U.S. patent application number 13/625666 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for electric bicycle.
This patent application is currently assigned to FARADAY BICYCLES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is FARADAY BICYCLES, INC.. Invention is credited to Kyle J. DOERKSEN, Nathaniel David GINZTON, Adam REINECK, Adam Patrick VOLLMER.
Application Number | 20130075175 13/625666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50342532 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130075175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VOLLMER; Adam Patrick ; et
al. |
March 28, 2013 |
ELECTRIC BICYCLE
Abstract
An electric bicycle and electric bicycle frame including
batteries stored in a pair of substantially parallel top tubes. In
some cases, the top tubes extend rearward of the bicycle seat tube,
and an electronics housing may be disposed between the rearward
extending top tube portions.
Inventors: |
VOLLMER; Adam Patrick; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; DOERKSEN; Kyle J.; (Mountain View,
CA) ; REINECK; Adam; (San Francisco, CA) ;
GINZTON; Nathaniel David; (Boise, ID) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FARADAY BICYCLES, INC.; |
Palo Alto |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FARADAY BICYCLES, INC.
Palo Alto
CA
|
Family ID: |
50342532 |
Appl. No.: |
13/625666 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61538118 |
Sep 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/206.2 ;
180/206.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K 3/02 20130101; Y10T
29/49117 20150115; Y10T 29/49817 20150115; B62M 6/40 20130101; B62K
19/34 20130101; B62K 3/04 20130101; B62J 11/13 20200201; B62K 19/30
20130101; B62J 7/06 20130101; B62M 6/90 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/206.2 ;
180/206.1 |
International
Class: |
B62M 6/40 20100101
B62M006/40; B62K 3/02 20060101 B62K003/02; B62M 6/45 20100101
B62M006/45 |
Claims
1-2. (canceled)
3. An electric bicycle, comprising: a frame, including: a head
tube; an upper top tube extending generally rearward from an upper
portion of the head tube and containing a first battery; a lower
top tube extending generally rearward from a portion of the frame
beneath the upper portion of the head tube, oriented substantially
parallel to the first top tube and containing a second battery; a
down tube extending generally downward and rearward from the lower
portion of the head tube; a seat tube that intersects the upper top
tube, the lower top tube and the down tube; a fork extending
generally downward from the lower portion of the head tube and
providing a pair of front wheel dropouts; a pair of seat stays
extending generally downward and rearward from an upper portion of
the seat tube; and a pair of chain stays extending generally
rearward from a lower portion of the seat tube to form a pair of
rear wheel dropouts in conjunction with the seat stays; a front
wheel; a rear wheel; and an electronics housing disposed between
the upper top tube and the lower top tube and rearward of the seat
tube; wherein the batteries are configured to provide locomotive
power to the electric bicycle; and wherein each top tube extends
rearward beyond its intersection with the seat tube.
4. The electric bicycle of claim 3, further comprising a controller
configured to provide locomotive power from the batteries to the
bicycle according to a control algorithm.
5. The electric bicycle of claim 4, wherein the controller is
configured to provide locomotive power from the batteries to the
bicycle through an electrical connection disposed entirely within
the frame.
6-7. (canceled)
8. An electric bicycle, comprising: a down tube; a seat tube
intersecting a lower portion of the down tube at a bottom bracket
region; a pair of chain stays each extending backward from the
bottom bracket region to a rear wheel dropout; a pair of seat stays
each extending generally upward and forward from a corresponding
one of the rear wheel dropouts to intersect the seat tube; a head
tube having a lower portion that intersects an upper portion of the
down tube and which is configured to receive a bicycle fork steerer
tube, and an upper portion which is configured to receive a bicycle
handlebar stem; a first top tube extending between either the lower
portion of the head tube or an upper portion of the down tube and
the seat tube; a second top tube extending between the upper
portion of the head tube and the seat tube; and an electronics
housing disposed between the first and second top tubes and
configured to be electrically connected to batteries stored within
the top tubes; wherein the first and second top tubes are each
configured to hold a battery for powering an electric motor of the
bicycle.
9. The electric bicycle of claim 8, wherein the electronics housing
is disposed rearward of the seat tube, and further comprising at
least one battery end cap configured to fit around the seat tube
and to provide an electrical conduit between one of the batteries
and the electronics housing.
10. The electric bicycle of claim 9, wherein the at least one
battery end cap includes a pair of battery end caps each configured
to provide an electrical conduit between a respective one of the
batteries and the electronics housing
11. The electric bicycle of claim 9, wherein the electrical conduit
includes a pair of detents formed in opposing lateral sides of the
battery end cap and configured to allow passage of wires from the
battery to the electronics housing.
