U.S. patent application number 15/424888 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-09 for control system for electric bicycles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wen-Sung Lee. Invention is credited to Wen-Sung Lee.
Application Number | 20180222548 15/424888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63013625 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180222548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Wen-Sung |
August 9, 2018 |
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC BICYCLES
Abstract
An electric bicycle includes two pedals, a motor, a battery
providing power to the motor, a first detection member for
detecting acceleration of the electric bicycle and trading
acceleration of the pedals, and a controller. The controller
receives the acceleration of the electric bicycle and the treading
acceleration of the pedals from the first detection member, and
then controls output of the motor and the battery. When the
treading acceleration of the pedals is larger than the acceleration
of the electric bicycle, the controller concludes that the
resistance from outside to the electric bicycle increases, the
controller increases output of the motor and the battery. When the
treading acceleration of the pedals is smaller than the
acceleration of the electric bicycle, the controller concludes that
the resistance from outside to the electric bicycle decreases, the
output of the motor and the battery is reduced.
Inventors: |
Lee; Wen-Sung; (Taichung
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lee; Wen-Sung |
Taichung City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
63013625 |
Appl. No.: |
15/424888 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62M 6/45 20130101; B62J
45/00 20200201; B62J 45/20 20200201; B62J 45/40 20200201; H04W
4/029 20180201; H04W 4/80 20180201; B62J 6/02 20130101; Y02D 30/70
20200801; B62M 6/90 20130101; Y02D 70/00 20180101; B60Y 2200/13
20130101; H04M 1/0202 20130101; B60Y 2200/91 20130101; B62J 6/04
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62M 6/50 20060101
B62M006/50; B62K 11/10 20060101 B62K011/10; B62M 6/90 20060101
B62M006/90; B62J 6/02 20060101 B62J006/02; B62J 6/04 20060101
B62J006/04; B62J 6/00 20060101 B62J006/00; B62J 11/00 20060101
B62J011/00 |
Claims
1. An electric bicycle (1) comprising: two pedals (11), a motor
(12) and a battery (13) which provides power to the motor (12); a
control system having a first detection member (15) for detecting
acceleration of the electric bicycle (1) and treading acceleration
of the pedals (11), the treading acceleration of the pedals (11)
composed of a first component force that has the same direction as
the treading acceleration of the pedals (11), and a second
component force that is perpendicular to the direction as the
treading acceleration of the pedals (11), and a controller (2)
receiving the acceleration of the electric bicycle (I) and the
treading acceleration of the pedals (11) from the first detection
member (15), and a comparison between a ratio of the first
component force to the second component force and the acceleration
of the electric bicycle (1) being made, the controller (2) sending
signals to the motor (12) and the battery (13) according to the
comparison so as to control output of the motor (12) and the
battery (13), when the treading acceleration of the pedals (11) is
larger than the acceleration of the electric bicycle (1), the
controller (2) concludes that the resistance from outside to the
electric bicycle (1) increases, the controller (2) increases output
of the motor (12) and the battery (13), when the treading
acceleration of the pedals (11) is smaller than the acceleration of
the electric bicycle (1), the controller (2) concludes that the
resistance from outside to the electric bicycle (1) decreases, the
controller (2) reduces output of the motor (12) and the battery
(13).
2. (canceled)
3. The electric bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second
detection member (14) is connected to the controller (2) and
detects speed and travel distance of the electric bicycle (1), the
controller (2) receives the speed and the travel distance of the
electric bicycle (1), when the speed of the electric bicycle (1) is
over 32 km per hour, the two respective outputs of the motor (12)
and the battery (13) are stopped.
4. The electric bicycle as claimed in claim 3, wherein a monitor
(18) is connected to the controller (2), the controller (2)
monitors the battery (13) and displays result of the battery (13)
on the monitor (18), the monitor (18) displays the speed and the
travel distance of the electric bicycle (1) detected by the second
detection member (14).
5. The electric bicycle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the monitor
(18) is wirelessly connected to the controller (2).
6. The electric bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
controller (2) includes a motor control interface (21) which is
electrically connected to the motor (12).
7. The electric bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
controller (2) is electrically connected to a headlight (16) and a
taillight (17), the headlight (16) includes a light sensor (161)
which detects brightness of environment, the controller (2) changes
output to the headlight (16) according to the detected brightness
of environment.
8. The electric bicycle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
controller (2) includes a blue-tooth transmitting unit (22) which
is wirelessly connected to a smart phone (3).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Fields of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an electric bicycle, and
more particularly, to a control system for an electric bicycle.
