Method for performing a quick start of a bicycle with an electric drive unit and control device

Abstract

A procedure for performing a quick start for a bicycle that can be propelled at least temporarily by muscle power and by the driving force of an electric drive unit is given, comprising the following steps: (S1) Querying a quick start request; and (S2) Detecting an activation state of a bicycle's braking system; (S4) Specifying a quick-start mode for the bicycle when a quick-start request is received and detecting the activation state of the bicycle's braking system. The procedure detects when the bicycle's quick-start mode is activated and, when the deactivation of the bicycle's braking system is detected, operates the electric drive unit to propel the bicycle with a predetermined drive force to perform a quick start.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for performing a quick start of a bicycle with an electric drive device. In particular, the invention relates to a method that is applied to a bicycle that can be operated at least temporarily with muscle power and with drive power from an electric drive device, for example, a pedelec or e-bike. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control device for implementing the method. Technical area

[0002] Bicycles with an electric drive system are well known. In particular, bicycles designed as e-bikes or pedelecs are used, where muscle power can be assisted by the electric drive system to operate the bicycle. In commercially available bicycles of this type, the drive power of the electric drive system is controlled by taking into account the operation of a crank mechanism on the bicycle.

[0003] DE 10 2020 215 391 A1 describes a generic method. Further methods are disclosed in DE 10 2021 213 537 A1 and JP 2005 - 153 843 A. Description of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an improved method for controlling a bicycle with an electric drive device. This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a control device according to claim 8. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] A method is specified for performing a quick start for a bicycle that can be driven at least temporarily by muscle power and by the drive force of an electric drive device, comprising the following steps: querying a quick start request; and detecting an activation state of a braking device of the bicycle; specifying a quick start mode for the bicycle when a quick start request is present and detecting the activation state of the braking device of the bicycle; detecting a deactivation of the braking device when the quick start mode for the bicycle is present, and operating the electric drive device for driving the bicycle with a predetermined drive force to perform a quick start when the deactivation of the braking device of the bicycle is detected.

[0006] The method is applicable to a bicycle configured as a pedelec or e-bike. In this case, the electric drive device is provided on the bicycle to apply drive power to a drive wheel of the bicycle. Furthermore, the bicycle can be equipped with a crank device into which the muscle power of a bicycle can be introduced and transferred to the drive wheel. Thus, with such a bicycle, the rider's muscle power can be supported by the drive power of the electric drive device under predetermined operating conditions.

[0007] The bicycle can have an electrical energy storage device from which electrical power can be supplied to the electric drive device in a controlled manner. The bicycle can be equipped with a braking device that can be actuated by a rider of the bicycle, for example, using a brake handle. An activation state of the braking device of the bicycle can be brought about by actuating the brake handle and lead to deceleration when the bicycle is in a riding state. The activation state of the braking device of the bicycle can lead to the bicycle being able to maintain its standstill when stationary. The quick start request can be specified by the rider of the bicycle. The quick start request refers to a request according to which the bicycle performs a quick start if further predetermined conditions are met.A quick start means that the bike is started from a standstill with a predetermined acceleration. This predetermined acceleration can be a relatively high acceleration.

[0008] A deactivation of the braking device occurs when the braking device is deactivated after the activation state of the braking device has occurred.

[0009] The braking system can be deactivated by a rider releasing or loosening a brake handle. Deactivating the braking system may release the bicycle's brakes, allowing the bicycle to move.

[0010] A corresponding detection device configured for detecting the activation or deactivation of the braking system can be provided. In particular, this detection device can be provided on a brake lever for actuating the bicycle's braking system in order to detect the various states of the brake lever and make them available for the method in the form of signals.

