Electric cycle

• US 9,815,520 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2016
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Figueroa, Benjamin Dueas, Dominguez Victorio, Luis Alfonso, Martinez Rivera, Haydee Guadalupe, Cruz Ramirez, Raciel, Juregui Ortiz, Ramn, Saavedra Roman, Jos Guillermo, Quintanar Melndez, Ana Laura, Menchaca Gonzalez, Daniel Amaury, Martinez Colin, Jos de Jess
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hau V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meyer, Jacob B
• Application Number:
  US15/359,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20170073041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/13 Bicycles; Tricycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 13/02 to a tandem
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 13/025 from two or more cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 13/04 to a tricycle
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 13/06 to a quadricycle, e.g. by coupling together two bicycles side by side
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 15/00 Collapsible or foldable cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2015/001 Frames adapted to be easily dismantled
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/02 Frames tandem frames B62K3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/55 power-driven at crank shafts parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/90 Batteries

Abstract

A kit for an electric cycle includes a powertrain module including a case, a battery disposed in the case, an electric motor in communication with the battery and disposed in the case, and a connecting port on the case. The kit includes a first module including a frame member configured to releasably engage the connecting port and a wheel rotatably connected to the frame member, a second module including a frame member configured to releasably engage the connecting port, and a releasable locking feature on the connecting port.

Claims

1. A powertrain module for an electric cycle comprising:

a case having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;

a battery disposed in the case;

an electric motor connected to the battery and disposed in the case;

a first connecting port on the first side and a second connecting port on the second side;

a releasable locking feature on each of the connecting ports; and

a set of pedals disposed through the case.

2. The powertrain module of claim 1, further comprising a seat supported on the case.

3. The powertrain module of claim 1, wherein the first side includes a third connecting port.

4. The powertrain module of claim 3, wherein the first and third connecting ports are spaced from each other along a vertical axis.

5. The powertrain module of claim 4, wherein the first side includes a fourth connecting port, with the first, third, and fourth connecting ports spaced from each other along the vertical axis.

6. The powertrain module of claim 1, wherein each of the releasable locking features is configured to releasably engage a frame member.

7. The powertrain module of claim 1, wherein the pedals are rotatably connected to the electric motor.

8. The powertrain module of claim 1, further comprising a transmission having a first end connected to the electric motor.

9. The powertrain module of claim 8, wherein the transmission has a second end connected to a wheel.

10. A powertrain module for an electric cycle comprising:

a case having a first side;

a first connecting port on the first side and a second connecting port on the first side;

a releasable locking feature on each of the connecting ports; and

a set of pedals disposed through the case;

wherein the first connecting port and the second connecting port face a common direction and are spaced from each other along a vertical axis.

11. The powertrain module of claim 10, further comprising a seat supported on the case.

12. The powertrain module of claim 10, wherein the powertrain module includes a third connecting port facing in the common direction, with the first, second, and third connecting ports spaced from each other along the vertical axis.

13. The powertrain module of claim 10, wherein the case includes a second side opposite the first side and a third connecting port disposed on the second side.

14. The powertrain module of claim 10, further comprising an electric motor disposed in the case.

15. The powertrain module of claim 14, further comprising a transmission having a first end connected to the electric motor.

16. The powertrain module of claim 15, wherein the transmission includes a second end connected to a wheel.

17. The powertrain module of claim 14, wherein the pedals are rotatably connected to the electric motor.

18. The powertrain module of claim 10, wherein each of the releasable locking features is configured to releasably engage a frame member.