Electrically assisted bicycle, motor controller and starting method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides an electrically assisted bicycle and a motor controller and a starting method thereof. Wherein the motor controller is provided with a first power supply pin, a first grounding pin, a first key pin, a second power supply pin, a second grounding pin and a second key pin; the first power pin is connected to a battery. The first grounding pin is connected to the battery. The first key pin is connected to the battery. The second power pin is connected to a vehicle meter. The second grounding pin is connected to the vehicle meter. The second button pin is connected to the vehicle meter. The vehicle meter comprises a power button. The vehicle meter is a first type vehicle meter or a second type vehicle meter. If the vehicle meter is a first type vehicle meter, the power button is connected to the second power pin and the second button pin. If the vehicle meter is a second type vehicle meter, the power button is connected to the second button pin and the second grounding pin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle and its controller and operation method, and particularly to an electric-assisted bicycle and its motor controller and startup method. Background Art

[0002] Electric-assisted bicycles on the market usually come with a vehicle meter. Users can set riding gears, check battery power, or view riding speed through the vehicle meter.

[0003] However, vehicle meters of different models may have different startup methods. In order to match vehicle meters of different models, different motor controllers need to be designed to connect with the vehicle meters. If an inappropriate motor controller is connected to the vehicle meter, it will cause the problem that the motor cannot start. In addition, too many models of motor controllers will also cause inventory problems. Therefore, R & D personnel are working on developing a motor controller that can be applicable to vehicle meters with different startup methods at the same time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an electric-assisted bicycle and its motor controller and startup method, which utilize the circuit design of the motor controller to make the motor controller applicable to two types of vehicle meters at the same time. There is no need to worry about the problem that the motor controller cannot start due to incorrect connection of the vehicle meter. In addition, there is no need to stock different motor controllers for different vehicle meters additionally.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, an electric-assisted bicycle is provided. The electric-assisted bicycle includes a motor controller, a battery, and a vehicle meter. The motor controller has a first power supply pin, a first ground pin, a first button pin, a second power supply pin, a second ground pin, and a second button pin. The battery is connected to the first power supply pin, the first ground pin, and the first button pin. The vehicle meter is connected to the second power supply pin, the second ground pin, and the second button pin. The vehicle meter includes a power button. The vehicle meter is a first-type vehicle meter or a second-type vehicle meter. If the vehicle meter is a first-type vehicle meter, the power button is connected to the second power supply pin and the second button pin; before the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the vehicle meter; after the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the motor controller. If the vehicle meter is a second-type vehicle meter, the power button is connected to the second button pin and the second ground pin; before the power button is pressed, the battery does not supply power to the vehicle meter; after the power button is pressed, the battery is awakened to supply power to the motor controller and the vehicle meter.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a motor controller is provided. The motor controller has a first power pin, a first ground pin, a first button pin, a second power pin, a second ground pin, and a second button pin. The first power pin is connected to a battery. The first ground pin is connected to the battery. The first button pin is connected to the battery. The second power pin is connected to a vehicle meter. The second ground pin is connected to the vehicle meter. The second button pin is connected to the vehicle meter. The vehicle meter includes a power button. The vehicle meter is a first type of vehicle meter or a second type of vehicle meter. If the vehicle meter is a first type of vehicle meter, the power button is connected to the second power pin and the second button pin. Before the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the vehicle meter; after the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the motor controller. If the vehicle meter is a second type of vehicle meter, the power button is connected to the second button pin and the second ground pin; before the power button is pressed, the battery does not supply power to the vehicle meter; after the power button is pressed, the battery is awakened and then supplies power to the motor controller and the vehicle meter.

[0007] According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for starting a motor controller of an electric assist bicycle is provided. The method for starting a motor controller of an electric assist bicycle includes the following steps. Determine whether a power button of a vehicle meter is pressed. When the vehicle meter is a first type of vehicle meter, execute a first start-up program to enable the battery to supply power to the motor controller. When the vehicle meter is a second type of vehicle meter, execute a second start-up program to awaken the battery and then supply power to the motor controller and the vehicle meter. The first start-up program is different from the second start-up program.

