Devices and methods of thermal management for a motorized wheel

• US 10,005,317 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2015
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Superpedestrian IPCO LLC
• Original Assignee: Superpedestrian, Inc.
• Inventors: Biderman, Assaf, Barber, Eric, Fong, Long Hin, Heinzmann, John David, Roy, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Triggs, James J
• Application Number:
  US14/951,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20160082772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6894 Wheel chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/048 Power-assistance activated by pushing on hand rim or on handlebar
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0018 for wheelchair users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0618 moving in a horizontal plane without substantial friction, i.e. using inertial forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/20 using rollers, wheels, castors or the like, e.g. gliding means, to be moved over the floor or other surface, e.g. guide tracks, during exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/047 : Walking and pulling or pushing a load for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2360/102 : Steel
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2360/104 : Aluminum
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2360/106 : Magnesia
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2360/108 : Titanium
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0015 : for driven wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/04 : housing driving means, e.g. sprockets
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/513 : Cooling, e.g. of brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/90 : Providing or changing
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 : of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/045 : Arrangement in a wheel, e.g. a spare wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0038 : the motor moving together with the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0092 : the motor axle being coaxial to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/00 : Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel roller-skate driving mechanisms A63C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 : the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/025 : using field orientation; Vector control; Direct Torque Control [DTC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 : for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2009 : for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2036 : Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 : Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/34 : Wheel chairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/36 : Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 : Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 : Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/50 : Structural details of electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 : Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/461 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/463 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 : Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 : Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 : by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/642 : Slope of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/667 : Precipitation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/68 : Traffic data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 : Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 : by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/12 : by confirmation, e.g. of the input
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/44 : by parameter estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 : relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 : relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 : relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 : Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 : using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 : characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 : Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 : for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/14 : Preventing excessive discharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 : having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/00 : Electrodynamic brake systems for vehicles in general
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 : for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/005 : automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 : Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0014 : Adaptive controllers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 : Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 : Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 : Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/13 : Bicycles; Tricycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/84 : Wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/18 : Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/1884 : Avoiding stall or over-speed of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/02 : Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/18 : in which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/007 : Coaster wagons
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/004 : in wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 : with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/45 : Control or actuating devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/80 : Accessories, e.g. power sources; Arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0088 : Key-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/006 : actuating opto-electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/54 : Electrical circuits for locking several wings simultaneously E05B77/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3461 : Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 : Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 : Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 : providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 : Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 : Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/015 : with provision for distinguishing between two or more types of vehicles, e.g. between motor-cars and cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09626 : where the origin of the information is within the own vehicle, e.g. a local storage device, digital map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 : where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 : where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 : where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096791 : where the origin of the information is another vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 : for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 : for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 : Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/20 : for measuring, monitoring, testing, protecting or switching rectifiers H02K11/04; power electronics H02K11/33
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 : Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/006 : Structural association of a motor or generator with the drive train of a motor vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/08 : Arrangements for controlling the speed or torque of a single motor H02P6/10, H02P6/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 : Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 : Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A method of thermal management for an electrically motorized wheel, the method can include defining a thermally conductive path from at least one component, the at least one component becoming heated during operation of the electrically motorized wheel, providing the path with a thermally conductive material and further defining the path such that the path contacts the at least one component, further defining the path such that the path contacts a hub shell assembly of the electrically motorized wheel thereby conducting heat from the at least one component to the hub shell assembly.

Claims

1. A method of thermal management for an electrically motorized wheel, the method comprising:

defining a thermally conductive path from at least one component, said at least one component becoming heated during operation of the electrically motorized wheel,

providing the thermally conductive path with a thermally conductive material and further defining the thermally conductive path such that the thermally conductive path contacts the at least one component,

further defining the thermally conductive path such that the thermally conductive path contacts a shaft or a hub shell assembly of the electrically motorized wheel thereby conducting heat from the at least one component to the shaft or the hub shell assembly.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising arranging the hub shell assembly or the shaft in proximity to the at least one component to facilitate a short thermally conductive path therebetween.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising locating a plurality of convection elements that extend from the hub shell assembly.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising further defining the thermally conductive path from the at least one component through the shaft of the electrically motorized wheel to a frame of a wheeled vehicle upon which the electrically motorized wheel is installed.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising defining the thermally conductive path through the hub shell assembly by selecting a thickness of the hub shell assembly wherein the thickness is between about 2-4 mm.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising defining the thermally conductive path through the hub shell assembly by selecting a material of the hub shell assembly from one of an aluminum, magnesium, steel and titanium alloy.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising defining the thermally conductive path through a plurality of convection elements of the hub shell assembly.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising agitating airflow within the hub shell assembly with the plurality of convection elements.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising passing outside air over the at least one component by locating a plurality of air intakes and a plurality of air outlets on the electrically motorized wheel.

9. A method of thermal management for an electrically motorized wheel having a hub shell assembly containing at least one component that becomes heated during operation of the electrically motorized wheel, the method comprising:

agitating airflow within the hub shell assembly via a plurality of convection elements that extend from the hub shell assembly; and

forming a thermal path from the at least one component that becomes heated during operation of the electrically motorized wheel to the hub shell assembly.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising defining the thermal path through the hub shell assembly by selecting a thickness of the hub shell assembly wherein the thickness is between about 2-4 mm.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising defining the thermal path through the hub shell assembly by selecting a material of the hub shell assembly from one of an aluminum, magnesium, steel and titanium alloy.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising forming a thermal path from the at least one component that becomes heated during operation of the electrically motorized wheel to a shaft of the electrically motorized wheel.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising defining the thermal path from the at least one component that becomes heated through the shaft of the electrically motorized wheel to a frame of a non-motorized wheeled vehicle upon which the electrically motorized wheel is installed.

20. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising passing outside air over the at least one component by locating a plurality of air intakes and a plurality of air outlets on the electrically motorized wheel.

14. A hub shell assembly for an electrically motorized wheel, comprising:

a drive side shell defined about an axis;

a non-drive side ring mounted to the drive side shell; and

a removable access door removably attachable to the non-drive side ring, wherein at least one of the drive side shell, the non-drive side ring and the removable access door forms a portion of a thermal path defined from at least one component that becomes heated during operation of the electrically motorized wheel.

15. The hub shell assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one of the drive side shell, the non-drive side ring and the removable access door includes at least one convection element to agitate an airflow within the hub shell assembly.

16. The hub shell assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of the drive side shell, the non-drive side ring and the removable access door is about 2-4 mm thick.

17. The hub shell assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one of the drive side shell, the non-drive side ring and the removable access door is manufactured of at least one of an aluminum, magnesium, or titanium alloy.

18. The hub shell assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one of the drive side shell, the non-drive side ring and the removable access door is manufactured of a material that allows for heat transfer without air exchange.

21. The hub shell assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one of the drive side shell, the non-drive side ring and the removable access door includes at least one air intake or air outlet.