2. Descriptions of Related Art
[0002] One of the conventional electric bicycle control systems
known to applicant comprises a body, a rear wheel unit removably
connected to the bicycle frame, a detection module connected to a
transmission part of the bicycle so as to detect the operation of
the transmission part and generate operational signals, a driving
module, multiple driving units, a power module and a control
module. The driving module includes a driving unit connected to the
body and including multiple driving members. The driving units are
connected to the driving members and rotatably connected to the
rear wheel unit. The power module is electrically connected to the
driving module and the detection module. The control module is
electrically connected to the driving module, the detection module
and the power module. The control module receives the operational
signals and calculates a driving signal which is sent to the
driving unit. The driving unit then drives the driving members
according to the driving signal and drives the driving units. The
driving units drive the rear wheel unit to move the bicycle.
[0003] However, the conventional control system only adjusts the
internal resistance of the transmission in the bicycle. Only torque
and speeds of gears are involved in the control system. The
conventional control system cannot monitor and adjust the whole
momentum of the bicycle. When different riders of different weights
operate the bicycle, the conventional control system cannot respond
properly.
[0004] Besides, the conventional control system cannot properly
provide or adjust the assistance power to the bicycle when the
bicycle is operated along roads of different inclinations.
[0005] The obvious shortcomings of the conventional control system
are that the riders still have to tread hard on ascent roads. When
the bicycle is operated on downhill roads, the assistance force
from the control system cannot be properly reduced, so that the
rider has to brake frequently.
[0006] The present invention intends to provide a control system
for an electric bicycle to improve the shortcomings mentioned
above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to an electric bicycle and
comprises two pedals, a motor and a battery which provides power to
the motor. A control system includes a first detection member
detects acceleration of the electric bicycle and trading
acceleration of the pedals. A controller receives the acceleration
of the electric bicycle and the treading acceleration of the pedals
from the first detection member, and sends signals to the motor and
the battery so as to control output of the motor and the
battery.
[0008] When the treading acceleration of the pedals is larger than
the acceleration of the electric bicycle, the controller concludes
that the resistance from outside to the electric bicycle increases,
the controller increases output of the motor and the battery. When
the treading acceleration of the pedals is smaller than the
acceleration of the electric bicycle, the controller concludes that
the resistance from outside to the electric bicycle decreases, the
controller reduces output of the motor and the battery.
[0009] Preferably, the treading acceleration of the pedals is
composed of a first component force that has the same direction as
the treading acceleration of the pedals, and a second component
force that is perpendicular to the direction as the treading
acceleration of the pedals. A comparison between a ratio of the
first component force to the second component force and the
acceleration of the electric bicycle is made, the controller
increases or reduces output of each of the motor and the battery
according to the comparison.
[0010] Preferably, a second detection member is connected to the
controller and detects speed and travel distance of the electric
bicycle. The controller receives the speed and the travel distance
of the electric bicycle. When the speed of the electric bicycle is
over 32 km per hour, the two respective outputs of the motor and
the battery are stopped.
[0011] Preferably, a monitor is connected to the controller, and
the controller monitors the battery and displays result of the
battery on the monitor. The monitor further displays the speed and
the travel distance of the electric bicycle detected by the second
detection member.
[0012] Preferably, the monitor is wirelessly connected to the
controller.
[0013] Preferably, the controller includes a motor control
interface which is electrically connected to the motor.
[0014] Preferably, the controller is electrically connected to a
headlight and a taillight. The headlight includes a light sensor
which detects brightness of environment, the controller changes
output to the headlight according to the detected brightness of
environment.
[0015] Preferably, the controller includes a blue-tooth
transmitting unit which is wirelessly connected to a smart
phone.
[0016] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
control system for an electric bicycle, wherein the control system
adjust the output of the motor and the battery according to
detected resistance applied to the electric bicycle.
[0017] The present invention will become more obvious from the
following description when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration
only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows the control system of the present invention is
wirelessly connected to a smart phone;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the block diagram of the control system of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the first and second component forces of the
treading acceleration of the pedals;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows the curves of the output of the motor of the
control system of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows that the light sensor detects the brightness of
the environment and the controller controls the headlight, and
[0023] FIG. 6 shows another situation that the light sensor detects
the brightness of the environment and the controller controls the
headlight.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the electric bicycle 1 comprises
two pedals 11, a motor 12 and a battery 13 which provides power to
the motor 12. The control system of the present invention comprises
a first detection member 15 for detecting acceleration of the
electric bicycle 1 and trading acceleration of the pedals 11. A
controller 2 receives the acceleration of the electric bicycle 1
and the treading acceleration of the pedals 11 from the first
detection member 15, and sends signals to the motor 12 and the
battery 13 to control output of the motor 12 and the battery
13.
