upper surface of the rearward portion  122  can include a removable panel covering a recess in the deck  102 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the deck  102  includes an access panel  166 A for covering a recess  128 A in the forward portion  120  of the deck  102  and an access panel  166 B for covering a recess  128 B in the rearward portion  122  of the deck  102 . The access panels  166 A,  166 B can be removable such that the manufacturer or the user can access portions of the mounting assemblies  108 ,  114  of the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110 , respectively. 
     In some embodiments, the deck  102  comprises mounts  132  configured to receive portions of the mounting assemblies  108 ,  114  of the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the deck  102  includes a first mount  132  on the forward portion  120  and a second mount  132  on the rearward portion  122 . In some embodiments, the mount  132  on the forward portion  120  of the deck  102  can include an opening configured to receive a portion of the front wheel assembly  104  and the mount  132  on the rearward portion  122  of the deck  102  can include an opening configured to receive a portion of the rear wheel assembly  110 . For example, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the mounting assemblies  108 ,  114  can extend upward from beneath the deck  102 , into openings in the mounts  132 , and into the recesses  128 A,  128 B in the deck  102 . 
     In some variants, removal of the access panels  166 A,  166 B provides access to the portions of the mounting assemblies  108 ,  114  of the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110  that extend upward from beneath the deck  102  into the recesses  128 A,  128 B in the deck  102 , such as portions of the mounting shafts  118  of the mounting assemblies  108 ,  114 . Being able to access the tops of the mounting shafts  118  of the mounting assemblies  108 ,  114  can permit fasteners  134  (e.g., nuts) to be connected to the tops of the mounting shafts  118  (e.g., the tops of threaded bolts) as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . Securing the wheel assemblies  104 ,  110  to the deck  102  using fasteners  134  protected within the recesses  128 A,  128 B by the access panels  166 A,  166 B can make the connection between the wheel assemblies  104 ,  110  and the deck  102  more secure and/or reduce the number of components positioned beneath the deck  102 . In some embodiments, the access panels  166 A,  166 B can facilitate assembly of the vehicle  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the access panels  166 A,  166 B and the recesses  128 A,  128 B in the deck  102  have corresponding features or mating features. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7B , the access panel  166 A,  166 B can a have a body  164  and a plurality of arms  170  and supports  172  extending from the body  164  (e.g., 2-4 arms  170 , 2-4 supports  172 , etc.). In some variants, the body  164  of the access panel  166 A,  166 B can be an elongate plate. In some embodiments, the arms  170  and supports  172  can extend downward from a lower surface or a side surface of the body  164  in a direction perpendicular to the body  164 . The arms  170  and supports  172  can be configured to extend downward into the recess  128 A,  128 B in the deck  102  when the access panel  166 A,  166 B is coupled to the deck  102 . The arms  170  can secure and/or limit lateral movement of the access panel  166 A,  166 B relative to the deck  102  when disposed over the recess  128 A,  128 B. The supports  172  can align with corresponding supports  174  in the recess  128 A,  128 B of the deck  102 . In various embodiments, when the access panels  166 A,  166 B are installed in the deck  102 , upper surfaces of the access panels  166 A,  166 B are generally flush with the adjacent portions of the deck  102 . See  FIG. 1 . This can hide the access panels  166 A,  166 B and/or can increase rider comfort (e.g., compared to having upper surfaces that protrude from the deck  102 ). 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the recess  128 A,  128 B includes a plurality of supports  174  (e.g., 2-4 supports  174 ). The supports  174  can extend upward, in a direction away from the deck  102 . In some embodiments, the supports  172  on the access panel  166 A,  166 B can rest on, or connect with, the supports  174  in the recess  128 A,  128 B of the deck  102  when the access panel  166 A,  166 B is attached to the deck  102 . 
     In some variants, the access panel  166 A,  166 B can include a first mating feature (e.g., a tab  168 ) configured to mate with a corresponding second mating feature (e.g., a recess in the deck  102 ). The tab  168  can extend along a longitudinal axis of the access panel  166 A,  166 B. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the tab  168  can extend further than the rest of the body  164 . In some embodiments, the user or manufacturer can lift the tab  168  from the recess  176  on the deck  102  to facilitate separating the access panel  166 A,  166 B from the deck  102 . 