[0011] The electric drive device can be operated by a predetermined control device. For this purpose, a predetermined electrical power can be supplied to the electric drive device according to a demand, so that the electric drive device provides a predetermined drive force for driving the bicycle. The electric drive device can be operated to drive the bicycle with a predetermined drive force in such a way that a quick start can be performed, so that the bicycle starts from a standstill with a relatively high acceleration. According to the invention, the quick start can occur when the brake device of the bicycle is deactivated.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the predetermined drive force when operating the electric drive device for driving the bicycle with a predetermined drive force for performing a quick start can be a maximum drive force that can be delivered by the electric drive device. In particular, the predetermined drive force can be provided by operating the electric drive device at a corresponding rated power. It is possible to briefly operate the electric drive device above the corresponding rated power and in this way provide the maximum drive force that can be delivered by the electric drive device.

[0013] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the quick start mode is only specified after a predetermined time has elapsed after the detection of the presence of the activation state of the braking device. This ensures that the rider of the bicycle first specifies a quick start request and that the quick start mode is only specified when the braking device is put into the activation state by the rider. Since the quick start request is made by the rider via an input device that can be mounted on the bicycle, this can prevent the quick start mode from being specified immediately and the quick start from being executed unintentionally. Furthermore, this ensures that while the rider specifies the quick start request, the braking device must first be activated and then has sufficient time to prepare for the subsequent quick start.This measure also prevents accidental entry into fast startup mode.

[0014] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the quick start mode is only specified after a predetermined time has elapsed after the detection of the presence of the quick start request. This measure also prevents an unintentional specification of the quick start mode and an unintentional execution of the quick start.

[0015] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the speed of the bicycle is detected, wherein the quick start mode is only specified if the detected speed of the bicycle is not higher than a predetermined speed. For this purpose, a wheel speed sensor can be provided which, for example, detects a wheel speed of a wheel of the bicycle. Other sensors for detecting the speed of the bicycle are equally conceivable, as long as the speed of the bicycle can be deduced. According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the predetermined speed is zero. In this case, it can therefore be provided that the quick start mode is only specified when the bicycle is stationary.

[0016] Detecting an abort condition, wherein it is detected that an abort condition exists when a detected crank torque in the quick-start mode falls below a predetermined limit crank torque, wherein the quick-start mode is terminated if a abort condition for the quick-start mode exists and switched to a standard mode in which the electric drive device is operated to drive the bicycle for travel drive. Thus, the deactivation of the braking device, in particular the release of a brake handle actuated by the rider, forms the signal for initiating the quick start of the bicycle after the quick start mode has been specified. To limit the operating state in which the bicycle is operated during the quick start, an abort condition for the quick start is specified, which can be detected or specified accordingly.If the quick-start mode is aborted, it can be provided that the electric drive device is no longer operated with the maximum drive force that can be delivered by the electric drive device. Furthermore, it can be provided that after the quick-start mode has ended, a standard mode is specified in which the electric drive device is operated, for example, with the known relationship between the drive force delivered by the electric drive device and a crank speed or a crank torque.

[0017] In this case, the quick start is only carried out if the rider specifies a predetermined minimum crank torque with which the rider supports the drive of the bicycle during the quick start.

[0018] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that a termination condition exists if at least one of the following conditions is additionally met: The detected speed of the bicycle exceeds a predetermined limit in quick start mode. This measure prevents the bicycle from reaching an excessive speed that could compromise rider safety.

[0019] If the detected crank cadence falls below a predetermined cadence threshold in quick start mode, the quick start is only performed if it can be assumed that the rider is supporting the bike's operation with a minimum crank cadence.

[0020] If it is detected that after deactivating the braking system to initiate the quick start in quick start mode, the braking system is reactivated. This measure ensures that when the rider requests braking force, the quick start is immediately aborted by activating the braking system, allowing the bicycle to be braked according to the rider's wishes.

[0021] When a predetermined time has elapsed since the braking device was activated to initiate the quick start in quick start mode. This measure ensures that the quick start mode is limited to a predetermined time, for example, to prevent the charge level of an electrical energy storage device used to operate the electric drive device from being excessively drained. Alternatively, it can be provided that, in addition to or as an alternative to the elapsed time, the distance traveled is recorded, and when a predetermined distance is reached since the braking device is activated, a termination condition is specified.

