A clutch crank assembly for a mid-drive motor

Abstract

This invention relates to a dedicated clutch chainring assembly for a mid-drive motor. This chainring assembly, used to control the speed of the mid-drive motor, includes a bottom bracket, a first crank, and a second crank. A first chainring is mounted on the bottom bracket, and a rotating component is concentrically mounted on the first chainring. A first spring is provided between the rotating component and the first chainring to generate rotational resistance and to reset the rotating component during rotation. The magnitude of the rotational resistance is positively correlated with the rotation angle of the rotating component. This invention modifies the chainring so that the teeth on the chainring can rotate, and achieves stepless control of the mid-drive motor based on pedaling force. It not only accurately and quickly identifies and responds to pedaling force, allowing the mid-drive motor to adjust accordingly and improve the riding experience, but also integrates sensors with the chainring, simplifying the vehicle's structure and size, making the vehicle more aesthetically pleasing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of crankcase technology, specifically relating to a clutch crankcase assembly for a mid-mounted motor. Background Technology

[0002] Electric-assisted bicycles can make cycling easier without changing the traditional way of riding. They solve the problem of the effort required to ride a bicycle, while retaining the fun of cycling. They allow enthusiasts to ride more smoothly, ordinary people to ride further, and people with poor physical fitness to also experience the joy of cycling.

[0003] It uses a torque sensor to detect the force applied by the rider when pedaling, and determines the appropriate power support based on the amount of effort exerted. However, the development of torque sensors and related systems involves certain technical hurdles. Several other sensors have also appeared on the market, such as rear axle dropout sensors, torsion spring sensors, and speed sensors, but these sensors are significantly different from torque sensors, so they are mostly used in low-end electric-assist bicycles.

[0004] The chainring in a power-assist bicycle is the intermediate component for power transmission, directly reflecting the force applied to the pedals. Improving the chainring to enable it to detect the pedaling force would directly increase the sensitivity of the sensor and reduce the number of components in the bicycle, thus presenting a significant market prospect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a clutch crank assembly specifically for a mid-drive motor in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] The present invention achieves the above objectives through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A clutch crank assembly for a mid-drive motor is used to control the speed of the mid-drive motor. It includes a central shaft, a first crank, and a second crank. A first disc is sleeved on the central shaft. A rotating component is concentrically mounted on the first disc. A first spring is provided between the rotating component and the first disc to generate rotational resistance when the rotating component rotates and to reset the rotating component. The magnitude of the rotational resistance is positively correlated with the rotation angle of the rotating component.

[0008] The first disk is provided with several rotating shafts along its circumference. The rotating shafts are provided with teeth. The ends of the teeth near the center of the first disk are all connected to the rotating component.

[0009] The first disk is equipped with a rotation module, a signal transmission module, and a power supply, which together form a first closed loop.

[0010] When the teeth rotate around their rotation center, they drive the rotating component to rotate. The rotating component drives the rotating module to rotate and generates an electrical signal that matches the rotation angle. The signal transmitting module sends the electrical signal to the controller of the mid-mounted motor, so that the controller controls the motor speed according to the electrical signal.

[0011] Preferably, the first disk has several through holes along its circumference;

[0012] The rotating component includes a connecting post located at the through hole. The two ends of the connecting post are respectively connected to a first ring and a second ring, which are concentrically arranged with the first disk. The teeth are connected to the first ring, and the rotating module is in contact with the second ring.

[0013] Preferably, the first disk is provided with a sliding groove, a slider is provided in the sliding groove, the rotating module is provided on the slider, and a second spring for controlling the position of the slider is provided between the slider and the first disk;

[0014] The second ring is provided with a limiting hole, a moving block is provided at the limiting hole, and a third spring is provided between the moving block and the central shaft;

[0015] As the rotational speed of disk number one increases, the slider moves along the slide groove, causing the rotating module to disengage from ring number two. Under the action of centrifugal force, the moving block approaches the rotating module and changes its distance from the center of ring number two as the rotational speed of ring number two changes. The displacement of the moving block causes the rotating module to rotate to control the rotational speed of the central motor.

[0016] The slider is equipped with a stop switch, which, together with the signal transmitting module and the power supply, forms a second closed loop. The stop switch is used to stop the operation of the mid-mounted motor.

[0017] Preferably, the first ring is provided with a plurality of guide grooves along its circumference, and the teeth are provided with guide posts that pass through the guide grooves so that the guide posts can move radially along the first ring within the guide grooves.

