659results about "Vehicle transmission" patented technology

A moving apparatus with a driving force assist mechanism traveled mainly by human power. This moving apparatus detects, in a non-contact manner, with respect to rotating portion such as traveling wheel, etc., rotation speed of the rotating portion to detect traveling state to deliver, from the driving force assist mechanism, assistant driving force corresponding to speed change information that a person who operates the moving apparatus intends to give on the basis of the detected traveling information to carry out traveling to thereby permit smooth traveling even in the case where traveling by only human power becomes difficult.

A device and method for equalizing the charge among a plurality of batteries redundantly driving a motor. The batteries are coupled to the motor through isolated windings and to each other through the drive shaft. The device senses the charge of the batteries and then controls the current from each of the batteries to its respective winding to equalize the charge. Related methods are provided to maximize the speed limit of a balancing transporter.

A class of transporters for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. Various embodiments have a motorized drive, mounted to the ground-contacting module that causes operation of the transporter in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered. Related methods are provided for determining the maximum operating speed of the transporter from measurement of battery parameters and transporter motor current and for limiting the speed of the transporter to maintain stability based on various sets of operationally imposed margins.

A hybrid drive mechanism for a wheel-driven vehicle. The drive mechanism has an electromotor with a rotor and a stator as a first drive source, with a first speed and a first torque, and a pedal drive as a second drive source, with a second speed and a second torque. The stator of the electromotor is positioned on an axle or shaft of the drive train between the pedal crank and the drive wheel, preferably on a wheel axis, in such a way that it can rotate. The stator can be coupled mechanically with the second drive source so that the stator is driven by the second drive source, and the rotor of the electromotor has a speed which corresponds to the sum of the first speed of the first drive and the second speed of the second drive.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and / or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and / or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

A bicycle has an electric motor and attached single or multiple sprockets, gears, chains, belts, shafts and mounting brackets. Outer sprockets are independently turned by either the motor or the pedals, and these outer sprockets then turn an inner sprocket which drives the drive chain and turns the rear wheel. Either the motor or the pedals, or both, may propel the bicycle. The vehicle also includes a means for detecting gear shifting and thereupon reducing power to the motor for a short time interval.

A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode containing a lithium-transition metal oxide having a layered crystal structure; a negative electrode containing a lithium-titanium composite oxide having a spinel structure; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode and the negative electrode satisfy the formula (1) given below:1.25≦X ,   (1)where X is a ratio of an available electric capacity, represented by “(B / A)”, A is an available electric capacity (mAh) at 25° C. per cm2 of the positive electrode, and B is an available electric capacity (mAh) at 25° C. per cm2 of the negative electrode.

A bicycle configured for communication with other bicycles, a centralized server, client computing devices and third party servers allows the rider to be connected with friends, coaches / trainers, and third party vendors including vendors associated with lodging, food, and other conveniences, vendors associated with bike servicing, equipment, warranties, and other bike related products and services, and vendors associated with routes, areas or destinations. Information may be communicated in real time or stored in memory and communicated to servers, client devices, other riders, etc., at a later date. Information may be communicated to the bike controller for route planning, service scheduling, training purposes and the like. Information communicated to or from the bicycle may be performed as indicated by the rider or there may be predetermined rules or guidelines for what information is collected and to whom the information may be sent to or received from.

An electrically assisted vehicle includes a vehicle body having a driving wheel driven by human driving power and electric driving power, a driving power applying section for applying the human driving power to drive the driving wheel, a torque detection section to detect the human driving power applied to the driving power applying section, a motor to auxiliarily drive the driving wheel by the electric driving power, a battery to supply power for the motor, and a control section to control the motor according to a result detected by the torque detection section, wherein the control section has a plurality of switchable assist modes relating to an assist ratio of the electric driving power to the human driving power.

A tricycle is driven by an electric motor supplied by batteries recharged by solar panels. Electric braking is used. The batteries and a battery charger are enclosed in a thermally insulated compartment and the batteries are kept warm in cold weather by the heat produced by the battery charger and by electric braking. The solar panels are mounted on the roof of the passenger cabin and / or on the insulated compartment and are oriented towards the sun by a stepper motor.

The present invention is a fully functioning two-wheel drive bicycle with a shock-absorbing front fork. The drive train which supplies power to the front wheel is incorporated into a modified frame and comprises a rear wheel driven by the traditional chain or shaft mechanism and the front wheel driven by a series of rigid shafts transferring power from the driven rear wheel to the front wheel. The drive train lengthens and shortens in parallel with the shock-absorbing front fork.

