Variable resistance serial hybrid electric bicycle

• US 9,505,310 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2014
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kronfeld Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Rahtmobile, LLC
• Inventors: Kronfeld, Richard, Smith, Lyon, Bockin, Russell, Castellotti, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNS, HILARY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US14/300,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20140353055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2009 for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• 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 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/461 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 relating to electrical machines
• 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 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/16 responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 : Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2005/001 : Suspension details for cycles with three or more main road wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/00 : Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels cycle supports or stands equipped with additional wheels for ride stabilisation B62H1/12
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/08 : with steering devices acting on two or more wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/40 : Rider propelled cycles with auxiliary electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/60 : power-driven at axle parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/85 : Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/90 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A drivable exercise machine may include an electric vehicle with human power input provided by a high output, variable-resistancepedal-driven generator. The vehicle may include a computing device with a user interface that mimics an electric exercise bicycle. Using one or more program modes, a user may activate pre-set, custom and dynamic terrain-based exercise program profiles while commuting.

Claims

1. A wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle frame, configured to hold a user;

a battery, within the vehicle frame to store energy;

a pedal generator system, attached to the vehicle frame, the pedal generator system including pedals to interface with a user, and a generator configured to generate current for charging the battery, the pedal generator system configured to provide a variable resistance at the pedals;

a motor, connected to the battery configured to propel the wheeled vehicle;

a steering system, attached to the vehicle frame, configured to steer the wheeled vehicle during operation; and

a computing system, attached to the wheeled vehicle,

wherein the computing system is configured to provide a first user mode and a second user mode,

wherein the first user mode includes a pedal amplification mode configured to control vehicle speed and the second user mode includes an exercise mode configured to vary pedal resistance presented to the user such that the variable resistance is provided to the user independent of the motion of the vehicle in order to charge the battery and allow the motor to further propel the wheeled vehicle independent of the peddling of the user.

2. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second user modes use a control input based on rotational speed of the pedal drivetrain to vary pedal resistance presented to the user.

3. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second user modes use a control input based on torque exerted at the pedal to vary pedal resistance presented to the user.

4. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the motor includes a motor controller.

5. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a braking system configured to slow and stop the wheeled vehicle during operation.

6. The wheeled vehicle of claim 5, wherein the braking system includes the motor, and is configured to use the motor to provide regenerative braking, supplying current to charge the battery.

7. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wheeled vehicle is a serial hybrid electric bicycle.

8. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wheeled vehicle is a recumbent serial hybrid electric bicycle.

9. The wheeled vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first user mode uses a control input based on rotation speed of the pedal drivetrain to vary pedal resistance presented to the user.

10. The wheeled vehicle of claim 2, wherein the second user mode uses a control input based on rotation speed of the pedal drivetrain to vary pedal resistance presented to the user.

11. The wheeled vehicle of claim 3, wherein the first user mode uses a control input based on torque exerted at the pedal to vary pedal resistance presented to the user.

12. The wheeled vehicle of claim 3, wherein the second user mode uses a control input based on torque exerted at the pedal to vary pedal resistance presented to the user.

13. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pedal amplification mode is directly proportional to the speed of the wheeled vehicle.

14. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pedal amplification mode is indirectly proportional to the speed of the wheeled vehicle.

15. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a switch in communication with a controller, wherein the switch is configured to adjust a recharge load on the generator in response to a control input from the controller.

16. The wheeled vehicle of claim 15, wherein the switch is a dimmer switch.

17. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the control input from the motor controller is based on rotational speed of the pedal drivetrain.

18. The wheeled vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a servomotor in communication with the controller; and

a transmission including a gear shift mechanism in communication with the servomotor, the transmission coupled to the set of pedals and the generator,

wherein the servomotor is operable to activate the gear shift mechanism in response to a control input from the motor controller.

19. The wheeled vehicle of claim 18, wherein the variable resistance is achieved by varying the level of current transferred between the generator and the battery and varying the gear ratio of an infinitely variable in-hub bicycle transmission.

20. The wheeled vehicle of claim 18, wherein the control input from the motor controller is based on rotational speed of the pedal drivetrain.