Versatile electric bicycle systems

• US 8,738,212 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2014
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Civilized Cycles Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Civilized Cycles Incorporated
• Inventors: Schieffelin, Zachary
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): NELSON, SARA J
• Application Number:
  US14/178,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20140163797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 105 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 475/149, 475/155, 318/1, 318/2, 318/139, 180/218, 180/220, 180/205.1, 1802061-2068, 180/65.1, 180/65.51, 211/4, 211/5, 211/26
• US Class Current: 701/22
• 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 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/12 related to parameters of the vehicle itself , e.g. tyre models
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 9/23 above or alongside the rear wheel B62J9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/40 Rider propelled cycles with auxiliary electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/45 Control or actuating devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/90 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/01 Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/00 Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units program control for peripheral devices G06F13/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

The disclosure herein provides systems for a versatile electric bicycle that is configured to be easily adapted to accommodate various needs and requirements. In certain embodiments, the foregoing may provide features and/or models that are configured to be easily adapted to accommodate parts of varying dimensions, different seating configurations, and/or particular laws and regulations of different jurisdictions.

Claims

1. An electronically-configurable electric bicycle comprising:

a bicycle frame;

an electric motor connected to the bicycle frame, the electric motor configured to convert electrical power stored in a battery into forward motion of the electric bicycle;

a pedal and crank assembly mechanically coupled to the bicycle frame, the pedal and crank assembly configured to convert a user input force into forward motion of the electric bicycle;

an electric bicycle computing unit connected to the electric motor, the electric bicycle computing unit configured to control performance characteristics of the electric motor based at least partially on a user selection of an operational mode; and

a cradle mechanically coupled to the bicycle frame and shaped to removably hold a mobile computing device, the cradle positioned to enable the mobile computing device to be visible to the user while riding the electric bicycle, the cradle comprising a data port configured to connect the mobile computing device to the electric bicycle computing unit,

wherein the mobile computing device is configured to receive from the user the user selection of the operational mode and to transmit to the electric bicycle computing unit the user selection of the operational mode, the operational mode selected from a plurality of available operational modes comprising at least a bicycle mode and a pedal assist mode,

wherein the electric bicycle computing unit is configured to, based on selection of the bicycle mode, disable output of the electric motor to enable the electric bicycle to be driven solely by the user operating the pedal and crank assembly,

wherein the electric bicycle computing unit is configured to, based on selection of the pedal assist mode, enable controlled output of the electric motor to enable the electric bicycle to be driven simultaneously by the electric motor and by the user operating the pedal and crank assembly,

wherein the mobile computing device is further configured to access a regulations database to determine a maximum power output regulation data of a first jurisdiction encompassing a current location of the electric bicycle, wherein the current location of the electric bicycle is determined by the mobile computing device comprising a global positioning system, the mobile computing device is configured to analyze the maximum power output regulation data and the user selection of the operational mode of the electric bicycle to determine if the maximum power output regulation data is applicable, the mobile computing device, based on the determining that the maximum power output regulation data is applicable, is configured to dynamically generate instructions, for transmission to the electric bicycle computing unit, to limit a maximum power output of the electric motor to comply with the maximum power output regulation data.

2. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein

in response to the mobile computing device detecting a change in the current location of the electric bicycle causing the current location to be encompassed by a second jurisdiction different from the first jurisdiction,

the mobile computing device is configured to automatically access the regulations database to determine a second maximum power output regulation data of the second jurisdiction, to analyze the second maximum power output regulation data and the user selection of the operational mode of the electric bicycle to determine if the second maximum power output regulation data is applicable, and to dynamically generate instructions, for transmission to the electric bicycle computing unit, to limit the maximum power output of the electric motor to comply with the seconds maximum power output regulation data.

3. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to communicate with a main computing system which maintains the regulations database to determine the maximum power output regulation data of the first jurisdiction encompassing the current location of the electric bicycle.

4. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the current location of the electric bicycle is automatically determined, without any user input, based on location information provided by the global positioning system of the mobile computing device.

5. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of available operational modes further comprises a power on demand mode, wherein the electric bicycle computing unit is configured to, based on selection of the power on demand mode, enable controlled output of the electric motor based on a throttle input from the user.

6. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device is further configured to enable the user to specify one or more control parameters for controlling the electric bicycle, said one or more control parameters being one or more of (i) the operational mode, (ii) a power output of the motor, (iii) a top speed of the electric bicycle, (iv) a maximum torque of the motor, and (v) a brake ON or OFF status.

