Dispensing unit for an electric bicycle

Abstract

A distribution unit (2) for an electric bicycle (4) is shown, wherein the distribution unit (2) is configured to be arranged in an upper tube (6) of the bicycle (4), wherein the distribution unit (2) has a control device (10) and a power interface (12), wherein the distribution unit (2) can be power-connected to a battery (14) of the bicycle (4) via the power interface (12), wherein the distribution unit (2) can be power-connected to an electrical consumer (16) via the power interface (12), and wherein the control device (10) is designed to control the supply of electrical energy of the battery (14) to the electrical consumer (16) via the distribution unit (2) in accordance with a control signal. Furthermore, a bicycle (4) having such a distribution unit (2) is shown.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field relates to a distribution unit for electric bicycles, and an electric bicycle having such a distribution unit. Background Technology

[0002] Electric bicycles are known from existing technology. In addition to a battery and a drive unit (which includes a drive motor and a motor control device), electric bicycles also have additional power consumption devices. The drive unit supplies electrical energy from the battery to the power consumption devices through the control and supply of the motor control device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a distribution unit for an electric bicycle. The distribution unit is configured to be arranged in the top tube of the bicycle. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit may be configured to be arranged in any tube of the bicycle frame, such as the seat tube or down tube. The distribution unit may be configured to be arranged in the top tube of the bicycle during assembly of the electric bicycle. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit may be configured to be arranged in the top tube of the bicycle after assembly and subsequently. In other words, the distribution unit may be configured as a retrofittable unit.

[0004] The distribution unit has a control device and a power interface. The control device may have a memory storing implementation code, and the control device can be designed to operate using this implementation code. By setting the implementation code in the control device's memory, the distribution unit can operate independently of other units of the electric bicycle. The distribution unit may have more than one power interface.

[0005] The distribution unit can be connected to the bicycle's battery via a power interface. For example, the power interface may have a slot in the distribution unit into which a plug containing a battery cable can be inserted. The battery may be mounted on or within the bicycle frame and may be designed to supply power to the bicycle's drive unit. The distribution unit can be connected to power-consuming devices via the power interface. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit can be connected to power-consuming devices via a separate power interface. The distribution unit can be connected to more than one power-consuming device. A power-consuming device can be at least one of a headlight, taillight, gearshift, and acoustic signal generator. The acoustic signal generator can be a bell, such as an electric bell, horn, or signal generator. The power connection can be a current connection. In other words, there may be a current connection from the battery through the distribution unit to the power-consuming device.

[0006] The control device is designed to control the supply of battery power to power devices via a distribution unit according to a control signal. The control device can be designed to determine the control signal. The control device can be designed to supply battery power to power devices according to the control signal, wherein the distribution unit may, for example, have a transformer controllable by the control signal. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can be designed to send a control signal to the power device. Here, the power device can be designed to independently request battery power via the distribution unit according to the control signal. Controlling the supply to the power device can include turning the power device on or off, and reducing or increasing the energy supply to the power device.

[0007] Advantageously, a distribution unit for an electric bicycle is provided, wherein one or more power consumers can be centrally supplied with battery power through the distribution unit. Thus, the various current connections and power connections between the battery and the distribution unit are sufficient to connect multiple power consumers to the battery and supply them with battery power. Since the distribution unit is arranged in the top tube, it is easily accessible, especially during maintenance or repair. Therefore, the power connection between the distribution unit and the power consumers can be replaced without altering the power connection between the distribution unit and the battery. This is particularly advantageous if the connection between the distribution unit and the battery is located inside the bicycle frame and is therefore difficult to access. Furthermore, this eliminates the need for multiple wiring connections between power consumers and the battery, thereby saving space in the bicycle frame. This space can, for example, be used to house the battery.