A hybrid bicycle is provided which can be manually propelled, but which includes a motor unit for also causing forward propulsion of the bicycle. The bicycle comprises manually operable pedals fixed for rotation with a pedal spindle for receiving a manually provided driving force and a motor having a shaft for receiving a motor provided driving force. A first torque transmission path is provided for transferring the manually provided driving force to a sprocket of the pedal driven apparatus and a second torque transmission path is provided for transferring the motor provided driving force to said sprocket of the pedal driven apparatus. A first one way drive means is also provided. This is provided in the first torque transmission path between the pedal spindle and the sprocket such that when the sprocket is being driven by the motor provided driving force through the second torque transmission path, the pedal spindle is able to freewheel. The second torque transmission path may include a gear mechanism mechanically coupling the motor shaft to the sprocket of the pedal driven apparatus. The gear mechanism has a reduction gear ratio and operates to transfer the motor provided driving force from the motor shaft to the sprocket at said reduction gear ratio. The motor may be arranged concentrically around a pedal spindle of the pedal driven apparatus such that the pedal spindle is freely accommodated through a hollow bore of the motor shaft and such that their axes of rotation are parallel and preferably co-incident.

A folding type bicycle capable of allowing the user to conveniently fold the bicycle, and having a minimal volume in a folded state is disclosed. The folding type bicycle includes a frame including a front frame, to which a front wheel and a handle are mounted, a center frame, to which pedals are mounted, and a rear frame, to which a rear wheel is mounted. At least one of the front, center, and rear frames includes a hinge plate bent from one end of the at least one frame. The front, center, and rear frames are pivotally coupled through the hinge plate.

A power supply system that supplies high-voltage power to a vehicle drive motor is provided to achieve reduction in size, weight and cost of power supply. The power supply system includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series. With the intermediate connection point of the battery modules as an electrical neutral point, power is supplied to a three-level inverter via a three-level-potential high-voltage power supply line having potentials of +150V and −150V relative to this neutral point. In the three-level inverter, direct-current electric power is converted into three-phase alternating-current electric power to drive an electric motor. Accordingly, the withstand-voltage performance required of control units or control elements connected to the high-voltage power supply line can be halved as compared with the related art, thereby allowing a reduction in the size, weight, and cost of the power supply system. Further, the electric power generated by a generator is converted into direct-current electric power by a three-level converter and supplied to the high-voltage power supply line to charge the battery modules.

A vehicle having multiple-wheel drive, wherein power is supplied by compact, lightweight hub motors located in each wheel hub, and wherein the hub motors are selectively controlled by a single throttle, and wherein the vehicle can operate between motorized, manually pedal-driven, and motor-assisted propulsion; and further has a multitude of operational modes such as hill-climbing, fuel efficient, and stealth modes.

An engine produces power, which is distributed by a power distribution device to an electric generator and a rear wheel. A motor produces power other than that produced by the engine to drive the rear wheel, and also functions as an electric generator. A control unit drives the electric generator and the motor using electricity from a battery to start up the engine. When starting up the engine, the control unit drives a decompression device provided in the engine to reduce the compression pressure inside a cylinder from the moment when cranking of the engine is started.

A power-assisted bicycle includes a torque detection mechanism system that is simple in structure, saves space, and is lightweight. A one-way clutch (72) for transmitting only rotation of the drive shaft (4) to the sprocket (70) in the direction in which the bicycle proceeds is disposed inside a hollow cylindrical portion (82) of the sprocket (70). On the sprocket face opposite thereto, a bearing (74) is engaged with an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion (82), and an elastic disc spring (76) holds the sprocket (70) with the aid of the bearing. The disc spring (76) is fixed to the bicycle body and a strain gauge (80) for detecting a stress deformation of the disc spring (76) is mounted on the surface thereof. As the drive shaft (4) is rotated by the aid of the pedaling torque, the one-way clutch (72) exerts an axially pressing force onto the sprocket (70) to deform the disc spring (76), and the strain gauge (80) detects the stress deformation of the disc spring (76) (that is, a physical parameter associated with the pedaling torque).

A power supply system that supplies high-voltage power to a vehicle drive motor is provided to achieve reduction in size, weight and cost of power supply. The power supply system includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series. With the intermediate connection point of the battery modules as an electrical neutral point, power is supplied to a three-level inverter via a three-level-potential high-voltage power supply line having potentials of +150V and −150V relative to this neutral point. In the three-level inverter, direct-current electric power is converted into three-phase alternating-current electric power to drive an electric motor. Accordingly, the withstand-voltage performance required of control units or control elements connected to the high-voltage power supply line can be halved as compared with the related art, thereby allowing a reduction in the size, weight, and cost of the power supply system. Further, the electric power generated by a generator is converted into direct-current electric power by a three-level converter and supplied to the high-voltage power supply line to charge the battery modules.

