DRIVE UNIT FOR AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE

• US 20200136462A1
• Filed: 10/29/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WERNER WIRTH GmbH
• Original Assignee: WERNER WIRTH GmbH
• Inventors: Hoppner, Sven
• Granted Patent: US 11,031,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/00 Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/40 Rider propelled cycles with auxiliary electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/55 power-driven at crank shafts parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/712 co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit H01R12/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/718 Contact members provided on the PCB without an insulating housing contacts for abutting H01R12/714
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/75 connecting to cables except for flat or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/92 Holders formed as intermediate parts for distributing energy in parallel through two or more counterparts at least one of which is attached to apparatus to be held
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/945 Holders with built-in electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/0094 Structural association with other electrical or electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2211/03 Machines characterised by circuit boards, e.g. pcb
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132

Abstract

A drive unit for an electric bicycle with a drive housing and with a plug-in connector, wherein the plug-in connector is connected to the drive housing and wherein the plug-in connector includes a plurality of connector contacts and a plurality of plug contacts. The plug-in connector includes a circuit board. A distribution conductor track, which provides an electrical contact between a first number of connector contacts and a different second number of plug contacts, is formed on the circuit board.

Claims

1. A drive unit for an electric bicycle with a drive housing (46) and with a plug-in connector (48), wherein the plug-in connector (48) is connected to the drive housing (46) and wherein the plug-in connector (48) includes a plurality of connector contacts (35) and a plurality of plug contacts (22), wherein the plug-in connector comprises a circuit board (27) and wherein a distribution conductor track (36) is formed on the circuit board that provides an electrical contact between a first number of connector contacts (35) and a second number of plug contacts (22), wherein the first number is different from the second number.

2. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector (48) comprises a flange (16) by which a housing body (50) of the plug-in connector (48) is mounted inside the drive housing (46).

3. The drive unit of claim 2, wherein the connector contacts (35) are connected to components (47, 48) in an interior of the drive housing (46) and that the plug contacts (22) are accessible from an exterior of the drive housing (46).

4. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector comprises a plurality of connector sockets (18, 23), wherein each connector socket (18, 23) is designed to receive an electrical connector.

5. The drive unit of claim 4, wherein each connector socket (18, 23) includes a plurality of plug contacts (22).

6. The drive unit of claim 4, wherein a connector contact (35) is electrically connected to plug contacts (22) of more than one connector socket (18, 23).

7. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the circuit board (27) includes one or more single conducting tracks (36) that connect exactly one connector contact (35) to exactly one plug contact (22).

8. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the circuit board (27) has a top and an underside and is equipped with conductor tracks (36, 37) on the top and the underside that provide an electrical connection between one or more connector contacts (35) and one or more plug contacts (22).

9. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector (48) includes a housing (30, 31) at least partially surrounding the circuit board (27), and the connector contacts (35) extend to an exterior of said housing (30, 31.

10. The drive unit of claim 9, wherein each of the connector contacts (35) are connected by a cable (38) to the circuit board (27), and the cables (38) extend from an interior of the housing (30, 31) to the exterior of said housing (30, 31).

11. The drive unit of claim 9, wherein a section (43) of the circuit board (27) protrudes from the housing (30, 31, 32) and the connector contacts (35) are arranged on the outwardly protruding section (43) of the circuit board (27).

12. The drive unit of claim 11, wherein the connector contacts (35) are designed as a socket strip (40) on the circuit board (27).

13. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the plug contacts (22) are elements of the circuit board (27).

14. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein a housing of the plug-in connector (48) is formed by encapsulating a unit formed from a housing front part (31) and the circuit board (27).

15. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the circuit board (27) is provided with a Bluetooth module (28) or an LED.