12. The electric bicycle of claim 11, wherein the wires are
substantially flat.
13. The electric bicycle of claim 9, wherein a rearward portion of
the electronics housing includes at least one integrated safety
light configured to receive power from the batteries.
14-15. (canceled)
16. A bicycle frame for an electric bicycle, comprising: a head
tube; an upper top tube extending generally rearward from an upper
portion of the head tube; a lower top tube extending generally
rearward from a portion of the frame below the upper top tube and
oriented substantially parallel to the upper top tube; a down tube
extending generally downward and rearward from the lower portion of
the head tube; a seat tube that intersects the upper top tube, the
lower top tube and the down tube; and an electronics housing
disposed between the upper top tube and the lower top tube and
rearward of the seat tube; wherein each top tube is configured to
contain a battery for powering the bicycle; and wherein each top
tube extends rearward beyond its intersection with the seat
tube.
17. The bicycle frame of claim 16, further comprising upper and
lower battery end caps each configured to fit around the seat tube
and to provide an electrical conduit between a respective one of
the batteries and the electronics housing.
18. The bicycle frame of claim 17, wherein the electronics housing
includes upper and lower electrical plugs configured to form an
electrical connection with a respective one of the battery end
caps.
19. The bicycle frame of claim 17, wherein the battery end caps
each include a pair of detents disposed on opposite sides of the
seat tube and forming the electrical conduit.
20. The bicycle frame of claim 19, wherein the detents are
configured to provide a passage for a pair of substantially flat
wires connecting the respective one of the batteries to the
electronics housing.
21. The bicycle of claim 3, wherein the upper top tube and the
lower top tube are each substantially horizontal.
22. The bicycle of claim 3, wherein the upper top tube and the
lower top tube are each oriented at a non-horizontal angle to
facilitate mounting and dismounting the bicycle.
23. The bicycle of claim 8, wherein the first top tube and the
second top tube are each substantially horizontal.
24. The bicycle of claim 8, wherein the first top tube and the
second top tube are each oriented at a non-horizontal angle to
facilitate mounting and dismounting the bicycle.
25. The bicycle frame of claim 16, wherein the upper top tube and
the lower top tube are each substantially horizontal.
26. The bicycle frame of claim 16, wherein the upper top tube and
the lower top tube are each oriented at a non-horizontal angle to
facilitate mounting and dismounting the bicycle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/538,118, filed Sep. 22, 2011, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional electric bicycles typically rely on a battery
pack and electronics incorporated into one or more housings that
are attached by various means to the outside of the bicycle frame.
External batteries and electronics have drawbacks including, but
not limited to, adding extra weight, consuming storage space on the
bike, negatively affecting the distribution of weight on the bike,
and hurting the aesthetics of the bicycle design.
[0003] In addition, existing electrical assist algorithms for
electrical bicycles typically do not take into account the
continuity of the bicycle's speed and acceleration, resulting in
bursts of power from the electric motor that may be unexpected
and/or excessively forceful and that may compromise the rider's
safety or enjoyment when riding the bicycle. Accordingly,
improvements to electric bicycles are needed, including improved
battery and electronics configurations and improved electrical
assist algorithms.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present teachings disclose aspects of an electric
bicycle and electric bicycle frame including batteries stored in a
pair of substantially parallel top tubes. In some cases, the top
tubes extend rearward of the bicycle seat tube, and an electronics
housing may be disposed between the rearward extending top tube
portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an electric bicycle,
according to aspects of the present teachings.
[0006] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the electric bicycle of FIG.
1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a rear portion of the frame
of the electric bicycle of FIGS. 1-2, showing further details of an
electronics housing disposed between rearward extending portions of
the bicycle top tubes.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a semi-transparent side elevational view of the
electronics housing of FIG. 3, showing details of battery end caps
disposed within the housing and facilitating electrical connection
between the bicycle batteries and the electronics housing.
[0009] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a front portion of the frame
of the electric bicycle of FIGS. 1-2, showing further details of a
front rack and a mounting portion of the bicycle frame that
facilitates attachment of the front rack.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view similar to the view of
FIG. 5, depicting the front rack disengaged from the bicycle
frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present teachings generally relate to electric bicycles
having batteries integrated into a bicycle frame and configured to
be electrically connected to an electronics housing in a particular
manner. The present teachings also relate to other aspects of an
electric bicycle, including a novel front rack and accessory
mounting system.
[0012] FIGS. 1-2 schematically depict an electric bicycle,
generally indicated at 10, according to aspects of the present
teachings. Bicycle 10 includes a frame, generally indicated at 12,
having various tubes that are joined together by any of a number of
standard methods known in the art, such as welding, brazing,
molding and/or the like. The particular method of joining the tubes
depends to a large degree on the chosen frame material. Typical
materials used to construct a bicycle frame include steel,
aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber, although other materials may
be used.
[0013] Frame 12 includes a down tube 14, a seat tube 16
intersecting a lower portion of the down tube at a bottom bracket
region 18, a pair of chain stays 20 each extending backward from
the bottom bracket region to a rear wheel dropout 22, and a pair of
seat stays 24 each extending generally upward and forward from a
corresponding one of the rear wheel dropouts to intersect the seat
tube. The frame further includes a head tube 26 having a lower
portion 28 that intersects an upper portion 30 of the down tube and
which is configured to receive a steerer tube of a bicycle fork 32,
and an upper portion 34 which is configured to receive a stem of a
bicycle handlebar 36. In other words, down tube 14 extends
generally downward and rearward from the lower portion of the head
tube.
[0014] In addition, frame 12 includes a first or lower top tube 38
extending between either the lower portion of the head tube or an
upper portion of the down tube and the seat tube, and a second or
upper top tube 40 extending between the upper portion of the head
tube and the seat tube. More generally, the upper top tube extends
generally rearward from an upper portion of the head tube, and the
lower top tube extends rearward from a portion of the frame below
the upper top tube. Whether this portion of the frame is the lower
portion of the head tube or an upper portion of the down tube is a
matter of design choice that typically depends on the overall frame
size. As depicted in FIG. 1, seat tube 16 intersects each of upper
top tube 40, lower top tube 38 and down tube 14.
[0015] As also depicted, for example, in FIG. 1, top tubes 38 and
40 each may be configured to hold a battery or a battery pack for
powering an electric motor of bicycle 10. For instance, each top
tube may contain a plurality of battery cells connected in series
to form batteries 42, 44, which are inserted into the top
tubes.
[0016] Also as depicted in FIG. 1, top tubes 38 and 40 each extend
rearward of seat tube 16 to some extent, i.e. beyond its
intersection with the seat tube. This allows an electronics housing
50 to be disposed rearward of the seat tube, between the first and
second (i.e., upper and lower) top tubes. In other cases, the
electronics housing may be disposed in front of the seat tube, but
still between the top tubes. In still other cases, the controlling
electronics may be disposed elsewhere than in a housing between the
top tubes, such as in a bag that may be removably attached to a
portion of the bicycle frame or to a rack. When electronics housing
50 is disposed at the rear of the frame as in FIG. 1, a rearward
portion of the housing may include one or more lights, such as
integrated safety lights 51 configured to receive power from the
batteries stored within the frame.
[0017] Electronics housing 50 is configured to be electrically
connected to batteries 42, 44 stored within the top tubes.
Specifically, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, upper and
lower battery end caps 52, 54 are provided and configured to fit
around seat tube 16 and each to provide an electrical conduit,
generally indicated at 56, 58 in FIG. 4, between a respective one
of the batteries and electronics housing 50. Conduits 56, 58 each
include a pair of detents indicated at 60, 62 formed in opposing
lateral sides of the respective battery end cap and configured to
allow passage of wires from the battery to the electronics housing.
For example, substantially flat wires 64, 66 are shown passing
through detents 60, 62 in FIG. 4. Another similar wire (not shown)
passes through a similar detent on the opposing lateral side of
each battery end cap and carries the opposite electrical
polarity.
[0018] In other cases, an electrical conduit between each battery
and the electronics housing may be formed in some other manner,
such as by passing a wire through or around the seat tube, with or
without the use of a battery end cap of the type shown in FIG. 4.
Furthermore, according to the present teachings, conduits provided
by battery end caps need not be configured to accommodate flat
wires, but instead may have any other shape configured to
accommodate electrical connectors of any desired type, such as
cylindrical wires.
[0019] Electronics housing typically includes upper and lower
"male" electrical plugs 70, 72, which are configured to form an
electrical connection with a respective one of the battery end caps
by interfacing with a corresponding "female" connector in each end
cap. Other forms of electrical connection between the electronics
housing and the battery end caps are possible, including reversing
the disposition of the "male" and "female" connectors, or
eliminating those connectors entirely and instead using some other
form of electrical connection, such as banana plugs, or simply
wiring the batteries directly to the electronics housing. However,
the plug configuration depicted in FIG. 4 allows convenient
installation and removal of the electronics housing from the
electric bicycle. Similarly, the electronics housing itself may
include a removable rear portion 74, within which one or more
lights such as light 51 may be disposed.
