Electric module, tire management system and tire status diagnosis method for bicycle

Abstract

An electric module for a bicycle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is equipped on a bicycle, the bicycle includes a pedal configured to generate rotational energy and a drive wheel configured to rotate by receiving power, the electric module includes: a pedal speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the pedal; a motor configured to rotate the drive wheel; a drive wheel speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the drive wheel; a control device configured to determine whether a tire is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal, the torque of the motor and the rotation speed of the drive wheel; and a user interface device configured to display the status information of the tire provided by the control device.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0136086 filed on October 13, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] One or more exemplary embodiments relate to an electric module for a bicycle, a tire management system for a bicycle equipped with the electric module for a bicycle, and a tire state diagnosis method of a bicycle. Background Art

[0004] Generally, as one of short-distance transportation means, bicycles have recently been widely used for exercise or hobbies to achieve purposes such as health, etc. Recently, in order to travel long distances or reduce the user's physical exertion, bicycles equipped with an electric module have become popular so that they can be driven by the driving force of a motor.

[0005] Therefore, the bicycle equipped with the electric module is configured to assist driving by using the power of the motor by detecting when the driver rotates the pedals by equipping a conventional bicycle that can only be moved by existing human power with the electric module including a battery and a motor. To this end, the electric module of the bicycle may further include a reducer for reducing the rotational force of the motor, a power transmission device for transmitting the rotational force output from the reducer to the wheels, and a control device for controlling them, in addition to the motor and the battery.

[0006] In addition, in an electric module for a bicycle, a user can operate and control the rotational force of the motor through a control device, but may further include a speed sensor installed to sense the rotational speed of the pedal, thereby more accurately controlling the operation of the motor by sensing the user's pedal force when riding on a slope such as uphill or downhill, or a torque sensor installed in the motor.

[0007] Furthermore, the electric module for bicycles can be divided into a pedal assist system (PAS) type and a throttle type according to the driving type.

[0008] In the PAS type, there are sensors on the pedals, etc., and when the user steps on the pedals, the sensors detect it, and then the motor runs. The PAS type is mainly designed to achieve step settings from low power support to high power support, which includes a speed sensor type that senses pedal rotation and transmits power, and a torque sensor type that senses pedal pressure, pedal rotation, and the number of revolutions. Although the speed sensor type is lower in price, there is a difference in driving feel. The torque sensor type recognizes the user's pedal torque, so as a bicycle, the difference is relatively small.

[0009] In the throttle type, the electric module is equipped on the handlebar in the form of a button or lever, and when activated, the bicycle moves like a motorcycle without rolling the pedals.

[0010] In addition, depending on the type of electric module to be equipped, a bicycle without a chain may appear, in which the force of the user's pedaling is converted into electrical energy by a generator connected to the pedals and stored in a battery, and the electrical energy stored in the battery rotates the motor, thereby moving the bicycle. A bicycle equipped with such an electric module can improve the acceleration performance of the bicycle by controlling the motor suitable for the driving environment, implement an automatic shifting function by adjusting the gear ratio between the rotation speed of the pedals and the rotation speed of the drive wheel, and amplify the force transmitted to the pedals by the user according to an intuitive ratio.

[0011] However, if the tires are damaged or worn, or if insufficient air pressure occurs while riding, it may cause a malfunction in the control of the electric module. In other words, there may be a situation where the bicycle does not operate normally. In this case, the actual torque of the motor will not be as large as the speed command value, which is the input value for controlling the motor, so it is difficult for the bicycle to perform its functions effectively, and it may put stress on the electric module. Summary of the invention

[0012] Exemplary embodiments provide an electric module for a bicycle and a bicycle tire management system capable of diagnosing a tire status.

[0013] Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments provide a tire condition diagnosis method of a bicycle capable of diagnosing a tire condition.

[0014] According to one aspect, there is provided an electric module for a bicycle equipped on a bicycle, the bicycle comprising a pedal configured to generate rotational energy and a drive wheel configured to rotate by receiving power, the electric module comprising: a pedal speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the pedal; a motor configured to rotate the drive wheel; a drive wheel speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the drive wheel; a control device configured to determine whether a tire is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal, the torque of the motor and the rotation speed of the drive wheel; and a user interface device configured to display status information of the tire provided by the control device.

