Monowheel: what it is, how it works and how to learn to ride it - Setafi

Understanding how to control a unicycle is quite simple. To do this, you need to stand on it and lean forward a little - then the engine will start moving. If you take the starting position, the mechanism will stop. To turn, you need to lean slightly to the right and left, respectively. How the model is arranged, how to ride correctly, and what characteristics to look for when choosing, is described in detail in the presented article.

The principle of operation of the unicycle

First of all, you need to understand what a unicycle is. The device is a single wheel (unicycle) in a durable plastic case. It is equipped with 2 steps on which the user gets up and controls.

The mechanism has a motor that is controlled by the action of magnets that create electromagnetic fields. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery, which is charged from the mains. To control the position in space, the device is equipped with gyroscopes.

We can say that a unicycle is a compact mechanism that responds to the position of the body, its inclination and thus moves along the road. The gyroscope installed here, according to the principle of operation, resembles a children's spinning top or spinning top. Here's how a unicycle works:

1. Built-in sensors determine the position of the mechanism.
2. They send a signal to the board.
3. She, in turn, controls the battery and gives a command to direct the current from the battery model.
4. This creates an electromagnetic field that acts on the magnets.
5. Every magnet has a north and south pole. If they interact with the same poles, repulsion occurs, and if they interact with different poles, attraction occurs. In the first case, the engine speeds up, in the second it slows down.
6. We can say about the unicycle that it is a device that works due to a combination of electromagnets. The user (rider) stands on the footboard, tilts the body a little, the gyroscope reads this signal, and the wheel accelerates.
7. As soon as the rider brings the body position to its original (vertical) position, the mechanism, on the contrary, slows down until full braking. This allows you to make the characteristics of the unicycle.

Pros cons and unicycles

We can say about the unicycle that it is a unicycle that serves as a means of individual mobility (similar to scooters or skateboards). It does not work from muscular strength, like, for example, a bicycle, but from a mechanism that is powered by electrical energy. On such a device, they usually move while walking on good roads, for example, in parks. It is not considered as a vehicle.

If you study not a unicycle with your own hands, but industrial models, there are several advantages:

• minimal dimensions, compactness - the device practically does not take up space, it can be stored even in a small room;
• transportability - light weight and dimensions allow you to take the model with you, transport it by car, taxi and public transport;
• it is easy to learn how to ride a unicycle and store it;
• some models have a large diameter, which increases the permeability.

But there are also disadvantages:

• the battery does not always last for a long time - in the event of a discharge, the wheel will stop completely, that is, it cannot be idling;
• learning to ride is more difficult than, for example, on a scooter, but still, the first skills can be obtained in just 1-2 hours.

Specifications

Before you understand how to ride a unicycle, the photo of which is presented in the article, it is recommended to study the technical specifications. Specific parameters depend on a particular model, but there are general indicators:

1. Speed ​​- can be developed up to 30 km / h, subject to 100% battery charge. If the battery is only half charged, the speed drops to 20-25 km/h. But you can perform tricks on a unicycle with such a charge. If the level is below 30%, the top speed will be 15-18 km/h.
2. Battery capacity is an extremely important characteristic, on which both the duration of the walk and the speed depend. It is better to choose lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries with a rating of 700 Wh or more.
3. Diameter - optimally at least 12 inches (range from 14 to 18). If the wheel is small, it will be uncomfortable to ride on it, it will be squat and jump strongly even on small bumps.
4. The weight directly depends on the size of the wheels and the capacity of the battery. But in any case, it does not exceed 15 kg, with rare exceptions (for example, a double unicycle can weigh even 20-24 kg).
5. Power - the more it is, the higher the speed and the faster the acceleration. For most models, the rated power is estimated at 500-600 watts, and the maximum is 1000-1200 watts. If we consider the most powerful types, they will cost much more, and the characteristic can be up to 2000 and even 2500 watts.
6. The power reserve allows you to estimate the duration of the walk. The indicator depends not only on the capacity of the battery, but also on the weight of the rider. Even the most inexpensive models provide an average margin of 15-30 km. Powerful mechanisms allow you to drive up to 100-150, and sometimes up to 200 km.

How to learn to ride

It is easy enough to understand what a unicycle is from a photo. However, the question arises of how to manage it, since it is not a scooter, much less a bicycle. The main difficulty is associated with the presence of only one wheel. In this case, it is necessary to maintain good balance, as well as practice and understand how the tilt of the body affects the start of movement, its termination, acceleration and deceleration.

Controlling the mechanism is intuitive. The general instructions are:

1. Turn on the power.
2. Lower the footrests, put the wheel on a flat area - it does not have to be perfectly level.
3. Stand with one foot and make a trial movement forward (half a step) and back.
4. Stand on both footboards and gently start moving, slightly tilting the body forward.
5. To accelerate, lean a little more, feel how the device reacts to a change in body position.
6. Make turns by leaning to the left or right, respectively.
7. Take the initial position of the body for deceleration and (if necessary) subsequent braking.

If this method of control seems inconvenient, you can use a unicycle with a seat and steering wheel, as in the photo.

But unlike classic models, this design is more bulky and more expensive. Thus, for walks, it is easiest to use a conventional unicycle with a sufficiently capacious battery for a large power reserve.