[0008] According to another embodiment, the control device can be designed to read acceleration data. The acceleration data may include the acceleration data of the bicycle, particularly the acceleration data of the distribution unit. The acceleration data can be detected using an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor may be arranged in the distribution unit. Alternatively or additionally, the acceleration sensor or other acceleration sensors may be arranged on the bicycle and outside the distribution unit, for example, on a spring element, such as a spring fork or rear wheel spring, on the handlebars, or on the drive unit. The acceleration data may include information about linear acceleration, and alternatively or additionally, include information about the rotational acceleration of the distribution unit or the bicycle. The control device can be designed to control the power consumption device based on a control signal according to the acceleration data. For this purpose, the control device can be designed to determine the control signal based on the acceleration data. For example, the control device can be designed to control the taillight, which is a power consumption device, based on the acceleration data. Thus, in the event of a strong deceleration due to braking by the bicycle user, the taillight can be controlled by the control device based on the detected acceleration data, causing the taillight to flash or illuminate red. Furthermore, the control device can be designed to detect unwanted acceleration of the bicycle, such as in the event of a theft attempt or a tip-over. The control device can be designed to responsively manipulate the power supply in response to this. Thus, in the event of a theft attempt, all lights and acoustic signal generators can be activated, and in the event of a tip-over, the control device can be designed to issue an emergency call signal via a radio interface. Additionally, the acceleration data can contain information about the environmental terrain, and therefore information about the environmental slope. The control device can be designed to manipulate the drive unit, which acts as the power supply, based on the slope. Therefore, for example, the support power applied by the drive unit can be increased by the control device at greater slopes. Advantageously, the distribution unit can be designed to respond to changes in relative motion with respect to the environment and control the power supply accordingly.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the distribution unit may have a charging interface for a mobile terminal device. The charging interface may have a plug connection. Alternatively or additionally, the charging interface may have an inductive connection interface. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile terminal device may be force-locked and detachably connected to the charging interface via a force-locking connection. For example, this can be achieved by a magnet in the charging interface and alternatively or additionally in the mobile terminal device. Either the charging interface or the mobile terminal device may also have only a magnetizable material, such as iron, for the force-locking connection. This can be achieved by the magnet being attracted to the corresponding part. The mobile terminal device may be, for example, a user's smartphone. The distribution unit may be designed to charge the mobile terminal device with battery power via the charging interface. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit may be designed to charge the battery with the power of the mobile terminal device via the charging interface. Therefore, advantageously, the distribution of electrical energy by means of the distribution unit can also be performed between the user's mobile terminal device and the bicycle.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the distribution unit may have a data interface for a mobile terminal device. The data interface may form an interface together with a charging interface, such as a USB port. Alternatively or additionally, the data interface may have a radio interface. The distribution unit may be designed to receive data from the mobile terminal device via the data interface. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit may be designed to send data to the mobile terminal device via the data interface. The control device may be designed to read the data received from the mobile terminal device. The data received from the mobile terminal device may, for example, include user requests. User requests may, for example, be input by the user through an application on the mobile terminal device. The control device may be designed to control power consumption based on control signals according to the read data.

[0011] For example, the control unit can be designed to send the bicycle's battery charging status to a mobile terminal via a data interface. The mobile terminal device can display the charging status to the user on its screen. The user can then respond by indicating the priority of the devices to be supplied. This information can be received by the distribution unit via the data interface and read by the control unit. Subsequently, the control unit can be designed to determine control signals such that, for example, power is primarily supplied to the headlights, and energy is not supplied to other devices due to the low battery charging status and user input. This user-defined priority of the devices to be supplied can directly affect and improve the user's riding experience. Furthermore, the control unit can be designed to send a signal to the mobile terminal device in the event of a rollover detected by acceleration data, allowing the mobile terminal device to be used as a radio interface for issuing emergency calls. Additionally, the control unit can be designed to transmit data to the cloud via this radio interface, which can be comprised of a mobile terminal device. This can be time-triggered or event-triggered, for example, in the event of a malfunction. The data transmitted to the cloud can be used as fleet data for data analysis of systemic malfunctions of the distribution unit or bicycles. Furthermore, the control device can be designed to receive software updates via a data interface. Here, the control device can be designed to rely on software updates to operate power consumers. Therefore, after a software update, power consumers, such as drive units, can be operated through a different allocation unit compared to before the software update.