[0015] The control device may be configured to estimate the air pressure of the tire by analyzing the rotation speed of the drive wheel relative to the torque of the motor according to the rotation speed of the pedal.

[0016] The control device may be configured to determine that an abnormality occurs in the tire when the estimated air pressure of the tire is outside a preset allowable pressure.

[0017] The control device may be configured to correct the torque of the motor according to the estimated change in the air pressure of the tire.

[0018] In addition, the control device can be configured to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the tire when a value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the drive wheel from the rotation speed of the pedal exceeds a preset reference speed while maintaining the maximum value of the torque of the motor for a preset first reference time.

[0019] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to control the user interface device to notify the fact that the tire abnormality has occurred when a preset second reference time has passed since the abnormality occurred.

[0020] According to another aspect, a bicycle tire management system is provided, the bicycle tire management system including an electric module for a bicycle, the electric module being equipped on a bicycle, the bicycle including a pedal configured to generate rotational energy and a drive wheel configured to rotate by receiving power, the electric module including: a pedal rotation speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the pedal; a motor configured to rotate the drive wheel; a drive wheel rotation speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the drive wheel; a control device configured to determine whether the tire is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal, the torque of the motor, and the rotation speed of the drive wheel; a modem terminal configured to transmit status information of the tire provided by the control device; a mobile terminal having an application installed thereon for managing a bicycle equipped with the electric module for a bicycle and displaying status information of the tire; and a cloud service configured to receive information transmitted by the modem terminal to update stored information, and transmit the updated information to the mobile terminal.

[0021] The cloud service may include a web application server configured to communicate with the modem terminal, a database server configured to integrate and store information collected by the web application server, and an application programming interface gateway for transmitting information stored in the database server to the mobile terminal.

[0022] The control device may be configured to estimate the air pressure of the tire by analyzing the rotation speed of the drive wheel relative to the torque of the motor according to the rotation speed of the pedal.

[0023] The control device may be configured to determine that an abnormality occurs in the tire when the estimated air pressure of the tire is outside a preset allowable pressure.

[0024] The control device may be configured to correct the torque of the electric motor according to the estimated change in tire pressure.

[0025] In addition, the control device can be configured to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the tire when a value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the drive wheel from the rotation speed of the pedal exceeds a preset reference speed while maintaining the maximum value of the torque of the motor for a preset first reference time.

[0026] The control device may be configured to transmit information indicating that the tire is in an abnormal state to the cloud service via the modem terminal when a preset second reference time has passed since the abnormality occurred in the tire.

[0027] The bicycle may further include a user interface device configured to display status information of the tire provided by the control device.

[0028] According to another aspect, a method for diagnosing a tire condition of a bicycle is provided, comprising: measuring a rotation speed of a pedal, measuring a rotation speed of a drive wheel, measuring a torque of a motor that rotates the drive wheel, determining whether the tire is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal, the rotation speed of the drive wheel and the torque of the motor, and alerting a user when an abnormality occurs in the tire.

[0029] The method may include estimating tire air pressure by analyzing a rotation speed of a driving wheel relative to a torque of a motor according to a rotation speed of a pedal, and determining that an abnormality occurs in the tire when the estimated tire air pressure is outside a preset allowable pressure.

[0030] In addition, determining whether the tire is abnormal may include: when the maximum value of the torque of the motor is maintained for a preset first reference time, when the value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the driving wheel from the rotation speed of the pedal exceeds a preset reference speed, determining that the tire is abnormal.

[0031] Alerting the user may include alerting the user of the fact that the tire abnormality has occurred when a preset second reference time has passed after it is determined that the tire abnormality has occurred.

[0032] Alerting the user may include transmitting information indicating that the tire is in an abnormal state to a cloud service, and transmitting the tire state information received by the cloud service to the mobile terminal.

[0033] According to the electric module of the bicycle and the bicycle tire management system of the exemplary embodiments, the status of the tire may be effectively diagnosed.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the tire condition diagnosis method of the bicycle of the exemplary embodiment, the condition of the tire can be effectively diagnosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle equipped with an electric module for a bicycle according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 It is shown by Figure 1 A configuration diagram of a system for diagnosing a tire condition of an electric module for a bicycle.