[0022] Other termination conditions are conceivable, such as the detection of excessive slip on a drive wheel, if slip detection is provided, or the detection of excessive inclination of the bicycle, which can be detected, for example, by an inclination sensor and could possibly indicate a fall.

[0023] According to a further aspect, a control device is provided for a bicycle that can be driven at least temporarily by muscle power and by the drive force of an electric drive device. The control device has input interfaces for inputting signals for detecting an operating state of the bicycle and output interfaces for outputting signals for controlling the electric drive device, wherein the control device is configured to carry out the method with one or more of the features described above. The input interfaces for inputting signals can be connected to sensors that can detect, for example, the activation state of the braking device, the rotational speed of a wheel of the bicycle, the rotational speed of a crank device of the bicycle, and a torque with which the crank device is operated by the rider.The output interfaces for outputting signals can be connected to a correspondingly provided control device which supplies electrical power from the electrical energy storage device to the electrical drive device in accordance with the specifications.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the control device can be connected to an input device operable by a rider of the bicycle. The input device can enable input from the rider, with which the quick-start mode can be specified. For this purpose, the input device can have at least one button. The input device can be provided with a touch-sensitive display that additionally displays further information. For example, the time recorded after the presence of the activation state of the braking device was detected can be displayed on the input device; after this time has elapsed, the quick-start mode is specified. Short description of the characters

[0025] In the following, embodiments are explained based on the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic flow chart for setting the quick start mode before the quick start; and Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow chart for performing the quick start after specifying the quick start mode. Detailed description of embodiments

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram that is executed to specify a quick-start mode before the actual quick start. The method is repeated cyclically in a control device. The control device is provided on a bicycle (not shown) that is equipped with an electric drive device. Such bicycles are referred to as pedelecs or e-bikes. The drive force output by the electric drive device is combined with a drive force introduced into a crank device of the bicycle and transmitted to a drive wheel of the bicycle. Thus, the electric drive device acts to assist the drive force introduced into the crank device of the bicycle.

[0027] The control device in which the process of Fig. 1, has input interfaces for receiving signals and output interfaces for emitting signals. Sensors, in particular, are connected to the input interfaces. In this case, the bicycle has, in a known manner, a braking device comprising a brake linked to a wheel, which can be actuated via a brake handle provided on the steering wheel. A sensor for detecting actuation of the brake handle can be provided and connected to an input interface of the control device. Thus, a signal is made available to the control device that allows conclusions to be drawn about the activation state or deactivation of the bicycle's braking device.

[0028] Furthermore, a speed sensor is connected to an input interface of the control device, which can be used to detect a wheel speed, for example, of a front wheel of the bicycle. This provides the control device with a signal that can be used to detect the bicycle's speed or to determine whether the bicycle is stationary.

[0029] Furthermore, a crank speed sensor is connected to an input interface of the control device, which provides a signal relating to a crank speed to the control device. Additionally, a crank torque sensor is connected to an input interface of the control device, which provides a signal relating to a torque introduced into the crank device to the control device.

[0030] A signal for controlling the electric drive unit is transmitted via an output interface of the control device. This signal is used to adjust the drive force or drive power of the electric drive unit according to the specifications of the control device.

[0031] The following describes the Fig. 1 is explained. This assumes a situation in which the rider is operating the bicycle with a normal assistance function via the electric drive device, which is indicated by S5 in the method sequence. If the rider has not selected the quick-start mode, the bicycle is operated in a standard mode according to step S5. In the standard mode according to step S5, the bicycle is assisted by the electric drive device with a drive force that is in a predetermined relationship to a crank speed and a torque introduced into the crank device. Thus, according to step S5, a standard operation of a pedelec or e-bike is specified.

[0032] The starting point is also a situation in which the bicycle is stationary and the rider has activated the braking device by operating the brake lever. If the rider of the bicycle equipped with the electric drive system intends to start with the highest possible acceleration, as is the case, for example, when starting in connection with races, the rider selects the quick start mode on an input device provided on the bicycle. In step S1 in the Fig. The procedure shown in Figure 1 checks whether the quick start request is present.