7. The electric bicycle of claim 6, wherein

when the one or more control parameters specified by the user comprises at least one of a top speed and a maximum power output,

the electric bicycle computing unit is configured to prevent the electric bicycle from exceeding each of said at least one of the top speed and the maximum power output.

8. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the electric bicycle computing unit further comprises:

a power control module for controlling the power output of the motor of the electric bicycle;

a speed detection module for detecting a current speed of the electric bicycle; and

a battery level detection module for monitoring a current battery level by communicating with one or more battery sensors.

9. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device is further configured to enable the user to select an off-road-only mode of operation, and

in a case that the off-road-only mode is selected, the electric bicycle computing unit is configured to allow the motor of the electric bicycle to perform in an uninhibited manner.

10. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the electric bicycle computing unit unlocks the electric bicycle when a valid connection is established between the electric bicycle computing unit and the mobile computing device, and locks the electric bicycle when the valid connection is terminated.

11. A computer-implemented method for controlling an electric bicycle having a motor, the computer-implemented method comprising:

determining, using a global positioning system of a mobile computing device, a current location of the electric bicycle, the current location being part of a first jurisdiction having a set of electric bicycle regulations;

accessing, using the mobile computing device, in an electronic database, maximum power output regulation data relating to the set of electric bicycle regulations;

analyzing, using the mobile computing device, the maximum power output regulation data and a current configuration of the electric bicycle to determine if the maximum power output regulation data is applicable;

determining, using the mobile computing device, based on the maximum power output regulation data, a maximum allowable power output of the electric bicycle;

generating instructions for transmission to an electronic bicycle computing unit, using the mobile computing device, based on the determining that the maximum power output regulation data is applicable, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the electronic bicycle computing unit to limit a maximum power output of the motor to comply with the maximum power output regulation data; and

transmitting electronically, from the mobile computing device to the electronic bicycle computing unit, the instructions;

wherein the mobile computing device comprises a computer processor and an electronic memory.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:

periodically updating, using the global positioning system of the mobile computing device, the current location of the electric bicycle.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, using the mobile computing device, a user-specified value for a control parameter of the electric bicycle, the control parameter comprising one of a power output of the motor, a torque of the motor, and a speed of the electric bicycle, the user-specified value being lower than a maximum allowable value for said control parameter; and

transmitting instructions, from the mobile computing device to the electronic bicycle computing unit, causing the electronic bicycle computing unit to limit the control parameter to the user-specified value.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, using the mobile computing device, user specification of a riding mode specifying an intended behavior of the electric bicycle;

transmitting instructions, from the mobile computing device to the electronic bicycle computing unit, causing the electronic bicycle computing unit to turn off the motor of the electric bicycle, such that the electric bicycle is driven solely by pedaling, or transmitting instructions, from the mobile computing device to the electronic bicycle computing unit, causing the electronic bicycle computing unit to limit performance of the motor of the electric bicycle to conform with an electric bicycle class regulation of the first jurisdiction, in a case that the specified riding mode is a bicycle mode;

transmitting instructions, from the mobile computing device to the electronic bicycle computing unit, causing the electronic bicycle computing unit to limit the performance of the motor of the electric bicycle to conform with a moped or limited use vehicle class regulation of the first jurisdiction, in a case that the specified riding mode is a moped mode; and

transmitting instructions, from the mobile computing device to the electronic bicycle computing unit, causing the electronic bicycle computing unit to allow the motor of the electric bicycle, in a case that the specified riding mode is an off-road-only mode, to perform in an uninhibited manner regardless of the set of electric bicycle regulations of the first jurisdiction.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting, using the mobile computing device, a change of the current location of the electric bicycle from the first jurisdiction to a second jurisdiction having another set of electric bicycle regulations;

determining, using the mobile computing device, based on said another set of electric bicycle regulations of the second jurisdiction, a new maximum allowable power output;

generating new instructions for transmission to the electronic bicycle computing unit, using the mobile computing device, wherein the new instructions are configured to cause the electronic bicycle computing unit to limit the maximum power output of the motor to comply with the new maximum allowable power output; and

transmitting electronically, from the mobile computing device to the electronic bicycle computing unit, the new instructions.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 11,

wherein the electronic database comprises a set of electric bicycle regulations for each one of a plurality of jurisdictions.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, further comprising:

periodically updating, using the mobile computing device, the electronic database such that the set of electric bicycle regulations are up to date for each one of the plurality of jurisdictions.