[0037] Figure 3is a flowchart illustrating a method of diagnosing a tire of a bicycle using an electric module for a bicycle according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 It is used to explain Figure 3 A diagram of a method of diagnosing a bicycle tire.

[0039] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a motor according to a state of a tire of a bicycle using an electric module for a bicycle according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a bicycle tire diagnostic system in accordance with a second example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of diagnosing a tire of a bicycle using a bicycle tire diagnostic system according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0043] 10: front frame 20: middle frame 30: rear frame

[0044] 12: front wheel 14: handlebar bracket 16: handlebar

[0045] 17: Handlebars 22: Pedals 24: Seat

[0046] 25: Seat tube 26: Seat tube 34: Rear wheel, drive wheel

[0047] 80: Tire 100: Bicycle 101: Bicycle Tire Management System

[0048] 201, 202: Electric module for bicycle 210: User interface device

[0049] 230: Pedal speed detector 250: Motor

[0050] 260: driving wheel speed detector 270: control device

[0051] 280: Generator 285: Battery 290: Modem terminal

[0052] 400: Cloud Service 420: Web Application Server

[0053] 430: Database server 450: Application programming interface gateway

[0054] 500: Mobile terminal DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms.

[0056] Furthermore, among the various exemplary embodiments, components having the same configuration are generally described using the same reference numerals in the first exemplary embodiment, and only the configuration different from the first exemplary embodiment is described in the second exemplary embodiment.

[0057] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. The relative sizes and proportions of the components in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced to make the drawings clear and convenient, and any dimensions are illustrative only and not restrictive. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to represent similar features of the same structure, element or component that appear in two or more figures.

[0058] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure specifically represent ideal embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, various modifications to the illustrations are contemplated. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to the specific shapes of the regions shown, and include, for example, modifications to the shapes through manufacturing.

[0059] Next, we will refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An electric module 201 for a bicycle according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0060] Figure 1 A bicycle 100 is exemplarily shown to which the electric module 201 for a bicycle according to the first example embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. Figure 1 A bicycle 100 without a chain is shown as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art may apply the electric module 201 for a bicycle according to the first example embodiment of the present disclosure to other bicycles driven by a chain through appropriate modifications and changes.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, the bicycle 100 to which the electric module 201 for a bicycle is applied may include a front frame 10 , a middle frame 20 , and a rear frame 30 .

[0062] The front frame 10 may include a front wheel 12 and a handle stay 14 to which a handle unit 13 is connected.

[0063] The handle unit 13 may include a handle stem 15 coupled to a lower end of a handle bracket 14 , a handle bar 16 coupled to the handle bracket 14 , and a handle stem 17 mounted on the handle bar 16 .

[0064] The handlebar grip 15 may be provided to adjust the height of the handle unit 13 , and the handlebar stem 16 may be provided to determine the steering of the bicycle.

[0065] In addition, the handle grip 17 is provided with a user interface device 210, which displays to the user the status of an electric module 201 for a bicycle equipped on the bicycle 100, which will be described later, and transmits the user's request to the control device 270 through a button or a display. The user interface device 210 may be electrically connected to the control device 270 through a wired or wireless connection. In addition, the information displayed by the user interface device 210 may include status information of the tire 80.

[0066] A generator 280 is provided at one end of the middle frame 20, and the pedals 22 may be rotatably mounted on both sides of the generator 280. When the user rotates the pedals 22, that is, when the pedals 22 generate rotational energy, the rotational energy of the pedals 22 is converted into electrical energy by the generator 280, and the electrical energy of the generator 280 may be stored in the battery 285 provided in the middle frame 20.

[0067] In addition, the middle frame 20 may further include a seat tube 25 for mounting the seat 24. The seat tube 25 is coupled to a seat tube 26 protruding from the rear of the middle frame 20 so as to be height-adjustable.

[0068] The rear wheel 34 is rotatably mounted to the end of the rear frame 30. A motor 250 that propels the bicycle 100 by rotationally driving the rear wheel 34 is provided at the center of the rear wheel 34. In other words, the rear wheel 34 becomes a driving wheel. However, the rear wheel 34 is not necessarily a driving wheel, and when the motor is provided on the front wheel 12, the front wheel 12 may be a driving wheel. Therefore, between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 34, the wheel that rotates by receiving power may be a driving wheel. Hereinafter, in this specification, the rear wheel 34 is referred to as a driving wheel.