[0033] If the query in step S1 reveals that a quick start request is present, an activation state of the bicycle's braking system is detected in step S2. For this purpose, the sensor provided for detecting actuation of the brake lever is queried. If step S2 reveals that the bicycle's braking system is not activated, the standard mode for the bicycle is further specified according to step S5. If step S2 reveals that the bicycle's braking system is activated, a timer that was started after the detection of the activation state of the braking system in step S2 is present is queried in the optional step S3. In step S3, a query is therefore made as to whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the activation state of the braking system.If it is detected in step S3 that the specified time has not yet elapsed, the query continues in step S3. If it is detected in step S3 that the specified time has elapsed, a quick start mode for the bicycle is specified in step S4.

[0034] The quick start mode specified in S4 therefore refers to a state in which the vehicle is stationary due to the activation of the braking system, which can be additionally confirmed by the bicycle's wheel speed sensor. In this case, the bicycle's standstill can be detected when the bicycle's wheel speed is zero and the braking system is activated at the same time.

[0035] Furthermore, in the quick start mode according to step S4, the bicycle is prepared for the quick start, which can be carried out with the method section described in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0036] As in Fig. 2, starting from step S4 in which the quick start mode for the bicycle is activated according to the sequence of Fig. 1, it is detected in step S6 whether the braking device is deactivated when the quick start mode for the bicycle is present. If it is determined in step S6 that the braking device has not been deactivated, the state remains in step S4, which forms the quick start mode in preparation for the actual quick start. If the deactivation of the braking device is detected in step S6, which can occur when the rider releases the bicycle's brake lever, the method continues via the query in step S7. The query in step S7 queries the existence of an abort condition for the potential quick start. If it is determined in S7 that no abort condition exists, the quick start is carried out according to step S8.In step S8, the electric drive device is operated to drive the bicycle with a predetermined drive force to perform the quick start, wherein the predetermined drive force is the maximum drive force that can be delivered by the electric drive device. If it is determined in step S7 that a termination condition exists, step S5 is executed, and the standard mode for operating the bicycle, as described above, is specified.

[0037] Thus, starting from the state in which the bicycle is stationary and the braking device is activated, after the quick start mode has been specified by the rider, the drive device can be operated with the maximum possible drive force by simply releasing the bicycle's brake lever and thus deactivating the braking device. The bicycle is then immediately driven with maximum propulsion by the electric drive device. With this procedure, the bicycle is accelerated by the high drive force of the electric drive device, so that the speed increases. In the present embodiment, it is provided that operation in quick start is aborted due to predetermined conditions. This takes place, as already stated above, in the query of step S7. The abort conditions queried in step S7 are presented below.

[0038] If the detected speed of the bicycle in quick start mode exceeds a predetermined limit speed, an abort condition is detected and thus the quick start is aborted according to step S8. The predetermined limit speed can be set taking into account a risk of falling or other aspects. Furthermore, an abort condition is detected if a detected crank cadence or crank speed in quick start mode falls below a predetermined cadence or limit crank speed. Since it is assumed, particularly in racing, that the rider wants to support the drive force delivered by the drive device as much as possible by also introducing drive force into the bicycle's crank, the abort condition is detected if the rider operates the crank at a speed lower than the predetermined crank speed.For this purpose, a low cadence can be permitted during the initial phase of the quick start, as the cadence will still be low when starting off. Similarly, an abort condition is detected if a detected crank torque in quick start mode falls below a predetermined limit crank torque. In this context, too, a low crank torque can be permitted during the initial phase of the quick start, as the crank torque will still be low when starting off. Furthermore, a abort condition exists if it is detected that after the braking device has been deactivated to initiate the quick start in quick start mode, the braking device is reactivated. This is particularly useful if the rider has to brake the bicycle during the quick start so that the braking device does not have to work against the drive of the drive device in quick start mode.Furthermore, a termination condition exists if a predetermined time has elapsed since the deactivation of the braking device to initiate the quick start in quick start mode. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that a termination condition is detected if a predetermined distance has been covered by the bicycle since the quick start was initiated. This measure can, in particular, take into account the fact that energy consumption during a quick start is significantly higher than in standard operation, so that the charge level of the energy storage device is protected by taking into account the riding time or distance traveled by the bicycle since the quick start was initiated.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the termination condition can be detected if one of the aforementioned conditions is met. In other embodiments, it is possible to define a combination of the aforementioned conditions as the termination condition. Relevant values ​​for determining the termination condition can be input.

