Device and method for regulating the assistance power of an electric power-assisted bicycle

• US 9,896,154 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2014
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie générale des établissements Michelin
• Original Assignee: Compagnie générale des établissements Michelin
• Inventors: Modolo, Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weeks, Martin A
• Application Number:
  US14/908,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20160167732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• 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: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/44 by parameter estimation
• 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 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/45 Control or actuating devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/50 characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof
• 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 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A device is provided for regulating an assistance power of a bicycle fitted with an electrical power assistance machine. The device includes a rotation-sense detector, a speed sensor, and a central electronic controller. The detector is arranged to detect a sense of rotation of pedals of the bicycle. The speed sensor is arranged to measure a speed of a wheel of the bicycle. The central electronic controller is configured to calculate a total power of the bicycle from the measured speed, and to determine a power setpoint of an electric motor from the calculated total power, the sense of rotation of the pedals, and a power assistance factor selected by a cyclist of the bicycle. A method for regulating an assistance power of an electric power-assisted bicycle also is provided.

Claims

1. A device for regulating an assistance power of a bicycle fitted with an electrical power assistance machine, the device comprising:

a rotation-sense detector arranged to detect a sense of rotation of pedals of the bicycle;

a speed sensor arranged to measure a speed of a wheel of the bicycle;

a central electronic controller arranged to calculate a total power of the bicycle from the speed, and to determine a power setpoint of an electric motor from the total power, the sense of rotation of the pedals, and a power assistance factor selected by a cyclist of the bicycle, and

a speed adjustor or a torque adjustor arranged to control the electric motor as a function of the power setpoint determined by the central electronic controller.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a gradient sensor arranged to determine a gradient of a road on which the bicycle is travelling, the gradient being used to calculate the total power of the bicycle.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the gradient sensor includes an inertial platform equipped with an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation-sense detector includes two magnetic sensors, each of the two magnetic sensors being arranged to interact with at least one magnet fitted to a chainset of the pedals.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the speed sensor includes a magnetic sensor arranged to interact with at least one magnet fitted to the wheel.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power selector arranged to enable the cyclist to select a power assistance mode; and

a transmitter arranged to transmit the power assistance mode selected by the cyclist to the central electronic controller as the power assistance factor.

7. A method for regulating an assistance power of a bicycle fitted with an electrical power assistance machine, the method comprising:

utilizing a rotation-sense detector of the electrical power assistance machine to detect a sense of rotation of pedals of the bicycle;

utilizing a speed sensor of the electrical power assistance machine to measure a wheel speed of a wheel of the bicycle;

utilizing a central electronic controller of the electrical power assistance machine to calculate a total power of the bicycle as a function of the sense of rotation, the wheel speed, and a set of predetermined parameters, and to determine a power setpoint of an electric motor of the electrical power assistance machine as a function of the total power of the bicycle, the sense of rotation of the pedals, and a predetermined power assistance factor selected by a cyclist of the bicycle, and

utilizing a speed adjustor or a torque adjustor to control the electric motor as a function of the power setpoint determined by the central electronic controller.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising determining an angle of the bicycle, the angle representing a gradient of a ground surface on which the bicycle is travelling.