[0069] Further, the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel as the driving wheel 34 each include a tire 80 .

[0070] On the other hand, the positions of the battery 285 and the control device 270 are not limited thereto, and may be built in the rear frame 30 instead of the middle frame 20 .

[0071] The electric module 201 for a bicycle according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned control device 270, the user interface device 210, the generator 280, and the battery 285. In addition, the electric module 201 for a bicycle further includes a pedal speed detector 230, a motor 250, and a driving wheel speed detector 260. The electric module 201 for a bicycle is equipped on the bicycle 100 to drive the bicycle using electric energy.

[0072] The pedal speed detector 230 can measure the speed of the pedal. For example, the pedal speed detector 230 can be installed on the rotating shaft of the pedal 22.

[0073] The driving wheel speed detector 260 may measure the speed of the driving wheel 34. For example, the driving wheel speed detector 260 may be mounted on a rotating shaft of the driving wheel 34.

[0074] Furthermore, in the first example embodiment of the present disclosure, the torque of the motor 250 may be measured by a torque sensor provided on the motor 250 , or may be indirectly calculated by measuring a current applied to the motor 250 .

[0075] The control device 270 may determine whether the tire 80 is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal 22 , the torque of the motor 250 , and the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34 .

[0076] Specifically, the control device 270 can estimate the air pressure of the tire 80 by analyzing the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34 relative to the torque of the motor 250 according to the rotation speed of the pedal 22. In addition, when the estimated air pressure of the tire 80 is outside the preset allowable pressure, the control device 270 can determine that the tire 80 is abnormal.

[0077] In addition, when the control device 270 detects that an abnormality occurs in the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 and the torque transmission efficiency of the motor 250 decreases, the system of the electric module 201 for a bicycle may be controlled so that an overcurrent does not flow.

[0078] In addition, the control device 270 can detect that the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 is completely loose to prevent malfunction, and notify the user that normal operation is no longer possible.

[0079] The user interface device 210 can display the status information of the tire 80 as described above provided by the control device 270. For example, the user interface device 210 can generate various forms of signals to display a warning to the user through the display or to let the user know that the air pressure of the tire 80 is outside the allowable range.

[0080] With this configuration, the electric module 201 for a bicycle according to the first example embodiment of the present disclosure can basically drive the bicycle 100 and effectively diagnose the state of the tire 80 .

[0081] In particular, the state of the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 can be effectively diagnosed without a separate pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the tire 80. And, by alerting the user, the user can take appropriate actions to ensure safety.

[0082] Specifically, when the air pressure of the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 decreases, the wear of the tire 80 increases and the ground resistance increases, so that a greater torque is required for traveling. In addition, since insufficient air pressure of the tire 80 may cause power loss of the electric module 201 for the bicycle and damage to the tube, it may cause a great risk to the rider when traveling. Therefore, it is important to detect the state of the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 to cope with the failure.

[0083] Therefore, in the first example embodiment of the present disclosure, the user is alerted to the danger caused by the drop in air pressure before the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 is damaged, and a dangerous accident can be prevented by performing a fault diagnosis in advance.

[0084] Next, we will refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 A method of diagnosing a state of a tire 80 of a bicycle 100 equipped with an electric module 201 for a bicycle according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0085] First, the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the driving wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250 may be measured. Here, the torque of the motor 250 may be measured using a torque sensor, or calculated using an applied current.

[0086] Next, whether the tire 80 is abnormal may be determined based on the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250. This determination is made by the control device 270.

[0087] Specifically, in the operation of determining whether the tire 80 is abnormal, when the value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the driving wheel 34 from the rotation speed of the pedal 22 exceeds the preset reference speed while maintaining the maximum value of the torque of the motor 250 for the preset first reference time, it is determined that the tire 80 is abnormal. Here, the occurrence of the abnormality of the tire 80 may be simply insufficient air pressure of the tire 80, or the tire 80 may be worn or damaged. Here, the first reference time and the reference speed may be determined according to the specifications and performance of the tire 80 and the motor 250 equipped on the bicycle 100.