[0012] According to another implementation, the distribution unit may have a user interface. The user interface may have input mechanisms and, alternatively or additionally, output mechanisms. For example, the user interface may have a touch display, speaker, buttons, and, alternatively or additionally, physical buttons. A distribution unit with such a user interface can be presented as a Core-HMI, a core human-machine interface. The user interface can be designed to detect user input. For example, the previously discussed priorities can be implemented directly on the distribution unit by the user through user input via the user interface. The control device can be designed to read the detected user input and control power consumption devices according to control signals based on the user input. For example, the user can turn the headlights and taillights, which are power consumption devices, on and off via the user interface. The supply to all power consumption devices and the supply of battery power to the drive unit can be turned on and off via the user interface. Furthermore, the support power (also known as power level) can be adjusted by the user via the user interface. Additionally, Bluetooth pairing with a mobile terminal device can be established by the user manipulating button combinations using input mechanisms, such as buttons. For example, a data connection can be established between the distribution unit and the mobile terminal device. Furthermore, the user interface may have an acoustic output mechanism, and additionally or alternatively, a visual output mechanism as an output mechanism. The acoustic output mechanism may have a speaker or sound generator. The visual output mechanism may have a display, such as a touch display, and alternatively or additionally, LEDs. The control device may be designed to communicate the battery charging status, appliance fault codes, and optionally or additionally, the distribution unit fault codes to the user via the output mechanism.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the distribution unit may have a data interface designed to communicate with other components of the electric bicycle. The data interface may be integrated with the power interface of the distribution unit. The distribution unit may have more than one data interface for communicating with more than one component. Other components may be, for example, a drive unit, a battery, or one or more power consumers. The control device may be designed to read data from other components of the electric bicycle via the data interface. The control device may actively query this data from other components. Alternatively or additionally, the component may actively send data to the control device, for example, in a time-triggered or event-triggered manner. In particular, the component may trigger the transmission of data to the control device when a new data value exists. The control device may be designed to control power consumers based on data-dependent control signals. For example, a charging state sensor may send information about the battery's charging state to the distribution unit. Thus, the control device may be designed to determine control signals based on the received data about the battery's charging state and thereby manipulate the power consumers, enabling the distribution unit to supply all power consumers to be supplied using the battery's current charging state.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a bicycle having a distribution unit according to embodiments of previous aspects of the invention. For example, the bicycle may be a power-assisted bicycle, an electric mountain bike, or an electric freight bicycle.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the bicycle can be equipped with a bicycle frame with a top tube, a battery, a drive unit, and power supplies. In addition to the top tube, the bicycle frame may also have a seat tube and a down tube. The battery can be arranged in the bicycle frame, particularly in the seat tube, and alternatively or additionally in the down tube. The drive unit can be arranged at the transition between the seat tube and the down tube. The bicycle can have more than one power supply. For example, the bicycle can have a headlight, taillight, bell, and gear shifter as power supplies. A distribution unit can be arranged in the top tube. In particular, the distribution unit can be arranged in the direction of travel at the front of the top tube and near the connection between the top tube and the down tube. The distribution unit can be arranged in the top tube such that the user interface of the distribution unit points upwards and towards the user sitting on the bicycle.

[0016] The power consumer can be indirectly connected to the battery via a distribution unit. In other words, the power consumer can be directly connected to the distribution unit, and the distribution unit can be directly connected to the battery. The drive unit can be directly connected to the battery. Starting from the lowest point of the frame, the drive unit can be positioned at the transition from the seat tube to the down tube. Therefore, the battery can be directly connected to it and positioned higher in the down tube. The distribution unit can be directly connected to it and positioned higher in the bicycle frame, more precisely, in the top tube. The headlight, which serves as a power consumer, can be directly connected to the distribution unit and, for example, positioned on the handlebars.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the first cable can be guided from the power consumer to the distribution unit. Alternatively, multiple first cables can be guided from multiple power consumers to the distribution unit. Thus, the first cable can be guided from an acoustic signal generator, such as a bell, horn, or sound generator, to the distribution unit, and additional first cables can be guided from the headlight to the distribution unit. Especially when the power consumer is located on the handlebars, the first cable from the power consumer to the distribution unit can be constructed to be relatively short and easily accessible for maintenance and repair purposes.

[0018] The second cable can be routed from the distribution unit to the battery. Specifically, the second cable can be thicker in cross-section than each of the first cables to allow for the transmission of total electrical energy used to power devices connected to the distribution unit. The second cable can be installed entirely within and routed within the bicycle frame. The third cable can be routed from the battery to the drive unit. The third cable can be entirely arranged and installed within the bicycle frame, particularly in the lower portion of the downtube. The first, second, and third cables can simultaneously be power cables and data cables.