[0008] To have a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, specific embodiments are given below and are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows. Description of the Drawings

[0009] Figure 1 It is a system architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 310 that is preset to supply power before starting in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a system architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 320 that is preset not to supply power before starting in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a system architecture diagram of the electric assist bicycle 1000 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 It is a PINOUT schematic diagram of the vehicle meters 310 and 320 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a start-up architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 310 (the first type of vehicle meter) in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6It is a startup architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 320 (the second type of vehicle meter) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 It is an example diagram of the operation mode of the second button pin PK2.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a circuit diagram of the electric assist bicycle 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a flowchart of the startup method of the motor controller 100 of the electric assist bicycle 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Reference numerals:

[0019] 100: Motor controller

[0020] 200: Battery

[0021] 310, 320: Vehicle meter

[0022] 400: Motor

[0023] 500: Headlight

[0024] 600: Taillight

[0025] 700: Throttle

[0026] 800: Brake

[0027] 900: Detector

[0028] 1000: Electric assist bicycle

[0029] AF: Active front stage component

[0030] CV: DC-DC circuit

[0031] DT: Detection circuit

[0032] DV: Voltage dividing circuit

[0033] GND: Ground voltage

[0034] K1, K2: Power button

[0035] Key_IN: Button signal

[0036] Key_IN_EN: Startup signal

[0037] Keep_KP: Control signal

[0038] NM: Second switch

[0039] PK1: First button pin

[0040] PK2: Second key pin

[0041] PG1: First ground pin

[0042] PG2: Second ground pin

[0043] PHG: Ground pin path

[0044] PHK: Key pin path

[0045] PHV: Power pin path

[0046] PM: First switch

[0047] PV1: First power pin

[0048] PV2: Second power pin

[0049] P+: Power supply voltage

[0050] RL: Relay

[0051] S110, S120, S121, S122, S123, S124, S130, S131, S132, S133, S134, S140: Steps

[0052] VBatt: Power supply voltage Detailed implementation manners

[0053] The technical terms in this specification refer to the customary terms in this technical field. If this specification explains or defines some terms, the explanations of these terms shall be subject to the explanations or definitions in this specification. Each embodiment of the present invention has one or more technical features. On the premise of possible implementation, those with ordinary knowledge in this technical field can selectively implement some or all of the technical features in any embodiment, or selectively combine some or all of the technical features in these embodiments.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 1 , which is the system architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 310 that provides power before startup in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The illustrated vehicle meter 310 is the first type of vehicle meter. Under this architecture, the battery 200 (illustrated in Figure 3 ) supplies the power supply voltage VBatt to the vehicle meter 310 from the second power pin PV2. When the microprocessor (MCU) inside the vehicle meter 310 is in the standby mode, it detects whether the power key K1 is pressed, then turns on the screen, and provides a key signal Key_IN from the second key pin PK2 to notify the motor controller 100 (illustrated in Figure 3)Turn on. When the vehicle meter 310 is not yet turned on, the static power consumption of the vehicle meter 310 is about less than 10 mA.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 2 , which is the system architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 320 that is not provided with power before startup according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power button K2 is linked to the switch of the battery 200 (shown in Figure 3 ), and the battery 200 can be directly turned on through the vehicle meter 320. After the battery 200 outputs voltage, it directly starts the vehicle meter 320 and the motor controller 100 (shown in Figure 3 ). When the power button K2 is not pressed, the battery 200 does not need to output voltage, so the system does not consume extra power, and there is no concern about leakage in the whole system. The power consumption of the battery 200 before startup is about less than 20 μA. The power button K2 of the vehicle meter 320 is used to pull down the voltage level to wake up the battery 200, and then supply power to the vehicle meter 320. After receiving power, the vehicle meter 320 automatically turns on and then detects the action behavior of each button.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 3 , which is the system architecture diagram of the electric assisted bicycle 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the electric assisted bicycle 1000 is centered around the motor controller 100 and is connected to the vehicle meters 310, 320, sensors and other peripherals (such as the motor 400, the front lamp 500, the rear lamp 600, the throttle 700, the brake 800, the detector 900, etc.). The battery 200 is an input device, and the motor 400 is an output device.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 4 , which is the PINOUT schematic diagram of the vehicle meters 310 and 320 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the motor controller 100 (shown in Figure 3 ) adds a set of circuits to be compatible with the key signals Key_IN of the vehicle meters 310 and 320 at the same time. The vehicle meter connector of the motor controller 100 outputs with 5 pins. When using the first type of vehicle meter (vehicle meter 310), the second button pin PK2 provides the supply function of the power voltage Vbatt to start the motor controller 100; when using the second type of vehicle meter (vehicle meter 320), the second button pin PK2 provides the detection function of the key signal Key_IN to start the battery 200 (shown in Figure 3 ), and then outputs power to the motor controller 100 and supplies power to the vehicle meter 320 for use. The second ground pin PG2 provides the ground voltage GND, and the other pins are for CANBUS use.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 5, which is the startup architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 310 (the first type of vehicle meter) according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the electric assist bicycle 1000 adopts the vehicle meter 310, the electric assist bicycle 1000 includes the above-mentioned motor controller 100, the above-mentioned battery 200, and the above-mentioned vehicle meter 310. The motor controller 100 has a first power supply pin PV1, a first ground pin PG1, a first button pin PK1, a second power supply pin PV2, a second ground pin PG2, and a second button pin PK2. The battery 200 is connected to the first power supply pin PV1, the first ground pin PG1, and the first button pin PK1. The vehicle meter 310 is connected to the second power supply pin PV2, the second ground pin PG2, and the second button pin PK2.