[0018] Preferably, the rotation module is a rotary switch.

[0019] Preferably, the rotating module is a Hall effect throttle.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0021] This invention modifies the crankset so that the teeth on the crankset can rotate and achieve stepless control of the mid-drive motor according to the pedaling force. It can not only accurately and quickly identify and respond to the pedaling force, allowing the mid-drive motor to adjust accordingly and thus improve the riding experience, but also integrate sensors with the crankset, simplifying the structure and size of the vehicle and making the vehicle more aesthetically pleasing. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second perspective structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the slider and disk number one in this invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the rotating module and the second ring in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Central shaft; 2. Crank 1; 3. Crank 2; 4. Disc 1; 5. Spring 1; 6. Shaft; 7. Gear; 8. Rotating module; 9. Through hole; 10. Connecting post; 11. Ring 1; 12. Ring 2; 13. Slide groove; 14. Slider; 15. Spring 2; 16. Limiting hole; 17. Moving block; 18. Spring 3. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present application will now be described in further detail. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments are only used to further illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present application based on the above application content.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a clutch crank assembly for a mid-drive motor is used to control the speed of a mid-drive motor with a signal receiver and controller. It includes a central shaft 1, a first crank 2 and a second crank 3. A first disc 4 is fixedly sleeved on the central shaft 1. The first disc 4 has several through holes 9 along its circumference. Rotating components are concentrically arranged on the first disc 4.

[0030] The rotating component includes a connecting post 10 that is movably disposed through the through hole 9, and the connecting post 10 can rotate along the axis of the first disk 4 at the through hole 9. A first ring 11 and a second ring 12, concentrically arranged with the first disk 4, are fixedly connected to both ends of the connecting post 10, respectively; that is, the first ring 11 and the second ring 12 can rotate concentrically relative to the first disk 4. A first spring 5 is provided between the first ring 11 and the first disk 4 to control the rotation angle of the first ring 11. Several guide grooves are provided on the first ring 11 along its circumference.

[0031] A plurality of rotating shafts 6 are provided on the first disc 4, which rotates circumferentially. Teeth 7 are fixed on the rotating shafts 6. The teeth 7 are used to mesh with the chain and can rotate when a force is applied to the chain. A guide post is provided at one end of the teeth near the center of the first disc 4, which passes through a guide groove so that the guide post can move radially along the first ring 11 in the guide groove. When the teeth 7 rotate, they drive the first ring 11 to rotate.

[0032] The first disk 4 is equipped with a rotation module 8, a signal transmitting module, and a power supply. These components form a first closed loop. The rotation module 8 is in tangential contact with the second ring 12, allowing it to rotate synchronously in the opposite direction when the second ring 12 rotates. The rotation module 8 is a rotary switch or a Hall effect lever, allowing for stepless adjustment of the electrical signal during rotation. It enables unidirectional reciprocating adjustment, and after reaching the maximum setting, it can be rotated to the minimum setting. The power supply uses a lithium battery and requires periodic charging.

[0033] It should be noted that when the user starts the vehicle or needs to accelerate, the force exerted by tooth 7 on the chain increases, resulting in a reaction force from the chain on tooth 7. This reaction force causes tooth 7 to rotate, driving rings 11 and 12 to rotate. The rotation of ring 12 drives the rotating module 8, thereby adjusting the electrical signal in the first closed loop. This signal is then transmitted via the signal transmitting module to the mid-drive motor, which has a signal receiver and controller, thus changing the speed of the mid-drive motor to provide assistance. The greater the rotation amplitude of tooth 7, the greater the assistance from the mid-drive motor. The rotation of ring 11 compresses spring 5, limiting and adjusting the rotation angle of ring 11 through the deformation of spring 5. As the vehicle speed increases, the reaction force of spring 5 on ring 11 causes it to rotate in the opposite direction, reducing the assistance to the mid-drive motor.

[0034] The chain is connected to the rear wheel via a flywheel (ratchet) that allows for one-way clutch engagement.

[0035] A flywheel can also be installed between disk 4 and central shaft 1 to achieve one-way clutch.

[0036] Example 2

[0037] like Figure 1-4 As shown, unlike Embodiment 1, the first disk 4 is provided with a slide groove 13, and a slider 14 is movably mounted in the slide groove 13. The rotating module 8 is mounted on the slider 14 and can move along the slide groove 13 with the slider 14. A second spring 15 is provided between the slider 14 and the first disk 4 to control the position of the slider 14.