[0088] Next, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the tire 80 , a warning may be given to the user. Such a warning to the user may be executed by the user interface device 210 under the control of the control device 270 .

[0089] Specifically, in the operation of warning the user, when it is determined that the tire 80 has an abnormality and the preset second reference time has passed, the user can be warned of the fact that the tire 80 has an abnormality. Here, the second reference time can be determined according to the specifications and performance of the tire 80 and the motor 250 equipped on the bicycle 100.

[0090] Therefore, the reason for setting a delay time before warning the user after determining the fact that an abnormality has occurred in the tire 80 is to filter out noise caused by measurement errors, because temporary errors may occur in the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250 measured according to the running situation of the bicycle 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from being frequently warned in unnecessary situations.

[0091] As described above, the tire status diagnosis method of the bicycle 100 can effectively diagnose the status of the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 by estimating the air pressure of the tire 80 by analyzing the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34 relative to the torque of the motor 250 based on the rotation speed of the pedal 22, and by determining that an abnormality has occurred in the tire 80 when the estimated air pressure of the tire 80 is outside the preset allowable pressure.

[0092] As a result of diagnosing the state of the tire 80, when the air pressure of the tire 80 is normal, the driving wheel 34 rotates at a constant speed according to the torque of the motor 250, but when the air pressure of the tire 80 is reduced, the rotation speed of the driving wheel cannot be normally maintained with respect to the torque of the motor 250 in proportion to the insufficient air pressure of the tire 80. In addition, when the driving wheel rotation speed is reduced, the error value increases due to the difference from the pedal rotation speed, and therefore when the current value applied to the motor 250 is increased to reduce the error value, the system load of the electric module 201 for the bicycle increases.

[0093] However, through the electric module 201 for a bicycle and the tire state diagnosis method of the bicycle 100 using the electric module 201 for a bicycle according to the first example embodiment of the present disclosure, even without a separate pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the tire 80, the user can diagnose the state of the tire 80 and make an appropriate response.

[0094] Furthermore, the electric module 201 for a bicycle according to the first example embodiment of the present disclosure not only diagnoses the state of the tire 80 and warns the user, but also corrects the torque of the motor 250 according to the air pressure of the tire 80 to reduce the user's discomfort.

[0095] Specifically, Figure 5As shown, the control device 270 can measure the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250, and estimate the air pressure of the tire 80 based on the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250. In addition, the control device 270 can correct the torque of the motor 250 according to the change of the estimated air pressure of the tire 80. In other words, when the estimated air pressure of the tire 80 is outside the preset allowable range, the torque of the motor 250 can be corrected. Here, the preset allowable range can be determined according to the specifications and performance of the tire 80.

[0096] As described above, by correcting the torque of the motor 250 according to the change in the air pressure of the tire 80, a power assist system (PAS) control technology can be implemented, in which the motor 250 provides appropriate torque according to the current air pressure of the tire 80 to reduce the difference feeling of the user when driving.

[0097] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 A bicycle tire management system 102 according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0098] like Figure 6 As shown, the bicycle tire management system 101 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a power module 202 for a bicycle, a cloud service 400 , and a mobile terminal 500 .

[0099] The electric module 202 for a bicycle used in the bicycle tire management system 101 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be equipped on the bicycle 100 like the electric module 201 of the first exemplary embodiment described above to drive the bicycle 100 by electric energy. Here, the bicycle 100 may include a pedal 22 that generates rotational energy, and a driving wheel 34 that rotates by receiving power.

[0100] The electric module 202 for a bicycle includes: a pedal speed detector 230 for measuring the speed of the pedal 22; a motor 250 for rotating the drive wheel 34; a drive wheel speed detector 260 for measuring the speed of the drive wheel 34; and a tire 80 ( Figure 1 and a modem terminal 290 for transmitting status information of the tire 80 provided by the control device 270.

[0101] The electric module 202 for a bicycle may further include a user interface device 210 .

[0102] In the mobile terminal 500, an application for managing the bicycle 100 and the electric module 202 for the bicycle and displaying the status information of the tire 80 can be installed. In other words, even when the user does not use the bicycle 100, the status information of the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 can be checked through the mobile terminal 500.

[0103] The cloud service 400 may receive information transmitted by the modem terminal 290 of the electric module 202 for a bicycle to update stored information, and transmit the updated information to the mobile terminal 500 .

