Hybrid Conversion Kits And Methods

• US 20090127008A1
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Batdorf, Scott Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/942,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20090127008A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/11
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/20 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/46 Vehicles with auxiliary ad-on propulsions, e.g. add-on electric motor kits for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A hybrid conversion kit is configured for attachment to a pre-existing vehicle. The kit includes a frame assembly, an auxiliary wheel, a generator/motor, an energy storage device, and a controller. The frame assembly is adapted to be connected to the vehicle. The auxiliary wheel is mounted to the frame assembly and is positioned to contact a ground surface. The generator/motor is connected to the auxiliary wheel. The controller is configured to direct energy from the energy storage device to the generator/motor and thence to the auxiliary wheel when a vehicle is accelerating or moving at a constant, non-zero speed. The controller is further configured for causing the generator/motor to convert rotary motion of the auxiliary wheel into a different form of energy and to cause the energy so converted to be stored in the energy storage device as a vehicle decelerates. Methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A hybrid conversion kit configured to attach to a pre-existing vehicle, said kit comprising:

a frame assembly adapted to be connected to a vehicle;

an auxiliary wheel mounted to the frame assembly and positioned to contact a ground surface;

a generator/motor connected to the auxiliary wheel;

an energy storage device; and

a controller configured to direct energy from the energy storage device to the generator/motor and thence to the auxiliary wheel when a vehicle is accelerating or moving at a constant, non-zero speed and for causing the generator/motor to convert rotary motion of the auxiliary wheel into a different form of energy and to cause the energy so converted to be stored in the energy storage device as a vehicle decelerates.

2. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 1 wherein the energy storage device is configured to store electrical energy and the generator/motor comprises an electric motor.

3. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 1 wherein the energy storage device is configured to store mechanical energy and the generator/motor is configured to be fluid operated.

4. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 1 wherein the energy storage device is configured to store mechanical energy and the generator/motor comprises an electric motor.

5. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 1 including two auxiliary wheels.

6. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 5 wherein each of the two auxiliary wheels is connected to the same generator/motor.

7. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 5 further including a separate generator/motor, wherein each of the two generator/motors is connected with a respective of the two auxiliary wheels.

8. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 7 wherein the energy storage device is configured to store electrochemical energy.

9. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 8 wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery.

10. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 3 wherein the energy storage device comprises a flywheel.

11. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 1 wherein the frame assembly is configured to be rigidly connected to a vehicle and includes a suspension, the suspension being configured to urge the auxiliary wheel toward a ground surface.

12. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 11 wherein the suspension includes a shock absorber assembly.

13. The hybrid conversion kit of claim 11 wherein the suspension assembly includes means for varying the force with which the auxiliary wheel is urged toward a ground surface.

14. A method of converting a pre-existing vehicle with an internal combustion engine to one capable of hybrid operation, said method comprising:

providing a frame assembly adapted to be connected to the vehicle, the frame assembly supporting an auxiliary wheel positioned to contact a ground surface;

providing a generator/motor connected to the auxiliary wheel;

providing an energy storage device; and

providing a controller connected to the energy storage device and to the generator/motor to direct energy from the energy storage device to the generator/motor and thence to the auxiliary wheel when the vehicle is accelerating or moving at a constant, non-zero speed and for causing the generator/motor to convert rotary motion of the auxiliary wheel into a different form of energy and to cause the energy so converted to be stored in the energy storage device as the vehicle decelerates.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein providing an energy storage device comprises providing a battery, and wherein providing a generator/motor comprises providing an electric motor.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein providing an energy storage device comprises providing a device configured for storing mechanical energy.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein providing the device for storing mechanical energy comprises providing an electric motor connected to a flywheel.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein providing the device for storing mechanical energy comprises providing a hydraulic generator/motor connected to a flywheel.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein providing the frame assembly comprises the frame assembly supporting two auxiliary wheels.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein providing the generator/motor comprises providing at least two separate generator/motors, respective ones of said generators/motors being connected to respective ones of the auxiliary wheels.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein providing the generator/motor comprises connecting the generator/motor to both of the two auxiliary wheels.

22. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing a suspension assembly to resiliently bias the auxiliary wheel against a ground surface.