[0019] Therefore, it is advantageous to show a bicycle in which the power consumption device can be replaced or added particularly easily, because the first cable can be easily replaced or added, and just so happens that it is not necessary to replace or add the cable that runs directly from the power consumption device to the drive unit.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the drive unit has a drive motor and a motor control device. The motor control device can be designed to control the drive motor. In particular, the motor control device can be designed to control only the drive motor. In particular, the third cable can be only a power cable and not a data cable, thus making it impossible to control the power consumption device via the motor control device.

[0021] Therefore, it is advantageous to demonstrate a bicycle in which the power consumption can be controlled by a distribution unit without relying on a motor control device. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1a The distribution unit according to the embodiment is shown in a perspective view from above.

[0023] Figure 1b The distribution unit according to the embodiment is shown in the perspective view below.

[0024] Figure 2 The illustration schematically shows the distribution unit and other components connected thereto according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 An electric bicycle with a distribution unit in the top tube according to an embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1a and 1b The distribution unit 2 according to the embodiment is shown in perspective view. The distribution unit 2 is designed to be arranged in... Figure 3The electric bicycle 4 shown is housed in the top tube 6. The electric bicycle 4 is equipped with a bicycle frame 7 having the top tube 6. The electric bicycle 4 has a drive unit 30, which is arranged at the transition from the seat tube to the down tube of the bicycle frame 7. The electric bicycle 4 has a battery 14, which is arranged in the down tube of the bicycle frame 7. The battery 14 and the drive unit 30 are connected via a third cable 32c. The battery 14 and the distribution unit 2 are connected via a second cable 32b. The second and third cables 32b and 32c are installed in the down tube of the bicycle frame 7 and are difficult to access. The distribution unit 2 is arranged near the transition from the down tube to the top tube 6 of the bicycle frame 7. The electric bicycle 4 has a headlight that serves as a power consumer 16. The power consumer 16 is directly connected to the distribution unit 2 via a first cable 32a. The first cable 32a is easily accessible, and removal of the distribution unit 2 is sufficient to loosen the first cable 32b from the distribution unit 2 and remove it from the bicycle 4.

[0027] Allocation unit 2 has in Figure 1a The user interface 8 is shown in the figure. The user interface 8 is a touch display, and the touch display is arranged on the top tube 6 so that the user sitting on the bicycle 4 can directly access the user interface 8. Figure 1b The power interface 12 of the distribution unit 2 is illustrated as an example. Figure 2 As shown, the distribution unit 2 is directly connected to the battery 14 and the power consumer 16 via the power interface 12. The distribution unit 2 has the following features: Figure 2 The control device 10 is shown schematically. The control device 10 is designed to control the power supply to the consumer 16 powered by the battery 14. To this end, the control device 10 is designed to determine a control signal and use the control signal to control the supply.

[0028] The distribution unit 2 also includes an acceleration sensor 18. The acceleration sensor 18 is connected to the control device 10, enabling the control device 10 to read the data detected by the acceleration sensor 18. Here, the control device 10 is designed to rely on the acceleration data to determine the control signal for controlling the power consumption 16.

[0029] The distribution unit 2 also has a charging interface 20. The charging interface 20 is configured as an inductive charging interface and is designed to charge the mobile terminal device 22 using the electrical energy of the battery 14. Here, the charging interface 20 is arranged in the distribution unit 2, thereby enabling charging of the mobile terminal device 22 located on the user interface 8 (in...). Figure 1a (As shown in the image) The mobile terminal device 22 is being charged nearby. For this purpose, the distribution unit 2 and, in particular, the control device 10 are designed to control the charging of the mobile terminal device 22.

[0030] Furthermore, the distribution unit 2 has a data interface 24. The data interface 24 is configured as a radio interface and designed to communicate with the mobile terminal device 22. The control device 10 is designed to detect and read data from the mobile terminal device 22 via the data interface 24, and, based on this data, control the power consumer 16 according to a control signal to be determined. Therefore, it is possible for the user to input user requests via the mobile terminal device, thereby, for example, turning the headlight, which is the power consumer 16, on or off.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, user input for turning the headlights, which are power consumers 16, on or off is implemented via user interface 8. Here, control device 10 is designed to determine the control signal for controlling power consumer 16 based on user input via user interface 8.

