Method for operating a drive arrangement for a vehicle that is at least partially muscle-powered

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive arrangement for a vehicle that is at least partially powered by muscle power and to a method for operating the drive arrangement.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a drive arrangement.

[0002] Vehicles powered at least partially by muscle power, such as bicycles with an auxiliary motor, are known from the prior art as electric bicycles. An electric bicycle is a bicycle with an additional integrated electric motor. A battery that works in conjunction with the electric motor is removable and can be charged at a standard household outlet. For licensing reasons, a distinction is made between bicycles with limited pedal assistance (pedelec), bicycles with unlimited pedal assistance (speed pedelec), bicycles with an auxiliary drive independent of pedaling (e-bike), and electric bicycles without pedal assistance (e-scooter). In a pedelec, the electric motor only engages when the pedals, which are attached to a crank, are turned. Therefore, the pedelec is at least partially powered by muscle power. The electric motor thus only assists the pedaling effort.

[0003] Prior art has revealed drive systems for motor-assisted bicycles in which a generator converts the biomechanical drive power of a user into electrical power, which is then converted back into mechanical drive power by a drive motor connected to a wheel.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2011 082 082 A1 discloses a bicycle with an auxiliary motor designed as a hub motor. The bicycle further comprises a drive wheel driven by the auxiliary motor, a bottom bracket with pedals, the mechanical energy of which is converted into electrical energy by a generator located in the bottom bracket. The generator can operate the auxiliary motor. The auxiliary motor is mechanically separated from the pedals in such a way that it can only be operated by the electrical energy supplied by the generator and / or an energy storage device.

[0005] Patent 10 2017 213 303 A1 describes a motor arrangement comprising a drive motor and a gearbox arranged radially within the drive motor. This motor arrangement is designed to be connected via an electrical cable to an electric generator and / or an electric energy storage device. Here too, the generator is driven by muscle power via a pedal crank to generate electrical energy used to propel the vehicle. Thus, a drive chain or belt is not required on the vehicle.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2021 133 954 A1 describes a drive module for a vehicle that is at least partially powered by muscle power. This module includes means for detecting the torque and / or direction of rotation of the pedal crank, as well as a control unit that derives information from the torque and / or direction of rotation, which is exchanged between the drive module and the driver of a vehicle equipped with the drive module.

[0007] The rider simply drives a generator by turning the pedals, which then produces electricity. This electricity can be used, for example, to charge a battery or directly power the electric drive motor. Furthermore, a charged battery can provide additional power to the electric drive motor.

[0008] Generally, there is a need to avoid vibrations from the drive system that are unpleasant for the driver and to support the driver's training efficiency.

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to demonstrate a series-hybrid drive train for a vehicle that is at least partially powered by muscle power, which also uses some of the energy to be supplied for pedal assistance to support the regeneration of the driver during the journey.

[0010] This problem is solved by a method for operating a drive arrangement according to claim 1.

[0011] The core idea of ​​the invention is to transmit vibrations via the vehicle's pedals to the feet and legs, which are perceived by the driver as a muscle massage.

[0012] The drive arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle that is at least partially muscle-powered comprises a generator. This generator can be connected directly or indirectly to a pedal crank via a shaft in such a way that the mechanical energy generated by the pedal crank, or by pedals attached to it, can be converted into electrical energy, which in turn can be supplied to an energy storage device. An indirect connection can, for example, be formed via a gearbox in the operative flow between the generator and the shaft.

[0013] According to the invention, the generator can be electrically connected to at least one electric drive motor in such a way that the drive motor can be at least partially operated with the electrical energy provided by the generator.

[0014] The at least one connectable drive motor is designed to drive a drive wheel of the vehicle and is supplied exclusively with electrical energy provided by the generator and / or the energy storage device.

[0015] According to the invention, the generator is further designed and arranged to be operated by motor using electrical energy from the energy storage device.

[0016] According to the invention, a control unit is further included which is electrically connected to the generator in such a way that the generator can be supplied with electrical energy from the energy storage device in such a manner that vibrations are introduced into the pedal crank. These vibrations can, for example, have a waveform formed from sine, trapezoidal, square, or chirp waves. It can also be advantageous to fade these in and out in amplitude or to pulse them. Other waveforms are also possible.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the oscillations are pulsed. This also includes, for example, a sine wave being faded in, held, and faded out again over one or more periods of amplitude.

[0018] The inventive method for controlling the drive arrangement described above comprises the steps i. Recording an operating state S recover a vehicle equipped with the drive system, ii. Powering the generator from the energy storage device with a vibration pattern.

[0019] Preferably, the focus is on capturing the operating state S recover Prerequisite: an instruction from the driver.

[0020] The preferred operating state is S recoverThe process is initiated by a rider input. This input can be via a haptic control element. Alternatively, the rider input can be achieved by applying torque to the crank arm. This can be done by the rider pedaling backwards. However, torque increases in the forward direction are also conceivable.

[0021] If the bicycle allows for user differentiation, this function can be activated and calibrated depending on the user. Rider A would prefer a sine wave, whereas Rider B might like the chirp, and Rider C might not want to activate the function. Thus, according to the invention, the vibration pattern is selected depending on the identity of a rider.

[0022] To improve the massage effect on the rider's muscles, the rider can be prompted via the control panel to briefly rise from the bicycle seat, essentially to stand up, while the massage process begins.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a drive arrangement for a vehicle that is at least partially powered by muscle power, comprising a generator which is designed to be connected indirectly or directly to a pedal crank via a shaft in such a way that mechanical energy generated by the pedal crank can be converted into electrical energy which can be supplied to an energy storage device, wherein the generator can be electrically connected to at least one drive motor in such a way that the latter can be operated at least partially with the electrical energy supplied by the generator, wherein the at least one drive motor is designed to drive a drive wheel of the vehicle, and wherein the at least one drive motor can be operated exclusively by the electrical energy that can be provided by the generator and / or the energy storage device, wherein the generator is designed to be motor-driven using electrical energy from the energy storage device, and further comprising a control unit which is electrically connected to the generator in such a way that the generator can be supplied with electrical energy from the energy storage device in such a way that vibrations are introduced into the pedal crank, comprehensive the steps iii. Recording an operating state S recover a vehicle equipped with the drive system, iv. Powering the generator from the energy storage device with an oscillation pattern, characterized by that the vibration pattern is chosen depending on the identity of a driver. [2] Drive arrangement for a vehicle that is at least partially powered by muscle power according to claim 1, characterized by that the vibrations have a waveform formed from sine, trapezoid, rectangle or chirp. [3] Drive arrangement for a vehicle that is at least partially powered by muscle power according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the vibrations are pulsed. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the operating state S recover It is initiated by an input from a driver. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the driver's input is made via a haptic control element. [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the rider's input is made via a torque applied to the crank arm. [7] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the vibration pattern is selected depending on input from a driver. [8] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the recording of the operating state S recover This is preceded by an instruction from the driver.