Electrically Assisted Cycle Kit

• US 20130311020A1
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Modern Times Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Modern Times Ltd.
• Inventors: Searles, Mark Aubrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,272,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/50 characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

An electrically assisted cycle kit 50 for fitting to a pedal cycle 2 comprises an electric motor 58 for assisting pedal cycle motion, a battery 52 for powering the motor 58, and a controller 60 for controlling the drive of the motor 58. A gear tooth sensor 65 provides a gear motion signal indicative of the speed/acceleration of motion of gear teeth 94 and valleys 95 of a gear sprocket 32 of the cycle. The controller controls the drive of the motor 58 in dependence on the gear motion signal.

Claims

1. An electrically assisted cycle kit for fitting to a pedal cycle, the kit comprising:

an electric motor for assisting pedal cycle motion of the pedal cycle;

a battery for powering the electric motor;

a gear tooth sensor for providing a gear motion signal indicative of at least one of a speed of motion and an acceleration of motion of gear teeth and valleys of a gear sprocket of the pedal cycle relative to the gear tooth sensor; and

a controller for controlling the drive of the electric motor in dependence on the gear motion signal provided by the gear tooth sensor.

2. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, wherein the gear tooth sensor comprises a magnetic sensor for sensing ferrous gear teeth of the rear sprocket.

3. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the drive speed of the electric motor in dependence on the gear motion signal provided by the gear tooth sensor.

4. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, wherein the gear tooth sensor is configured to provide a gear motion signal which is indicative of a direction of rotation of the rear sprocket;

and

the controller is configured to control the drive of the electric motor in dependence on the direction of rotation indicated by the gear motion signal.

5. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 4, wherein the gear tooth sensor comprises at least a first sensor and a second sensor spaced apart from one another for sensing motion of the gear teeth and valleys of the rear sprocket;

and

the controller is configured to detect the direction of rotation of the rear sprocket based on the sensing of the at least two sensors.

6. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the drive of the electric motor in dependence on whether at least a given proportion of instances of the at least one of the speed of motion and the acceleration of motion meet a start or stop condition.

7. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine a speed of the pedal cycle from the gear motion signal.

8. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the drive of the electric motor in response to detecting that the speed of the pedal cycle has risen to a threshold speed.

9. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine a number of teeth of the gear sprocket corresponding to a full rotation of a rotating element of the pedal cycle;

and

the controller is configured to determine a speed of the pedal cycle in dependence on the gear motion signal and the number of teeth of the gear sprocket.

10. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to determine the number of teeth based on:

(i) motor data provided by the electric motor;

or

(ii) a proximity signal provided by a proximity sensor.

11. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, comprising a sensor attachment for attaching the gear tooth sensor to the pedal cycle to sense motion of the gear teeth and valleys of a rear sprocket of the pedal cycle.

12. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, comprising a sensor attachment for attaching the gear tooth sensor to a chain stay or rear axle of the pedal cycle.

13. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 1, comprising a sensor attachment for attaching the gear tooth sensor to the pedal cycle, wherein the sensor attachment comprises:

a sensor housing configured to house the gear tooth sensor;

a support platform for attaching to the frame of the pedal cycle; and

a support arm for connecting the sensor housing to the support platform.

14. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 13, wherein the sensor attachment comprises a plurality of gripping members having a gripping surface for gripping the frame.

15. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 14, wherein at least the gripping surface of the gripping members is made from a slip-resistant material.

16. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 13, wherein the sensor attachment comprises a retaining mechanism configured to resist displacement of the sensor housing to retain the sensor housing in an in-use position.

17. The electrically assisted cycle kit according to claim 13, wherein the sensor housing is coupled to the support arm via a joining portion allowing the sensor housing to be rotated relative to the support arm about at least two different axes of rotation.

18. A pedal cycle fitted with an electrically assisted cycle it according to claim 1.

19. A method of fitting an electrically assisted cycle kit to a pedal cycle, the method comprising:

attaching an electric motor to the pedal cycle for assisting pedal cycle motion of the pedal cycle;

attaching a gear tooth sensor to the pedal cycle for providing a gear motion signal indicative of at least one of a speed of motion and an acceleration of motion of gear teeth and valleys of a gear sprocket of the pedal cycle relative to the gear tooth sensor;

attaching a controller to the pedal cycle and connecting the controller to the electric motor and the gear tooth sensor for controlling the drive of the electric motor in dependence on the gear motion signal provided by the gear tooth sensor; and

attaching a battery to the pedal cycle and connecting the battery for powering the electric motor, the gear tooth sensor and the controller.

20. An attachment for attaching an object to a pedal cycle, comprising a support platform for attaching to a frame of the pedal cycle, wherein the object is connectable to the support platform;

wherein the support platform comprises a plurality of gripping members, the gripping members having a gripping surface for gripping the frame of the pedal cycle and a non-gripping surface comprising a groove for accommodating a securing strap.