     Wheels 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate example embodiments of swivel wheel assemblies. While the illustrated embodiment of the vehicle  100  comprises a powered swivel wheel towards the front of the vehicle  100  and a non-powered swivel wheel towards the rear of the vehicle  100 , the features described in relation to the front wheel assembly  104  are not limited to a wheel assembly mounted to the forward portion  120  of the vehicle  100  and the features described in relation to the rear wheel assembly  110  are not limited to a wheel assembly mounted to the rearward portion  122  of the vehicle  100 . Any of the features described above in relation to the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110 , and any of the features described below in relation to the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110 , can be included in any wheel that is mounted to the vehicle  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the front wheel assembly  104  and the rear wheel assembly  110  can each include a mounting assembly  108 ,  114  comprising a mounting plate  116  and a mounting shaft  118  (e.g., a threaded bolt). In some embodiments, the front wheel  106  is supported by the mounting assembly  108  and the rear wheel  112  is supported by the mounting assembly  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly  104  and/or the rear wheel assembly  110  can include a cover  148 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a portion of the cover  148  can extend along a portion of the mounting plate  116 , over a portion of the wheel  106 , and/or over a portion of the motor  136 . As discussed in more detail below, in certain embodiments, the cover  148  can protect an electrical connection (e.g., a wire) that extends between the motor  136  and a battery and/or controller. 
     In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly  104  and/or the rear wheel assembly  110  can be configured to swivel 360 degrees about a swivel axis. In some embodiments, rotation of the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112  can be limited. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , in some variants, the front wheel assembly  104  can include a limiter  142  configured to limit the degree to which the front wheel  104  can pivot (i.e., swivel). In some embodiments, the front wheel  106  and the rear wheel  112  can be configured to swivel independently. In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly  104  and/or the rear wheel assembly  110  can include a biasing element configured to bias the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112  towards a neutral resting position in which the front wheel  106  and/or the rear wheel  112  extends along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, the motor  136  can be integrated in the front wheel assembly  104  with the motor  136  disposed entirely within the front wheel  106 . In some embodiments, the motor  136  surrounds the axis of rotation of the front wheel  106 . For example, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B , the central portion of the motor  136  is hollow and configured to receive the axle  144  of the front wheel  106 . In some embodiments, the axle  144  passes through the entire width of the motor  136 , extending from a first side of the motor  136  to a second side of the motor  136  opposite the first side. 
     In some variants, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11A , the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  can have protrusions  140 , such as circumferentially spaced apart ridges. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 11B , a continuous portion of the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  can be smooth (i.e., not include protrusions along the central portion of the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 ). 
     The front wheel assembly  104  can include a traction element  146 , such as a tire, configured to couple to the motor  136 . In some embodiments, the traction element  146  is coupled to the motor  136  such that at least a portion of an inner surface of the traction element  146  contacts, and is flush with, at least a portion of the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 . In some embodiments, the traction element  146  is coupled to a motor  136  having an outer surface  138  with protrusions  140 . The traction element  146  can be configured to be thick enough (e.g., in the radial direction) to reduce vibrations or bumpiness during riding that might otherwise be caused by the protrusions  140  on the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 . For example, in some embodiments, the traction element  146  can have a thickness of at least about: 5 mm, 7 mm, 10 mm, or 12 mm. In some embodiments, the traction element  146  can have a diameter of at least about: 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, or 80 mm. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the traction element  146  can have a curved profile, such as a crown. For example, in some variants, the central portion of the traction element  146  is thicker, or extends further radially outward, than the lateral edges of the traction element  146 . Such a traction element  146  profile can reduce the amount of drag caused by the front wheel assembly  104  during riding and/or prevent or reduce the traction element  146  from interfering with desirable swivel wheel riding characteristics. In some variants, the traction element  146  with the crown automatically increases the amount of contact between the traction element  146  and the riding surface (e.g., the ground) during turns and automatically increases the amount of contact between the traction element  146  and the riding surface during straight riding. This can allow for tighter turns and/or greater straight-line speed. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 11C , the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  can include protrusions  140  positioned towards the lateral edges of the outer surface  138 . The protrusions  140  disposed along a first lateral edge of the outer surface  138  can mirror (e.g., be symmetrical to) the protrusions  140  disposed along a second lateral edge of the outer surface  138  opposite the first lateral edge. The central region of the outer surface  138  (i.e., between the protrusions  140  on the first and second lateral edges) can have a width of at least about: 10 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, or 25 mm. The central region can be smooth (e.g., without protrusions). The traction element  146  can be configured to conform to the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 . For example, the traction element  146  can include a mating feature  145  configured to mate with a portion of the motor  136 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11C , the mating feature  145  of the traction element  146  can be a thickened region of the traction element  146 . In some variants, a central region of the traction element  146  can protrude such that the central region of the traction element  146  is configured to contact the central region of the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 . When the traction element  146  is coupled to the motor  136 , the protrusions  140  on the lateral edges of the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  can abut the central region of the traction element  146  and help secure the traction element  146  in position relative to the motor  136 . 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 11D , the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  can include a plurality of recesses  141 . In some embodiments, the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  includes a first recess  141 A extending along the width of the outer surface  138  and a second recess  141 B extending circumferentially around the periphery of the outer surface  138 . In some embodiments, the first recess  141 A is transverse to the second recess  141 B. In some variants, the first recess  141 A can have a height of at least about: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, or 4 mm. In some variants, the second recess  141 B can have a width of at least about: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, or 4 mm. In some embodiments, the first recess  141 A is configured to limit horizontal movement of the traction element  146  relative to the motor  136  when the traction element  146  is coupled to the motor  136 . In some embodiments, the second recess  141 B is configured to limit vertical movement of the traction element  146  relative to the motor  136  when the traction element  146  is coupled to the motor  136 . 
     In some embodiments, the outer surface  138  includes a plurality of spaced apart recesses  141 A extending along the width of the outer surface  138  and/or a plurality of spaced apart recesses  141 B extending circumferentially around the periphery of the outer surface  138 . The recesses  141 A can be circumferentially spaced apart by at least about: 5 mm, 15 mm, 30 mm, or 45 mm. The recesses  141 B can be laterally spaced apart by at least about: 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm. As shown in  FIG. 11D , in some embodiments, the mating feature  145  of the traction element  146  includes a plurality of protrusions corresponding to, and configured to mate with, the plurality of recesses  141 A and/or the plurality of recesses  141 B of the outer surface  138 . 
     In certain embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 11E , an anti-vibration element  147 , such as a nylon ring, can be coupled to the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  to reduce vibrations or bumpiness during riding that might otherwise be caused by protrusions  140  on the outer surface  138  and/or other features of the outer surface  138 . In some embodiments, the anti-vibration element  147  can be coupled to a central portion of the outer surface  138  of the motor  136  and be positioned between the motor  136  and the traction element  146 . In some embodiments, the width of the motor  136  is larger than the width of the anti-vibration element  147 . In some embodiments, the anti-vibration element  147  extends across about one-half, one-third, one-forth, one-fifth, or one-sixth of the width of the motor  136 . In some embodiments, the width of the anti-vibration element  147  is at least about: 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, or 12 mm. 
     In some embodiments, an inner surface of the anti-vibration element  147  includes a plurality of indentations  149  spaced apart along the inner circumference of the anti-vibration element  147 . The indentations  149  can be configured to receive the protrusions  140  on the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 . When the anti-vibration element  147  is coupled to the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 , the anti-vibration element  147  can provide a relatively smooth, continuous surface that the traction element  146  can be disposed on top of. This arrangement can improve the riding experience by reducing vibrations during riding that might otherwise be associated with the protrusions  140  on the outer surface  138  of the motor  136 . 
     In certain embodiments, the vehicle  100  is configured to enable powered and non-powered riding. This can allow a user to choose the method of locomotion, extend riding range, provide use of the vehicle when the battery is depleted, etc. Some conventional powered boards were only configured for powered riding because, for example, they included large motors that applied a substantial amount of resistance to rotation of the motorized wheel when the motor was not driving the wheel, which could inhibit rolling of the wheel and hinder non-powered riding of the vehicle. In certain embodiments of the vehicle  100 , the motor  136  applies less resistance, or substantially no resistance, to rotation of the motorized wheel (e.g., the front wheel  106 ), even when the motor  136  is not driving the motorized wheel. This can facilitate non-powered riding of the vehicle, such as by the user pushing-off the ground or alternately twisting the front and rear portions of the deck about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to provide locomotive force. As mentioned above, in some embodiments the motor  136  is housed within the front wheel  106  (e.g., the motor  136  is positioned entirely within the inside radius of the traction element  146 ). Such a small motor can aid in providing less or substantially no resistance to rotation of the wheel  106 , even when the motor  136  is not driving the wheel  106 . Further, such a configuration can protect and/or obscure the motor  136 . 