[0032] Furthermore, the distribution unit 2 has a data interface 26. Other components 28 of the electric bicycle 4 include, for example, a state-of-charge sensor for determining the state of charge of the battery 14. The control device 10 is designed to control the headlight 16, which is a power consumer, based on data about the state of charge of the battery 14 detected by the component 28, which acts as the state-of-charge sensor. Therefore, the control device 10 is designed to dim the headlight 16, which is a power consumer, and thus limit the power consumption of the power consumer 16 when the state of charge of the battery 14 is low.

[0033] from Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, a continuous current connection is provided from the drive unit 30 via the battery 14 and further via the distribution unit 2 to the power consumer 16. Therefore, a direct current connection is not required, for example, via a separate cable from the power consumer 16 to the drive unit 30. Since the power consumer 16 and the first cable 32a are more accessible than the cables 32b and 32c, it is easier to replace or maintain the first cable 32a and the power consumer 16.

[0034] List of reference numerals

[0035] 2. Allocation Unit

[0036] 4. Electric bicycles

[0037] 6 top tube

[0038] 7. Bicycle frame

[0039] 8 User Interface

[0040] 10. Control device

[0041] 12 Power Interfaces

[0042] 14 batteries

[0043] 16 power consumption devices

[0044] 18 Accelerometers

[0045] 20 charging ports

[0046] 22 Mobile terminal devices

[0047] 24 Data Interface

[0048] 26 Data Interface

[0049] 28 Other components of an electric bicycle

[0050] 30 drive units

[0051] 32a First Cable

[0052] 32b Second Cable

[0053] 32c Third Cable

Claims

1. A distribution unit (2) for an electric bicycle (4), wherein, The distribution unit (2) is configured to be arranged in the top tube (6) of the bicycle (4), wherein the distribution unit (2) has a control device (10) and a power interface (12), wherein the distribution unit (2) can be powered connected to the battery (14) of the bicycle (4) via the power interface (12), wherein the distribution unit (2) can be powered connected to the power consumer (16) via the power interface (12), and wherein the control device (10) is designed to control the electrical energy supplied to the power consumer (16) of the battery (14) via the distribution unit (2) according to a control signal, wherein the distribution unit (2) has a charging interface (20) for a mobile terminal device (22), and the distribution unit (2) is designed to charge the mobile terminal device (22) with the electrical energy of the battery (14) via the charging interface (20), wherein the charging interface (20) has a magnet for a force-locking connection with the mobile terminal device.

2. The allocation unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The control device (10) is designed to read acceleration data detected by the acceleration sensor (18), and wherein the control device (10) is designed to control the power consumption device (16) according to the control signal based on the acceleration data.

3. The allocation unit (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The allocation unit (2) has a data interface (24) for a mobile terminal device (22), and wherein the allocation unit (2) is designed to receive data from the mobile terminal device (22) via the data interface (24), and wherein the control device (10) is designed to read the data received from the mobile terminal device (22) and control the power consumption device (16) according to the control signal based on the read data.

4. The allocation unit (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The allocation unit (2) has a user interface (8), wherein the user interface (8) is designed to detect user input, and the control device (10) is designed to read the detected user input and control the power consumption device (16) according to the control signal based on the user input.

5. The allocation unit (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distribution unit (2) has a data interface (26) designed to communicate with another component (28) of the electric bicycle (4), and wherein the control device (10) is designed to read data from the other component (28) of the electric bicycle (4) via the data interface (26), and wherein the control device (10) is designed to control the power consumption device (16) according to the control signal based on the data.

6. A bicycle (4) having a distribution unit (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The bicycle (4) according to claim 6, wherein the bicycle is equipped with a bicycle frame (7) having a top tube (6), a battery (14), a drive unit (30), and a power consumer (16), wherein, The distribution unit (2) is arranged in the upper tube (6), wherein the battery (14) is arranged in the bicycle frame (7), and wherein the power consumer (16) is indirectly connected to the battery (14) via the distribution unit (2), and the drive unit (30) is directly connected to the battery (14).

8. The bicycle (4) according to claim 7, wherein, A first cable (32a) is led from the power consumer (16) to the distribution unit (2), and a second cable (32b) is led from the distribution unit to the battery (14), and a third cable (32c) is led from the battery (14) to the drive unit (30).

9. The bicycle (4) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The drive unit (30) has a drive motor and a motor control device, wherein the motor control device is designed to control the drive motor.

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