[0104] Specifically, the cloud service 400 may include a network application server 420 that communicates with the modem terminal 290 of the electric module 202 for the bicycle, a database server 430 that integrates and stores information collected by the network application server 420, and an application programming interface (API) gateway 450 for transmitting the information stored in the database server 430 to the mobile terminal 500.

[0105] In the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the control device 270 of the electric module 202 for a bicycle can estimate the air pressure of the tire 80 by analyzing the rotation speed of the driving wheel 34 relative to the torque of the motor 250 according to the rotation speed of the pedal 22. In addition, when the estimated air pressure of the tire 80 is outside the preset allowable pressure, the control device 270 can determine that an abnormality occurs in the tire 80. In addition, the control device 270 can correct the torque of the motor 250 according to the change in the estimated air pressure of the tire 80.

[0106] Specifically, in the case where the maximum value of the torque of the motor 250 is maintained for a preset first reference time, when the value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the driving wheel 34 from the rotation speed of the pedal 22 exceeds a preset reference speed, the control device 270 of the electric module 202 for the bicycle may determine that an abnormality occurs in the tire 80. In addition, when a preset second reference time has passed in the case where the abnormality occurs in the tire 80, the control device 270 may transmit information indicating that the tire 80 is in an abnormal state to the cloud service 400 through the modem terminal 290. In addition, the cloud service 400 transmits the state information of the tire 80 to the mobile terminal 500 to notify or warn the user of the information.

[0107] Furthermore, in the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the user interface device 210 of the electric module 202 for a bicycle may display the status information of the tire 80 provided by the control device 270 .

[0108] With this configuration, the bicycle tire management system 101 according to the second example embodiment of the present disclosure can effectively diagnose the state of the tire 80. Furthermore, by alerting the user when an abnormality occurs in the tire 80, the user can take appropriate actions to ensure safety.

[0109] In particular, according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can not only check the status of the tire through the user interface device 210 while riding the bicycle 100 , but also remotely check the status of the tire 80 through the mobile terminal 500 even when away from the bicycle 100 .

[0110] Next, we will refer to Figure 7 A method for diagnosing a condition of a tire 80 of a bicycle 100 implemented using a bicycle tire management system 101 according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0111] First, the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the driving wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250 may be measured. Here, the torque of the motor 250 may be measured using a torque sensor, or calculated using an applied current.

[0112] Next, whether the tire 80 is abnormal may be determined based on the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250. This determination is made by the control device 270.

[0113] Specifically, in the operation of determining whether the tire 80 is abnormal, when the value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the driving wheel 34 from the rotation speed of the pedal 22 exceeds the preset reference speed while the maximum value of the torque of the motor 250 is maintained for the preset first reference time, it is determined that the tire 80 is abnormal. Here, the abnormality of the tire 80 may be simply insufficient air pressure of the tire 80, or the tire 80 may be worn or damaged. Here, the first reference time and the reference speed may be determined according to the specifications and performance of the tire 80 and the motor 250 equipped on the bicycle 100.

[0114] Next, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the tire 80 , a warning may be given to the user. Such a warning to the user may be executed by the user interface device 210 under the control of the control device 270 .

[0115] Specifically, in the operation of warning the user, when it is determined that the tire 80 has an abnormality and the preset second reference time has passed, the user can be warned of the fact that the tire 80 has an abnormality. Here, the second reference time can be determined according to the specifications and performance of the tire 80 and the motor 250 equipped on the bicycle 100.

[0116] Therefore, the reason for setting a delay time before warning the user after determining the fact that the tire 80 has an abnormality is to filter out noise caused by measurement errors, because temporary errors may occur in the rotation speed of the pedal 22, the rotation speed of the drive wheel 34, and the torque of the motor 250 measured according to the running situation of the bicycle 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from being frequently warned in unnecessary situations.

[0117] As described above, the tire status diagnosis method of the bicycle 100 can effectively diagnose the status of the tire 80 of the bicycle 100 by estimating the air pressure of the tire 80 by analyzing the rotation speed of the driving wheel 34 relative to the torque of the motor 250 based on the rotation speed of the pedal 22, and by determining that an abnormality occurs in the tire 80 when the estimated air pressure of the tire 80 is outside a preset allowable pressure.