[0040] In the event that an abort condition is detected in step S7, the standard operation is specified in step S5, whereupon the sequence of Fig. 2 ends and the initial state of the procedure is based on the sequence of Fig. 1 is specified.

[0041] In the aforementioned embodiment, it is defined that in quick-start mode, the electric drive device is operated with the maximum producible drive power during the actual quick start. In other embodiments, it is possible to specify the drive force output by the electric drive device during the quick start, for example, using the input device. Thus, the method described above is particularly useful for e-bikes, where a quick start can be advantageous, especially in racing. However, the method described above is also useful for the operation of e-bikes or pedelecs in everyday road traffic, for example when a quick start is desired when a traffic light turns green. For this purpose, the abort conditions discussed above can be adapted accordingly to the legal requirements for the operation of pedelecs or e-bikes on public roads. Reference symbol S1 queries quick start request S2 Detecting the activation state of the braking device S3 query timeout S4 Default Quick Start Mode S5 Default Standard Mode S6 Detecting deactivation of the braking device S7 Capture Termination Condition S8 Operating the electric drive device for quick start

Claims

[1] Method for carrying out a quick start for a bicycle which can be driven at least temporarily by muscle power and by the drive power of an electric drive device, comprising the following steps: (S1) querying a quick start request; and (S2) detecting an activation state of a braking device of the bicycle; (S4) Specifying a quick start mode for the bicycle when a quick start request is present and detecting the activation status of the bicycle's braking device, (S6) detecting deactivation of the braking device when the quick start mode for the bicycle is present, and (S8) Operating the electric drive device for driving the bicycle with a predetermined driving force to perform a quick start when the deactivation of the braking device of the bicycle is detected, characterized by Detecting (S7) a termination condition, wherein it is detected that a termination condition exists when a detected crank torque in the quick start mode falls below a predetermined limit crank torque, wherein the quick start mode is terminated when a termination condition for the quick start mode is present and switched to a standard mode in which the electric drive device is operated to drive the bicycle for a travel drive. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the predetermined driving force when operating (S8) the electric drive device for driving the bicycle with a predetermined driving force to carry out a quick start is a maximum driving force that can be delivered by the electric drive device. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized byQuerying (S3) a time elapsed after the detection of the presence of the activation state of the braking device, wherein the quick start mode is only specified after the elapse of a predetermined time after the detection of the presence of the activation state of the braking device. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the quick start mode is only specified after a predetermined time has elapsed after the detection of the quick start request. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the speed of the bicycle is detected, whereby the quick start mode is only specified if the detected speed of the bicycle is not higher than a predetermined speed. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that the predetermined speed is zero. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that when detecting (S7) a termination condition, it is detected that a termination condition exists if at least one of the following conditions is also met: - the detected speed of the bicycle exceeds a predetermined limit speed in quick start mode; - a detected crank cadence falls below a predetermined limit cadence in quick start mode; - if it is detected that after deactivation of the braking device to initiate the quick start in quick start mode, the braking device is reactivated; - when a predetermined time has elapsed since the braking device was deactivated to initiate the quick start in quick start mode; - if a predetermined distance has been covered in quick start mode since the braking device was deactivated to initiate the quick start. [8] Control device for a bicycle which can be driven at least temporarily by muscle power and by the drive force of an electric drive device, with input interfaces for inputting signals for detecting an operating state of the bicycle and output interfaces for outputting signals for controlling the electric drive device, wherein the control device is designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Control device according to claim 8, characterized by that the control device is connected to an input device that can be operated by a rider of the bicycle.

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