     Power and Control 
     The vehicle  100  can include a controller  152 , which can include a processor and a memory. The controller  152  can be operably connected to a battery  150  and the motor  136 . For example, an electrical connection, such as wires, can connect the controller  152 , motor  136 , and battery  150  to enable controlled supply of electrical power from the battery  150  to the motor  136 . The wires can extend along a side of the wheel assembly  104  and pass into an axle  144  of the wheel  106  to connect to the motor  136 . As mentioned above, the cover  148  can obscure and/or protect the wires. The wires can have sufficient slack or otherwise be configured to enable rotation of the wheel assembly  104 . In some variants, the electrical connection comprises mating traces or other electrical contacts in the mount  132  and wheel mounting assembly  108 , which can remove the need for external wires. The controller  152  can include a receiver and/or transceiver that can wirelessly communicate with the remote control  160 . 
     In some embodiments, the battery  150  and/or controller  152  are disposed beneath the deck  102 . In some variants, the battery  150  and the controller  152  can be disposed in the same housing  154  ( FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, the battery  150  and the controller  152  can be positioned on the same side of the deck  102  (e.g., the battery  150  and the controller  152  can be connected to the forward portion  120  or the rearward portion  122  of the deck  102 ). For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , the battery  150  and the controller  152  are connected to the bottom or underside of the forward portion  120  of the deck  102  (i.e., facing the riding surface when the vehicle  100  is in use). In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the battery  150  and/or the controller  152  can be attached to the deck  102  at a location disposed between a mount  132  on the deck  102  and the neck portion  124  of the deck  102  along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100 . 
     In some embodiments, a portion of the battery  150  and/or a portion of the controller  152  can extend above a portion of the rear wheel  112 . In some embodiments, a portion of the battery  150  and/or a portion of the controller  152  can extend above a portion of the front wheel  106 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, at least half of the width of the battery  150  can extend above at least half of the length of the front wheel  106  along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle  100 . In some embodiments, 50-100% of the width of the battery  150  can extend above 50-100% of the length of the front wheel  106  or the rear wheel  112  along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (e.g., 50% of the width of the battery  150  can extend above 70% of the length of the wheel, 60% of the width of the battery  150  can extend above 50% of the length of the wheel, 70% of the width of the battery  150  can extend above 60% of the length of the wheel, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, such as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 12-14 , the front wheel  106  of the vehicle  100  is a powered swivel wheel, with the motor  136  disposed entirely within the front wheel  106 , and a portion of the battery  150  extends above a portion of the front wheel  106 . In this configuration, the powered swivel wheel assembly  104  (including the motor  136 ), the battery  150 , and the controller  152  are connected to the forward portion  120  of the deck  102  and disposed beneath the deck  102 . Positioning the battery  150  close to the powered swivel wheel assembly  104  advantageously makes it possible to avoid running wiring through the middle of the vehicle  100  (e.g., through the neck portion  124  of the deck  102 ), which can reduce the likelihood of issues caused by wiring being pulled on during the twisting or flexing of the forward portion  120  relative to the rearward portion  122  along the neck portion  124 . 
     Certain Terminology 
     Certain terminology may be used in the description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “above” and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” and “side” describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Throughout the description herein, like numbers refer to like components. 
     Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “about” or “approximately” means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but should also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as “about 1 to about 3,” “about 2 to about 4” and “about 3 to about 5,” “1 to 3,” “2 to 4,” “3 to 5,” etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. 
     A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Various illustrative embodiments and examples of powered personal mobility vehicles have been disclosed. Many variations and modifications may be made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn to scale, but such scale should not be interpreted to be limiting. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Also, any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps. 
     In summary, various illustrative embodiments and examples of powered personal mobility vehicles have been disclosed. Although the powered personal mobility vehicles have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments and examples, this disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or other uses of the embodiments, as well as to certain modifications and equivalents thereof. This disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow as well as their full scope of equivalents.