[0118] Furthermore, in the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of alerting the user may include an operation of transmitting information indicating that the tire 80 is in an abnormal state to the cloud service 400 , and an operation of transmitting the state information of the tire 80 received by the cloud service 400 to the mobile terminal 500 .

[0119] Therefore, even in a state of being away from the bicycle 100 , the user can remotely check the state of the tire 80 through the mobile terminal 500 .

[0120] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present specification have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be implemented in other specific forms without modifying the technical ideas or basic features of the present disclosure.

[0121] Therefore, the above exemplary embodiments should not be understood as being restrictive in all aspects, but should be understood as illustrative. The scope of this specification is represented by the attached claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications resulting from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be understood to be included in the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. An electric module for a bicycle, the electric module being equipped on the bicycle, the bicycle comprising a pedal configured to generate rotational energy and a drive wheel configured to rotate by receiving power, the electric module include: a pedal speed detector configured to measure a rotation speed of the pedal; a motor configured to rotate the drive wheel; a driving wheel speed detector configured to measure the speed of the driving wheel; a control device configured to determine whether the tire is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal, the torque of the motor, and the rotation speed of the drive wheel; as well as a user interface device configured to display the status information of the tire provided by the control device, The control device is configured to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the tire when a value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the drive wheel from the rotation speed of the pedal exceeds a preset reference speed while maintaining the maximum value of the torque of the motor for a preset first reference time.

2. The electric module according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to control the user interface device to notify the fact that the tire has an abnormality when a preset second reference time has passed since the abnormality occurred.

3. A bicycle tire management system, include: An electric module for a bicycle, the electric module being equipped on the bicycle, the bicycle comprising a pedal configured to generate rotational energy and a drive wheel configured to rotate by receiving power, the electric module comprising: a pedal rotation speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the pedal; a motor configured to rotate the drive wheel; a drive wheel rotation speed detector configured to measure the rotation speed of the drive wheel; a control device configured to determine whether a tire is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal, the torque of the motor and the rotation speed of the drive wheel; and a modem terminal configured to transmit the status information of the tire provided by the control device; a mobile terminal having an application installed thereon for managing the bicycle equipped with the electric module for the bicycle and displaying status information of the tire; and a cloud service configured to receive information transmitted by the modem terminal to update stored information and transmit the updated information to the mobile terminal, The control device is configured to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the tire when a value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the drive wheel from the rotation speed of the pedal exceeds a preset reference speed while maintaining the maximum value of the torque of the motor for a preset first reference time.

4. The bicycle tire management system according to claim 3, wherein the cloud service include: a network application server configured to communicate with the modem terminal; a database server configured to consolidate and store information collected by the web application server; as well as An application programming interface gateway is used to transmit the information stored in the database server to the mobile terminal.

5. The bicycle tire management system according to claim 3, wherein the control device is configured to transmit information indicating that the tire is in an abnormal state to the cloud service through the modem terminal when a preset second reference time has passed since the abnormality of the tire occurred. 6 . The bicycle tire management system according to claim 3 , wherein the bicycle further comprises a user interface device configured to display the status information of the tire provided by the control device.

7. A method for diagnosing the tire condition of a bicycle, include: Measure the rotation speed of the pedals; Measure the rotation speed of the drive wheel; measuring the torque of the motor rotating the drive wheel; determining whether a tire is abnormal based on the rotation speed of the pedal, the rotation speed of the drive wheel, and the torque of the motor; and When the tire is abnormal, it warns the user. Determining whether the tire is abnormal includes: when the maximum value of the torque of the motor is maintained for a preset first reference time, when the value obtained by subtracting the rotation speed of the drive wheel from the rotation speed of the pedal exceeds a preset reference speed, determining that the tire is abnormal.

8. The method for diagnosing the tire condition of a bicycle according to claim 7, wherein the user is warned include: When a preset second reference time has elapsed after it is determined that the abnormality has occurred in the tire, the user is alerted to the fact that the abnormality has occurred in the tire.

9. The method for diagnosing the tire condition of a bicycle according to claim 7, wherein the user is warned include: transmitting information indicating that the tire is in an abnormal condition to a cloud service; and The tire status information received by the cloud service is transmitted to a mobile terminal.

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