[0038] The second ring 12 is provided with a limiting hole 16, and a movable block 17 is movably provided at the limiting hole 16. A third spring 18 is provided between the movable block 17 and the central shaft 1.

[0039] It should be noted that when the vehicle starts and is in a stable driving state, the force between the chain and the teeth 7 decreases. At this time, the rotating module 8 stops the intervention of the central motor, thus reducing the power assist and causing the vehicle to experience discontinuous power and sudden acceleration. In this design, as the rotation speed of the first disc 4 increases, the slider 14 moves along the slide groove 13, causing the rotating module 8 to disengage from the second ring 12. The moving block 17 moves closer to the rotating module 8 under the action of centrifugal force. As the rotation speed of the second ring 12 changes, the distance between the moving block 17 and the center of the second ring 12 changes. During the movement, the moving block 17 makes tangential contact with the rotating module 8, causing the rotating module 8 to rotate to control the rotation speed of the central motor. The faster the rotation speed of the first disc 4, the greater the power assist of the central motor; the slower the rotation speed of the first disc 4, the less power assist the central motor will provide. When the rotation speed of the first disc 4 is lower than the set speed, the rotating module 8 re-engages with the second ring 12. At this time, the rotation of the teeth 7 controls the intervention power of the central motor.

[0040] The slider 14 is equipped with a stop switch. The stop switch, the signal transmitting module, and the power supply form a second closed loop. The stop switch is triggered when the slider 14 returns to the initial position, causing the central motor to stop intervening.

[0041] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clutch crank assembly for a mid-drive motor, used to control the speed of the mid-drive motor, comprising a central shaft (1), a first crank (2), and a second crank (3), characterized in that, A first disk (4) is sleeved on the central shaft (1). A rotating component is concentrically arranged on the first disk (4). A first spring (5) is provided between the rotating component and the first disk (4) to generate rotational resistance when the rotating component rotates and to reset the rotating component. The magnitude of the rotational resistance is positively correlated with the rotation angle of the rotating component. The first disk (4) is provided with several rotating shafts (6) along its circumference. The rotating shafts (6) are provided with teeth (7). One end of each of the teeth (7) near the center of the first disk (4) is connected to a rotating component. The first disk (4) is equipped with a rotating module (8), a signal transmitting module and a power supply, and the rotating module (8), the signal transmitting module and the power supply constitute a first closed loop; When the tooth (7) rotates along its rotation center, it drives the rotating part to rotate. The rotating part drives the rotating module (8) to rotate and generates an electrical signal that matches the rotation angle. The signal transmitting module sends the electrical signal to the controller of the central motor, so that the controller controls the motor speed according to the electrical signal. The first disk (4) has several through holes (9) along its circumference; The rotating component includes a connecting post (10) located at the through hole (9). The two ends of the connecting post (10) are respectively connected to a first ring (11) and a second ring (12) arranged concentrically with the first disk (4). The teeth (7) are connected to the first ring (11), and the rotating module (8) is in contact with the second ring (12). The first disk (4) is provided with a sliding groove (13), and a slider (14) is provided in the sliding groove (13). The rotating module (8) is provided on the slider (14), and a second spring (15) is provided between the slider (14) and the first disk (4) for controlling the position of the slider (14). The second ring (12) is provided with a limiting hole (16), a moving block (17) is provided at the limiting hole (16), and a third spring (18) is provided between the moving block (17) and the central shaft (1). After the rotation speed of disk 1 (4) increases, the slider (14) moves along the slide groove (13), causing the rotating module (8) to disengage from the second ring (12). The moving block (17) approaches the rotating module (8) under the action of centrifugal force and changes its distance from the center of the second ring (12) as the rotation speed of the second ring (12) changes. The displacement of the moving block (17) causes the rotating module (8) to rotate to control the rotation speed of the central motor. The slider (14) is equipped with a stop switch. The stop switch, together with the signal transmitting module and the power supply, forms a second closed loop. The stop switch is used to stop the operation of the mid-mounted motor.

2. The clutch crank assembly for a mid-drive motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first ring (11) is provided with several guide grooves along its circumference, and the teeth (7) are provided with guide posts that pass through the guide grooves so that the guide posts can move radially along the first ring (11) within the guide grooves.

3. The clutch crank assembly for a mid-drive motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating module (8) is a rotary switch.

4. The clutch chain assembly for a mid-mounted motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating module (8) is a Hall effect throttle.

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