Cycle lock system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10458490-B2
Application number	US-201715665350-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2017
Priority date	Jul 31, 2017
Publication date	Oct 29, 2019
Grant date	Oct 29, 2019

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for locking a cycle. A clutch system of the cycle includes a forward lock system configured to alternatively prevent or allow operation of the cycle in a forward direction. A shaft extends through the clutch system. An actuator is configured to move the forward lock system along the shaft between a lock position and a free position. A controller is configured to shift the actuator, via a signal from a processor, between the lock position and the free position. The cycle is configured to be locked against forward operation by the clutch system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lock system for a cycle comprising:
a clutch system of the cycle including a forward lock system including at least one strut engageable with a stop and configured to alternatively prevent or allow operation of the cycle in a forward direction;
a shaft extending through the clutch system;
an actuator configured to move the forward lock system along the shaft between a lock position and a free position; and
a controller configured to shift the actuator, via a signal from a processor, between the lock position and the free position;
wherein the cycle is configured to be locked in a default state against operation in the forward direction by the clutch system.

2. The lock system of claim 1 comprising a communication system coupled with the controller and the processor configured to respond to the communication system by shifting the actuator.

3. The lock system of claim 1 comprising a reverse lock system in the clutch system configured to alternatively prevent or allow operation of the cycle in a reverse direction.

4. The lock system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to power up the cycle prior to shifting the actuator.

5. The lock system of claim 1 comprising:
a unique identifier on the cycle including information that identifies the cycle.

6. The lock system of claim 5 wherein the unique identifier is configured to be scanned by a personal electronic device.

7. The lock system of claim 1 wherein the clutch system comprises:
a first element fixed to the shaft; and
a second element disposed adjacent the first element, the shaft extending through the second element;
wherein the strut is carried by the first element and configured to alternatively engage or disengage with the second element.

8. The lock system of claim 7 comprising a spring positioned between the first element and the strut, the spring biasing the strut toward the second element.

9. The lock system of claim 8 comprising a forward lock pocket formed in the second element into which the strut is positionable to lock the cycle against the forward operation.

10. The lock system of claim 9 wherein the actuator is coupled with the strut.

11. A method of locking a cycle comprising:
positioning, by a spring, a strut of a forward lock system of a clutch against a stop in a locked state that prevents a forward operation of the cycle;
determining, via a unique identifier, an identification of the cycle;
receiving, by a processor of a controller, an unlock signal to unlock the forward lock system; and
delivering, by the processor, an actuator signal to an actuator of the clutch to move the strut of the forward lock system against the spring to a free state off the stop that allows the forward operation of the cycle.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the unlock signal is initiated by a server located remote from the cycle.

13. The method of claim 12 comprising scanning the unique identifier with a personal electronic device obtaining identification data to determine the identification of the cycle.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising delivering, via the personal electronic device, the identification data to the server.

15. The method of claim 14 comprising:
sending to the server, via the personal electronic device, identification information of a cycle user; and
determining, via the server, an identification of the cycle user.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising:
scanning the unique identifier with the personal electronic device to end a use of the cycle;
positioning, via the actuator, the forward lock system in the locked state in response to scanning the unique identifier; and
determining, by the server, a fee for the use.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the clutch includes a reverse lock system and comprising positioning, via a signal from the processor, the reverse lock system in a free state when the forward lock system is in the locked state.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the unique identifier includes a barcode and comprising scanning the barcode with a personal electronic device to determine the identification of the cycle.

19. The method of claim 18 comprising communicating between the personal electronic device and the processor via a communication system on the cycle.

20. A lock system for a cycle comprising:
a clutch system of the cycle including a first element and a second element alternatively locked together or free to rotate relative to each other;
a shaft fixed to the cycle, wherein the first element is fixed to the shaft and wherein the second element is rotatable relative to the shaft wherein a forward lock pocket is formed in the second element and a strut is carried by the first element;
an actuator configured to move the strut between a lock position where the strut is positioned in the forward lock pocket and a free position where the strut is retracted from the forward lock pocket;
a controller configured to shift the actuator, via a signal from a processor, between the lock position and the free position; and
a communication system coupled with the controller and receptive of an off-board signal to move the strut from the lock position to the free position;
wherein the cycle is configured to be locked against a forward operation by the clutch system and the forward operation is unlocked by the processor in response to the off-board signal.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Gao Zhen
• Duan Chengwu
• Yao Jian
• Lee Chunhao J

Classifications

• F16D41/30

  with hinged pawl co-operating with teeth, cogs, or the like · CPC title

• F16D41/26 Primary

  with provision for altering the action · CPC title

• F16D41/16

  the action being reversible · CPC title

• F16D41/125

  the pawl movement having an axial component · CPC title

• B62H5/14 Primary

  preventing wheel rotation {(B62H5/003 takes precedence)} · CPC title