[0059] The motor controller 100 further includes a power supply pin path PHV, a button pin path PHK, and a ground pin path PHG. The power supply pin path PHV connects the first power supply pin PV1 and the second power supply pin PV2. The button pin path PHK connects the first button pin PK1 and the second button pin PK2. The ground pin path PHG connects the first ground pin PG1 and the second ground pin PG2.

[0060] The vehicle meter 310 includes a power button K1. When the vehicle meter 310 is the first type of vehicle meter, the power button K1 is connected to the second power supply pin PV2 and the second button pin PK2; before the power button K1 is pressed, the battery 200 supplies power to the vehicle meter 310; after the power button K1 is pressed, the battery 200 supplies power to the motor controller 100.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 6 , which is the startup architecture diagram of the vehicle meter 320 (the second type of vehicle meter) according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the electric assist bicycle 1000 adopts the vehicle meter 320, the electric assist bicycle 1000 includes the above-mentioned motor controller 100, the above-mentioned battery 200, and the above-mentioned vehicle meter 320. The vehicle meter 320 is connected to the second power supply pin PV2, the second ground pin PG2, and the second button pin PK2.

[0062] The vehicle meter 320 includes a power button K2. When the vehicle meter 320 is the second type of vehicle meter, the power button K2 is connected to the second button pin PK2 and the second ground pin PG2; before the power button K2 is pressed, the battery 200 does not supply power to the vehicle meter 310; after the power button K2 is pressed, the battery 200 is awakened so that the battery 200 supplies power to the motor controller 100 and the vehicle meter 320.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 7, and its example illustrates the operation mode of the second button pin PK2. The vehicle meter 310 (the first type of vehicle meter) supplies power to the motor controller 100 through the button signal Key_IN of the second button pin PK2. The vehicle meter 320 (the second type of vehicle meter) pulls down the voltage level through the button signal Key_IN of the second button pin PK2 to serve as a wake-up signal for the battery 200.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 8 , which is the circuit diagram of the electric assist bicycle 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 The internal circuit of the battery 200 is shown on the left side of Figure 9 The internal circuits of the vehicle meters 310 and 320 are shown on the right side of Figure 8 The internal circuit of the motor controller 100 is shown in the middle part of

[0065] The motor controller 100 further includes a relay RL, a first switch PM, a voltage dividing circuit DV, a detection circuit DT, a second switch NM, and a DC-to-DC circuit CV. The relay RL is connected to the button pin path PHK. The first switch PM is connected to the relay RL and the power supply pin path PHV. The first switch PM is, for example, a P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (PMOSFET). The voltage dividing circuit DV is connected to the first switch PM. The detection circuit DT is connected to the button pin path PHK. The second switch NM is connected to the first switch PM and the ground pin path PHG. The second switch NM is, for example, an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (NMOSFET). The DC-to-DC circuit CV is connected to the button pin path PHK and the relay RL.