An integrated supplemental motor system for e-bikes incorporates a motor stator carried by a fixed axle with a torroidal cavity surrounding the axle. A motor rotor for interaction with the stator is supported by a motor casing rotatable on a plurality of bearings carried by the fixed axle. A torque member is concentrically carried within the torroidal cavity and has a first attachment engaged to a gear cluster for force input and a second resilient attachment for engagement to the motor casing. The torque member is urged by the gear cluster from a first no force position resiliently through a range of motion to a second maximum force position. A first element connected to the torque member has a set of first signal generation interfaces and a second element connected to the motor case has an equal set of second signal generation interfaces. The first and second signal generation interfaces are spaced in relation to the range of motion of the torque member. A sensor detects the consecutive first and second signal generation interfaces. A controller connected to the sensor receives a speed input and an effort input and provides a stator actuation current proportional to the spacing of the detected first and second signal generation interfaces.

An engine produces power, which is distributed by a power distribution device to an electric generator and a rear wheel. A motor produces power other than that produced by the engine to drive the rear wheel. A battery stores electricity generated by the electric generator and supplies electricity to the electric generator and the motor. A hybrid control unit (HCU) controls the engine, the electric generator and the motor. The HCU drives a decompression device provided in the engine to reduce the pressure inside an engine cylinder created while cranking the engine, in order to stop the engine.

A unidirectional rotating assembly, a bicycle powering mechanism, and a bicycle using the same are disclosed. The unidirectional rotating assembly allows a chainring to rotate while the crank and axle remains still. The bicycling powering mechanism combines the unidirectional rotating assembly with a powering device. The powering device is coupled to the unidirectional rotating assembly through a drive ring. This allows the powering device to drive the unidirectional assembly, thereby driving the chainring. When the bicycling power mechanism is part of a bike, the chainring is connected to the rear wheel of the bike through a chain and rear sprockets. Because of this, the bicycling powering mechanism can propel the bike while the cranks are stationary. Additionally, a person using a bike having this configuration is still able to shift gears. Thus, the bicycling power mechanism need not be designed with gearing. The unidirectional rotating assembly can also be applied to a multi-passenger bicycle for two or more individuals riding a bicycle together.

A power assist apparatus which includes a battery pack that connects with a motor housing with the battery pack being removably mounted on the frame of the bicycle and the motor housing being mounting on a mounting plate which is carried by one of the support wheels of the bicycle. The power assist apparatus is designed to not only assist in the manual operation of the bicycle but also as a sole source of power for the bicycle. The mounting plate is to be affixed to the frame of the bicycle upon the desired location being selected for the mounting plate. The motor assembly operates a drive gear, pulley or sprocket which connects to a driven gear, pulley or sprocket which is mounted in conjunction with one of the support wheels of the bicycle. The motor housing may be disconnectable from the mounting plate as also the battery pack is capable of being disengaged from the frame of the bicycle permitting the bicycle to be used as a conventional bicycle without the power assist apparatus. The motor assembly is indexed to the axle of the support wheel maintaining accurate alignment in all operating conditions and upon repeated engagements and disengagements of the support wheel from the bicycle frame.

The torque sensor for electric bicycle includes a five-way tube and a toothed wheel, as well as a turntable with raised teeth and fixed to the toothed wheel, two iron cores with wound coil fixed to the bicycle frame a steel magnet. The coils can send electric signal proportional directly to the bicycle speed to the control circuit, so that the control circuit controls the output power based on to the electric signal so as to reach the speed regulating and boosting effect.

A personal vehicle for transporting a user over a surface including an external combustion engine. The vehicle includes a generator for converting the mechanical energy produced by the external combustion engine to electrical energy and an energy storage device for storing power provided by the generator and for providing power to the external combustion engine and the assembly. The personal vehicle includes a controller for controlling a total power load placed on the external combustion engine providing short term regulation of external combustion engine parameters.

An electrically powered bicycle includes a hub motor, which is mounted to the bicycle frame by its axle. A drive sprocket mounted to the outer case of motor is engaged by a chain to the sprocket on a multi-speed hub on the rear wheel, so that when the motor turns, it drives the wheel. A freewheel, also mounted to the outer case of motor, is engaged by a chain to the large sprocket on the pedal crank, such that when the motor is operating, it does not turn the pedal sprocket. When the pedals and the motor are both operating and the sprocket on the freewheel is rotated as fast as the motor, the pedals can drive the motor, and consequently, the bicycle. An additional driven sprocket is mounted to the motor case and an additional freewheel is mounted to the multi-speed hub, and both are connected by a third chain so that when the bicycle is coasting (i.e., the motor is not driving the rear wheel), the rear wheel will drive the motor to provide downhill, regenerative braking capability.