Electric propulsion control system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9278727-B2
Application number	US-201414280028-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 16, 2014
Priority date	May 16, 2014
Publication date	Mar 8, 2016
Grant date	Mar 8, 2016

Abstract

A bicycle includes at least one pedal and a flywheel. The flywheel rotates in accordance with movement of the pedal. A motor is configured to rotate a wheel. A battery powers the motor, and a throttle controls how much power is provided from the battery to the motor. Power from the battery is only provided to the motor while the flywheel is rotating.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bicycle comprising:
at least one pedal;
a flywheel operably connected to the pedal and configured to rotate in accordance with actuation of the pedal;
a motor configured to rotate a wheel;
a battery configured to power the motor; and
a switch configured to selectively connect the battery to the motor, wherein the switch is configured to close when the flywheel is rotating to provide power from the battery to the motor and wherein the switch is configured to open when the flywheel is not rotating to shut off the motor,
wherein the flywheel includes a generator configured to generate a rotation signal indicating that the flywheel is rotating, wherein the switch is configured to close in response to receiving the rotation signal and wherein the switch is configured to open in the absence of the rotation signal.

2. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the pedal includes a reciprocating pedal.

3. The bicycle of claim 1 , further comprising
a throttle; and
a potentiometer having an adjustable resistance and operably coupled to the throttle.

4. The bicycle of claim 3 , wherein the power output by the battery is related to the resistance of the potentiometer.

5. The bicycle of claim 3 , wherein the resistance of the potentiometer is adjusted by manipulating the throttle.

6. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the flywheel is configured to rotate in response to a reciprocating motion of the pedal.

7. A bicycle comprising:
at least one pedal;
a flywheel operably connected to the pedal and configured to rotate;
a motor configured to rotate at least one wheel; and
a relay operably disposed between the flywheel and the motor, wherein the relay includes a switch configured to close when the flywheel is rotating to pass power to the motor and open when the flywheel is not rotating to shut off the motor,
wherein the flywheel includes a generator configured to generate a rotation signal indicating that the flywheel is rotating, wherein the switch is configured to close in response to the relay receiving the rotation signal and wherein the switch is configured to open in the absence of the relay receiving the rotation signal.

8. The bicycle of claim 7 , wherein the pedal includes a reciprocating pedal.

9. The bicycle of claim 7 , further comprising a potentiometer electrically connected to the relay, wherein the potentiometer has an adjustable resistance.

10. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the power provided to the motor is related to the resistance of the potentiometer.

11. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the resistance of the potentiometer is adjusted by manipulating a throttle.

12. The bicycle of claim 7 , wherein the power to the motor is provided by a battery.

13. The bicycle of claim 7 , wherein the flywheel is configured to rotate in response to a reciprocating motion of the pedal.

14. A bicycle comprising:
at least one reciprocating pedal;
a flywheel operably connected to the pedal and configured to rotate in response to a reciprocating motion of the reciprocating pedal, the flywheel including a generator configured to generate a rotation signal indicating that the flywheel is rotating;
a motor configured to rotate a wheel;
a battery configured to power the motor;
a throttle configured to electrically connect the battery to the motor; and
a relay configured to receive the rotation signal, the relay including a switch configured to close in response to the relay receiving the rotation signal indicating that the flywheel is rotating to allow power from the battery to pass to the motor and open in the absence of the relay receiving the rotation signal to shut off the motor.

15. The bicycle of claim 14 , further comprising a potentiometer having an adjustable resistance and operably coupled to the throttle.

16. The bicycle of claim 15 , wherein the power output by the battery is related to the resistance of the potentiometer.

17. The bicycle of claim 15 , wherein the resistance of the potentiometer is adjusted by manipulating the throttle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Anderson Ronald L

Classifications

• B62M6/50 Primary

  characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof · CPC title

• B62M1/10

  involving devices which enable the mechanical storing and releasing of energy occasionally, e.g. arrangement of flywheels · CPC title

• B62K2204/00

  Adaptations for driving cycles by electric motor · CPC title

• B62M7/12

  with the engine beside or within the driven wheel · CPC title

• B62M6/45 Primary

  Control or actuating devices therefor · CPC title