[0066] The battery 200 includes an Active Front End (AFE) AF. The vehicle meter 310 includes the aforementioned power button K1, and the vehicle meter 320 includes the aforementioned power button K2.

[0067] The vehicle meter 310 is the first type of vehicle meter, which is preset to be supplied with power before startup. When the power button K1 is pressed, a conduction voltage is output to the DC-to-DC circuit CV in the motor controller 100. The DC-to-DC circuit CV supplies power to the relay RL and turns on the relay RL, so that the voltage dividing circuit DV directly outputs a divided voltage to provide a startup signal to start the motor controller 100.

[0068] The vehicle meter 320 is a second-type vehicle meter. When the power button K2 is pressed, the voltage level is pulled low, causing the active front-stage component AF of the battery 200 to wake up the battery 200 and control the battery 200 to output the power voltage P+ to the motor controller 100 and the vehicle meter 320. As a result, the first switch PM (PMOSFET) inside the motor controller 100 is turned on, and the voltage dividing circuit DV generates a start signal Key_IN_EN.

[0069] When the detection circuit DT detects that the voltage level is about to be pulled low, it notifies the microprocessor to simultaneously output a control signal Keep_KP to the second switch NM (NMOS) to turn on the second switch NM, thereby keeping the first switch PM continuously on and enabling the power voltage P+ to be continuously supplied.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 9 , which is a flowchart of the startup method of the motor controller 100 of the electric assist bicycle 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The startup method of the motor controller 100 of the electric assist bicycle 1000 includes steps S110 to S140. Steps S120 and S130 are not performed simultaneously, but it depends on whether the electric assist bicycle 1000 uses the vehicle meter 310 or the vehicle meter 320 to execute step S120 or step S130. When the electric assist bicycle 1000 uses the vehicle meter 310 (the first-type vehicle meter), the startup method includes steps S110, S120, and S140.

[0071] In step S110, it is determined whether the power button K1 of the vehicle meter 310 is pressed. If the power button K1 of the vehicle meter 310 is pressed, then step S120 is entered.

[0072] In step S120, a first startup program is executed to supply power from the battery 200 to the motor controller 100. The first startup program includes steps S121 to S124.

[0073] In step S121, as Figure 8 shown, the battery 200 is preset to supply power to the vehicle meter 310.

[0074] Next, in step S122, as Figure 8 shown, since the power button K1 is pressed, the button pin path PHK is powered.

[0075] Then, in step S123, as Figure 8 shown, the relay RL is powered through the button pin path PHK.

[0076] Next, in step S124, as Figure 8 shown, the relay RL is started to supply power from the battery 200 to the motor controller 100.

[0077] Then, in step S140, as Figure 8 shown, the motor controller 100 is started.

[0078] When the electric assist bicycle 1000 adopts the vehicle meter 320 (the second type of vehicle meter), the starting method includes steps S110, S130, and S140.

[0079] In step S110, it is judged whether the power button K2 of the vehicle meter 320 is pressed. If the power button K2 of the vehicle meter 320 is pressed, then step S130 is entered.

[0080] In step S130, a second starting program is executed to wake up the battery 200, so as to supply power to the motor controller 100 and the vehicle meter 320. The second starting program is different from the first starting program.

[0081] The second starting program includes steps S131 to S134.

[0082] In step S131, as Figure 8 shown, the battery 200 is controlled to be preset in the off state.

[0083] Then, in step S132, as Figure 8 shown, the battery 200 is woken up.

[0084] Then, in step S133, as Figure 8 shown, the first switch PM is turned on so that the battery 200 supplies power to the motor controller 100.

[0085] Then, in step S134, as Figure 8 shown, the second switch NM is turned on so that the first switch PM remains on.

[0086] Then, in step S140, as Figure 8 shown, the motor controller 100 is started.

[0087] Through the above embodiments, the same motor controller 100 can be applied to the vehicle meter 310 (the first type of vehicle meter) and the vehicle meter (the second type of vehicle meter) at the same time, increasing the application methods of different vehicle meters 310 and 320. There is no need to worry about the problem that the motor controller 100 cannot be started due to incorrect connection of the vehicle meters 310 and 320. In addition, there is no need to reserve different motor controllers for the first type of vehicle meter or the second type of vehicle meter.

[0088] The above content provides different features for implementing some embodiments or examples of the present invention. The components and configurations described above are used to simplify some embodiments of the present invention with specific examples. Of course, such components and configurations are only examples and are not intended to be restrictive. In addition, some embodiments of the present invention may repeat reference symbols and / or letters in various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not itself indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0089] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with examples, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to that defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electric assisted bicycle, comprising: A motor controller having a first power pin, a first ground pin, a first key pin, a second power pin, a second ground pin and a second key pin; A battery connected to the first power pin, the first ground pin and the first key pin; as well as A car watch connected to the second power pin, the second ground pin and the second button pin, the car watch comprising: A power button; The watch is a first type watch or a second type watch; If the car watch is the first type of car watch, the power button is connected to the second power pin and the second button pin; before the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the car watch; after the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the motor controller; If the car watch is the second type of car watch, the power button is connected to the second button pin and the second ground pin; before the power button is pressed, the battery does not supply power to the car watch; after the power button is pressed, the battery is awakened so that the battery supplies power to the motor controller and the car watch.

2. The electric-assisted bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor controller includes: A power pin path connecting the first power pin and the second power pin; A key pin path connecting the first key pin and the second key pin; A ground pin path connecting the first ground pin and the second ground pin; a relay connected to the key pin path; a first switch connected to the relay and the power pin path; a voltage divider circuit connected to the first switch; a detection circuit connected to the key pin path; and A second switch is connected to the first switch and the ground pin path.

3. The electric-assisted bicycle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motor controller further comprises: A direct current circuit is connected to the key pin path and the relay.

4. The electric-assisted bicycle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first switch is a P-type metal–oxide–semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (PMOSFET).

5. The electric-assisted bicycle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second switch is an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (NMOSFET).

6. The electric-assisted bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery includes: An active front end (AFE) is used to wake up the battery so that the battery can supply power to the motor controller and the car meter.

7. A motor controller comprising: A first power pin connected to a battery; A first ground pin connected to the battery; A first button pin connected to the battery; A second power supply pin connected to a car meter; A second ground pin connected to the vehicle meter; as well as A second button pin connected to the car meter; The car watch includes a power button, and the car watch is a first type car watch or a second type car watch; If the car watch is the first type of car watch, the power button is connected to the second power pin and the second button pin; before the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the car watch; after the power button is pressed, the battery supplies power to the motor controller; If the car watch is the second type of car watch, the power button is connected to the second button pin and the second ground pin; before the power button is pressed, the battery does not supply power to the car watch; after the power button is pressed, the battery is awakened and then supplies power to the motor controller and the car watch.

8. The motor controller according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: A power pin path connecting the first power pin and the second power pin; A key pin path connecting the first key pin and the second key pin; A ground pin path connecting the first ground pin and the second ground pin; a relay connected to the key pin path; a first switch connected to the relay and the power pin path; a voltage divider circuit connected to the first switch; A detection circuit connected to the key pin path; as well as A second switch is connected to the first switch and the ground pin path.

9. The motor controller according to claim 8, characterized in that: Also includes: A direct current circuit is connected to the key pin path and the relay.

10. A method for starting a motor controller of an electric-assisted bicycle, comprising: Determine whether a power button of a car watch is pressed; When the vehicle watch is the first type of vehicle watch, a first startup procedure is executed to enable the battery to supply power to the motor controller; as well as When the car watch is the second type of car watch, a second startup procedure is executed to wake up the battery, thereby supplying power to the motor controller and the car watch. The first startup procedure is different from the second startup procedure.

11. The method for starting a motor controller of an electric-assisted bicycle according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first startup procedure includes: The battery supplies power to the vehicle meter; A key pin path is powered, the key pin path is connected to a first key pin and a second key pin of the motor controller, the first key pin is connected to the battery, and the second key pin is connected to the car meter; Supplying power to a relay through the key pin path; and The relay is activated to allow the battery to power the motor controller.

12. The method for starting a motor controller of an electric-assisted bicycle according to claim 10, characterized in that: The second startup procedure includes: Control the battery to be in a closed state; Wake up the battery; Turning on a first switch to allow the battery to supply power to the motor controller; and A second switch is turned on to keep the first switch turned on continuously.

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