[0020] In addition to the various tubes described previously,
bicycle 10 also will typically include various other parts of a
working electric bicycle, such as a front fork 32 extending
generally downward from the lower portion of the head tube and
providing a pair of front wheel dropouts 82, a front wheel 84, and
a rear wheel 86. Furthermore, the electric bicycle will include an
electric motor (not shown) attached to some portion of the bicycle
drive train, such as to the front wheel hub, rear wheel hub, or
bottom bracket, although other attachments are also possible.
[0021] The batteries stored in the top tubes are generally
configured to provide locomotive power to the electric bicycle,
typically through a power controller, generally indicated at 90,
which is disposed in the electronics housing. Controller 90 is
configured to provide power from the batteries to the motor of the
bicycle according to a control algorithm. This can be accomplished
through an electrical connection between the controller and the
motor. This electrical connection may include wires disposed
entirely within the bicycle frame, although in some cases one or
more segments of wire may be disposed outside the frame.
[0022] FIGS. 5-6 depict close-up views of a rack system, generally
indicated at 100, suitable for mounting a rack on the front portion
of a bicycle such as electric bicycle 10. Rack system 100 includes
a rack 102 that is configured to connect with an integrated
mounting portion 104 of bicycle frame 12. In FIGS. 5-6, mounting
portion 104 takes the form of a pair of substantially horizontal
mounting tubes 106, 108 connected to down tube 14 on opposing
lateral sides of the down tube. An angled bridge portion 110
connects the horizontal mounting tubes to head tube 26 via a
connecting tube 112 that passes between a central portion of the
head tube and bridge portion 110. Three transverse tubes 114, 116,
118 provide additional structural integrity to mounting portion 104
and provide an attachment mechanism for rack 102, as described in
more detail below.
[0023] More specifically, as can be seen in FIG. 6, transverse tube
114 includes a plurality of movable protrusions 120, 122, 124, all
of which are attached to a spring-biased member (not shown) that
can slide within transverse tube 114. As indicated by the arrows in
FIG. 6, these three protrusions may be slid from left to right in
order to engage the rear protrusions 120, 124 with complementary
slots 126, 128 in a connection member 130 of rack 102. This is
typically done by a user by manually moving front protrusion 122,
which causes the spring-biased member and thus the rear protrusions
also to move. In addition, rack 102 includes L-shaped brace members
132, 134 configured to fit under transverse tube 118 of mounting
portion 104.
[0024] To engage the rack with the mounting portion, a user angles
the rack slightly downward, fits brace members 132, 134 under
transverse tube 118, lowers the rack toward the horizontal, slides
protrusion 122 to the right causing protrusions 120, 124 also to
move toward the right, engages protrusions 120, 124 with
complementary slots 126, 128 of connection member 130, lowers the
rack to a completely horizontal position, and then releases
protrusion 122, allowing spring-biased protrusions 120, 124 to
slide back toward the left within slots 126, 128. At this point,
rack 102 will be securely engaged with mounting portion 104 by the
combination of brace members 132, 134 disposed under transverse
tube 118, and protrusions 120, 124 engaged within slots 126,
128.
[0025] Although a specific attachment mechanism for mounting rack
102 to mounting portion 104 is shown in FIGS. 5-6 and described
above, the present teachings contemplate more general attachment
mechanisms. For example, any number of attachment protrusions may
be used, rather than exactly two for engaging the rack and one for
providing manual input from a user. Furthermore, the size and shape
of these protrusions, and of the mechanism that allows a user to
move the protrusions, may be varied. In addition, the protrusions
themselves may be located on either the mounting portion of the
frame (as shown in FIGS. 5-6) or on the rack itself (not shown), in
which case the complementary slots will be disposed on the mounting
portion of the frame.
[0026] Generally speaking, any number, size or shape of mounting
protrusions may be used and disposed either on the rack itself or
the mounting portion of the frame, in conjunction with
complementary slots or apertures of suitable design. Similarly,
different, sizes, shapes and numbers of brace members may be used,
and in some cases no brace members at all may be used, in which
case another set of mounting protrusions and complementary
apertures may be used instead. The mounting protrusions need not be
spring biased, but in some cases instead may be biased toward or
otherwise securable in a mounting position by some other suitable
mechanism.
[0027] The present teachings also contemplate that the attachment
mechanism used to engage rack 102 with frame mounting portion 104
may be used to attach things other than rack 102 to the bicycle.
For example, the attachment mechanism may be used to attach racks
of other sizes and/or styles, bags such as panniers, baskets,
platforms, child-carrying seats or the like. In other words, frame
mounting portion 104 may be configured with a universal interface
that allows the secure attachment of a plethora of interchangeable
accessories to the bicycle frame.
* * * * *