Cooling method for E-bike power and energy systems

• US 10,023,264 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2015
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hayslett, Steven L., Bailie, Jess R., Bostwick, Peter, Lannen, Richard J., Bryant, Wade W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rocca, Joseph M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams, Maurice L
• Application Number:
  US14/677,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20160288874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/02 characterised by material or cross-section of frame members
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/40 Rider propelled cycles with auxiliary electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/80 Accessories, e.g. power sources; Arrangements thereof

Abstract

An electric cycle with a frame that may include a tube and an opening. The tube may extend from a first end to a second end and may define a tube interior volume in fluid communication with the opening. An electric power unit may be mounted to the frame proximal the second end of the tube and may have a cooling air inlet and an exhaust port. A cooling path may be defined through the tube interior volume and at least a portion of the electric power unit. The cooling path may be in fluid communication with the opening so that air may flow into the opening, through the tube, into the cooling air inlet and out of the exhaust port of the electric power unit.

Claims

1. An electric cycle comprising:

a frame including a tube and an opening, the tube extends from a first end to a second end and defines a tube interior volume in fluid communication with the opening;

an electric power unit mounted to the frame proximal the second end of the tube and having a cooling air inlet and an exhaust port; and

wherein a cooling path is defined through the tube interior volume and at least a portion of the electric power unit, the cooling path being in fluid communication with the opening so that air may flow into the opening, through the tube, into the cooling air inlet and out of the exhaust port of the electric power unit;

a rotor connected in the electric power unit, wherein the rotor has an open center, and wherein a duct is disposed between the tube and the open center to direct air to the open center; and

wherein the frame further comprises a head tube that includes the opening, which opens into a head tube interior volume, the head tube being connected to the tube at the first end such that the head tube interior volume is in fluid communication with the tube interior volume and the cooling path.

2. The electric cycle according to claim 1 wherein the tube has a first segment and a second segment, the first segment separated from the second segment and wherein air flows into the cooling air inlet of the electric power unit through the first segment and exits through the exhaust port of the electric power unit and through the second segment.

3. The electric cycle according to claim 1 further comprising a fan positioned in the electric power unit, the fan supplementing air flow through the electric power unit.

4. The electric cycle according to claim 1 further comprising a battery positioned in the electric power unit, wherein the cooling path is directed around the battery.

5. An electric cycle comprising:

a frame including a first tube that has a first end and a second end,

a head tube connected to the first end,

an electric power unit mounted to the frame near the second end,

wherein a cooling path is defined through the head tube, the first tube and the electric power unit, the cooling path open through the head tube so that air may flow through the cooling path to the electric power unit for cooling; and

,

a rotor connected in the electric power unit, wherein the rotor has an open center, and wherein a duct is disposed between the first tube and the open center to direct air to the open center through the duct.

6. The electric cycle according to claim 5 further comprising a seat tube connected in the frame, and a saddle connected to the seat tube;

wherein the seat tube has an open interior, the open interior opening into the electric power unit so that the cooling path exits the electric power unit through the seat tube.

7. The electric cycle according to claim 6 wherein the seat tube has an exhaust port that opens to the cooling path, the exhaust port directed at the saddle.

8. The electric cycle according to claim 6 further comprising a seat post connecting the saddle to the seat tube, wherein air exits the cooling path through the seat post.

9. The electric cycle according to claim 5 wherein the electric power unit includes a housing that has an interior, the interior open into the second end of the first tube.

10. The electric cycle according to claim 5 wherein the first tube has a first segment and a second segment, the first segment separated from the second segment and wherein air flows into the electric power unit through the first segment and air exits the electric power unit through the second segment.

11. The electric cycle according to claim 5 further comprising a fan positioned in the electric power unit, the fan supplementing air flow through the electric power unit.

12. The electric cycle according to claim 5 further comprising a battery positioned in the electric power unit, wherein the cooling path is directed around the battery.

13. A product for use with an electric cycle comprising:

an electric power unit that is operable to drive the electric cycle;

a rotor configured to rotate in the electric power unit;

a battery unit disposed in the electric power unit to provide power to rotate the rotor;

a cooling path defined by the electric cycle, the cooling path directing cooling air into the electric power unit;

at least one deflector disposed in the electric power unit to direct cooling air onto the battery unit;

a crank that is manually operated, the crank configured to operate with the rotor to drive the electric cycle; and

,

a rotor connected in the electric power unit, wherein the rotor has an open center, and wherein a duct is disposed between the tube and the open center to direct air to the open center.

14. An electric cycle comprising:

a frame including a tube and an opening, the tube extends from a first end to a second end and defines a tube interior volume in fluid communication with the opening;

an electric power unit mounted to the frame proximal the second end of the tube and having a cooling air inlet and an exhaust port; and

wherein a cooling path is defined through the tube interior volume and at least a portion of the electric power unit, the cooling path being in fluid communication with the opening so that air may flow into the opening, through the tube, into the cooling air inlet and out of the exhaust port of the electric power unit;

a rotor connected in the electric power unit, wherein the rotor has an open center, and wherein a duct is disposed between the tube and the open center to direct air to the open center; and

wherein the frame further comprises a seat tube and a saddle supported by the seat tube;

wherein the seat tube defines an open interior, the open interior being in a fluid opening condition into the electric power unit so that air exits the electric power unit through the seat tube.

15. The electric cycle according to claim 14 wherein the seat tube has a saddle exhaust port that opens to the cooling path to allow air out of the cooling path.

16. The electric cycle according to claim 15 wherein the saddle exhaust port directs air from the cooling path and at the saddle.

17. The electric cycle according to claim 16 further comprising a seat post connecting the saddle to the seat tube, wherein air exits the cooling path through the seat post.

18. The electric cycle according to claim 14 further comprising a fan positioned in the electric power unit, the fan supplementing air flow through the electric power unit.

19. The electric cycle according to claim 14 further comprising a battery positioned in the electric power unit, wherein the cooling path is directed around the battery.