[0025] When the treading acceleration of the pedals 11 is larger
than the acceleration of the electric bicycle 1, the controller 2
concludes that the resistance from outside to the electric bicycle
1 increases, so that the controller 2 increases output of the motor
12 and the battery 13. Therefore, the rider does not need to tread
hard to move the electric bicycle 1 forward. On the contrary, when
the treading acceleration of the pedals 11 is smaller than the
acceleration of the electric bicycle 1, the controller 2 concludes
that the resistance from outside to the electric bicycle 1
decreases, so that the controller 2 reduces output of the motor 12
and the battery 13. In this situation, the consumption of the
battery 13 is stopped so that the power of the battery 13 is saved
and can be used when needed.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, when the pedals 11 are tread in the
direction represented by the solid arrowhead marked in front of the
pedals 1, the electric bicycle 1 moves forward in the direction
represented by the hollow arrowhead (Y axis). The treading
acceleration of the pedals 11 is composed of a first component
force (arrowhead ZY) that has the same direction (Y axis) as the
treading acceleration of the pedals 11, and a second component
force (arrowhead ZX) that is perpendicular to the direction as the
treading acceleration of the pedals 11. A comparison between a
ratio of the first component force to the second component force
and the acceleration of the electric bicycle 1 is made, and the
controller 2 increases or reduces output of each of the motor 12
and the battery 13 according to the comparison.
[0027] Furthermore, a second detection member 14 is connected to
the front wheel 19 by a cable 141. The second detection member 14
further is connected to the controller 2 and detects speed and
travel distance of the electric bicycle 1. The controller 2
receives the speed and the travel distance of the electric bicycle
1. When the speed of the electric bicycle 1 is over 32 km per hour,
the two respective outputs of the motor 12 and the battery 13 are
stopped to avoid the electric bicycle 1 from being operated at
exceeded speed.
[0028] A monitor 18 is connected to the controller 2, wherein the
controller 2 monitors the battery 13 and displays result of the
battery 13 on the monitor 18. The monitor 18 further displays the
speed and the travel distance of the electric bicycle 1 detected by
the second detection member 14. The monitor 18 is wirelessly
connected to the controller 2. The controller 2 includes a motor
control interface 21 which is electrically connected to the motor
12.
[0029] The controller 2 further includes a processing unit 23 which
includes basic processing data such as the weight of the electric
bicycle 1. The processing unit 23 calculates the acceleration of
the electric bicycle 1, the treading acceleration of the pedals 11,
the speed, the travel distance of the electric bicycle 1, and the
treading force 231.
[0030] Assume the kinetic energy of the electric bicycle 1, after
the rider applies a treading force to the electric bicycle 1,
changes from Ek0 to Ek, the work that the trading force makes is
W=.DELTA.E.sub.K=E.sub.K-E.sub.K0=Fd, wherein the
Fd = mad = mad = ma ( v 2 2 - v 1 2 2 a ) = mv 2 2 2 - mv 1 2 2 =
.DELTA. E K , wherein d = ( v 2 2 - v 1 2 2 a ) , v 2 2 = v 1 2 + 2
ad , ##EQU00001##
m is the weight of the electric bicycle 1, v1 and v2 respectively
represent the initial speed and the final speed of the electric
bicycle 1, a is the acceleration of the electric bicycle 1, d is
the travel distance that the electric bicycle 1 travels. F is the
value of the trading force 231. By the equation above, the treading
force 231 is obtained. When the value of the treading force 231 is
larger than 25 Nm, this means that the resistance to the electric
bicycle 1 increases, so that the controller 2 commands the motor 12
and the battery 13 to increase their outputs. The curves of the
output of the motor 12 are disclosed in FIG. 4. When the electric
bicycle 1 is operated on a flat road, and the treading force 231 is
larger than 25 Nm, as shown in the top of the curve in FIG. 4, the
output of the motor 12 is gradually increased, and the speed is
maintained between 25 to 32 km per hour. When the electric bicycle
1 is operated on an uphill road, and the treading force 231 is
larger than 25 Nm, as shown in the middle portion of FIG. 4, the
output of the motor 12 is increased stage by stage to maintain the
speed between 25 to 32 km per hour. When the electric bicycle 1 is
operated on a downhill road, the electric bicycle 1 accelerates due
to gravity without treading, when the controller 2 acknowledges
that the speed is over 32 km per hour, the output of the motor 12
and the battery 13 will be stopped to avoid over-speeding. The
curve is disclosed on the lower portion of FIG. 4.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the controller 2 is electrically
connected to a headlight 16 and a taillight 17, wherein the
headlight 16 includes a light sensor 161 which detects brightness
of environment. The controller 2 changes output to the headlight 16
according to the detected brightness of environment as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6. Besides, the controller 2 includes a blue-tooth
transmitting unit 22 which is wirelessly connected to a smart phone
3 which records the information such as speed, travel distance,
riding time, the rider's weight and other physiological
information.
[0032] The advantages of the present invention are that the
controller 2 receives the acceleration of the electric bicycle 1
and the treading acceleration of the pedals 11 from the first
detection member 15, and sends signals to the motor 12 and the
battery 13 to control output of the motor 12 and the battery 13 so
as to assist the rider to operate the electric bicycle easily
regardless of the conditions of the road.
[0033] The proper response of the motor 12 and the battery 13
according to the road conditions saves the electric power of the
battery 13 and prolong the life of use of the motor 12.
[0034] While we have shown and described the embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those
skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *