Muscle-powered pedal apparatus with generator for electrical energy

Abstract

A pedal-powered device with an electric generator, characterized by a T-shaped frame with a transmission shaft in a cylindrical crossbeam. This shaft mechanically transmits the pedaling force to a drive wheel of the vehicle on one side and to an electric generator mounted at the end of the crossbeam on the other. The generator is an external rotor design and is driven at high speed by a planetary gear set after the traction reduction gear. The pedal-powered device is pivotally clamped to the vehicle frame at the ends of the crossbeam, allowing it to be adapted to the rider and the application. The electric machine can be used as an auxiliary motor or generator for a hybrid electromechanical drive system, or as an electric transmission with various motor configurations and control options.

Description

The invention relates to a muscle-powered pedal with generator for electrical energy, preferably for use for hybrid propulsion of a mobile means of transport.The pedal apparatus comprises a frame for pivotal attachment to a frame.The frame is in the form of a T and consists of a handle of preferably rectangular cross-section, at the end of which a crankshaft with pedals is mounted, and a cross-member of preferably cylindrical cross-section, which carries the handle in the middle and is fastened at the ends to the frame of the transport means. The handle is preferably a box profile which encloses a traction drive, the cross member is a tube in which a transmission shaft is concentrically mounted, which transmission shaft is led out of the cross member on one side and leads on the other side via a planetary gear to an electric generator which is positioned in the tube or at the end thereof.The pedal is preferably disposed in front of the front axle of a 4-wheel vehicle and operated with foot or hand power.This arrangement according to the invention offers the following advantages:The concentric fastening of the tube enables: 1. the direct mechanical output of the pedal force to be applied by a traction drive to a rear wheel in any angular position of the frame on the frame, to which the tube is fastened, preferably pivotably, by means of a clamping clamp. 2. the drive of the electric generator via a 2-stage transmission gear. The electric generator transmits muscle power to an electric storage battery or to an electric wheel drive. The drive can be effected exclusively electrically or in combination with the direct mechanical wheel drive. 3. the use of the electric generator as a drive motor acting on the mechanical output, which is supplied from a battery and assists the crank drive of the muscle power. 4. a combination of these uses.The universal usability of the mechanical arrangement for various drive concepts is advantageous. Mixed use of mechanical and electric drive enables the best efficiency, generator operation enables the realization of a comfortable electric transmission with high spread, the distribution of the drive power to a plurality of wheel drives or a central final drive, the use of the generator as a sensor for torque and rotational speed, the use of the generator for generating and storing electrical energy even in standstill and independently of the driving operation, e.g. as a home trainer or on board a ship.The adaptability to the ergonomy of foot or hand actuation is possible by the concentric mounting and clamping fastening without adapting the chain length.The placement of track rub and electric machine in a well available and protected space in the area of the front wheels of a vehicle and the placement of a majority of the low center of gravity mass.The use of a bell-shaped external rotor as the rotor of the electric generator is advantageous for the control behavior because of the large flywheel mass. The intermediate storage of the kinetic energy improves the utilization and efficiency of the electric machine and ensures a uniform force sensation during actuation without complicated control electronics.The embodiment of the pedal apparatus which is the same in terms of dimensions can be mounted in different embodiments with identical fastenings and interchangeably.In the simplest embodiment, a mechanical drive to a single wheel takes place with the pedal drive.One variant uses the electric machine in the treadle to assist the pedal drive. Another variant uses an electric generator in combination with 2 electric wheel drives, which then enable wheelchair control.A further variant is the combination of the pedal generator with a central final drive and differential for driving a rear axle with the function of an electric transmission.For an electric transmission, the electrical voltage of the generator is adapted to the travel speed and battery voltage via a DC / DC converter.The ratio of input to output voltage of the DC / DC converter corresponds to the mechanical transmission ratio and can also be controlled manually or automatically.In manual setting, the pedaling frequency (kadenz) is obtained from the transmission ratio. Variation in pedaling force controls the running speed with little change in the carcass. In the case of automatic adjustment, a pedal force is preselected and the transmission ratio is automatically adjusted. The travel speed is then controlled in proportion to the carcass.FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment with a schematic arrangement on the frame of a vehicle with driven rear wheels. The left wheel is mechanically driven via a chain, the right wheel is electrically driven via an electric motor.A box-shaped shaft (2) is fastened centrally to the transverse tube (1), at the end of which shaft the crankshaft (3) is mounted. The crankshaft carries opposite pedals (4) for foot or hand actuation and centrally a gearwheel (5) for a traction drive. The traction means (6) is guided in the box profile to the tube of the cross member to a pinion (7) which is fastened on a transmission shaft (8) which is concentrically mounted in the tube of the cross member. At one end of the cross member, the transmission shaft is led out and carries a gearwheel (9) for a chain drive (10) to the rear wheel (11). At the opposite end, the stator (12) of an electric machine is fastened on the cross tube (1), the bell-shaped rotor (13) of which is fastened to the pinion shaft (14), concentrically mounted in the tube, of a planetary gearing (15) within the cross member, which is driven via the other side of the transmission shaft (8). The generator frame is pivotally mounted to the frame (16) by clamping clamps (17). The electric generator is connected via a DC / DC converter (18) to the traction battery (19) from which the motor (20) is supplied via a controller (21).

Claims

a T-shaped frame with a box-shaped handle (2) and a cylindrical cross member (1).the concentric arrangement of a transmission shaft (8) in the cross member (1) with central drive via a traction drive with pinion (7) and concentric abrasion (9) by means of traction drive on one side and connection with a pulley shaft (14) to the rotor (13) of an electric generator directly or via a planetary gear (15) to the other side.the concentric fastening of the stator (12) of an electric machine at the end of the cross member and of a bell-shaped rotor (13) of the electric machine on a shaft with concentric mounting inside the cross member (1).a concentric clamping (17) of the cross member at its ends.A DC / DC voltage converter (18) with a manually selectable transmission ratioA DC / DC voltage converter whose transmission ratio is automatically changed as a function of the pedal frequency.A DC / DC converter whose transmission ratio is automatically varied in dependence on the pedal force.an engine controller which adjusts the vehicle speed as a function of the generator rotational speed or generator voltage.an engine controller which adjusts the vehicle speed as a function of the generator current.an operating element having a continuously variable actuator for transmission or treading frequency and a selection switch for selecting the function of the actuator.

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