Distribution unit for an electric bicycle

Description

Technical field

[0001] The technical field concerns a distribution unit for an electric bicycle, as well as an electric bicycle with such a distribution unit. State of the art

[0002] Electric bicycles are known from the prior art and, in addition to a battery and a drive unit comprising a drive motor and motor control unit, have other electrical components. These components are supplied with electrical energy from the battery via the drive unit, controlled and supplied by the motor control unit.

[0003] US2019 / 386444 discloses a distribution unit for an electric bicycle. Description of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a distribution unit for an electric bicycle. The distribution unit is designed to be arranged in the top tube of the bicycle. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit can be designed to be arranged in any tube of the bicycle frame, for example, a seat tube or a down tube. The distribution unit can be designed to be arranged in the top tube of the bicycle during assembly of the electric bicycle. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit can be designed to be arranged in the top tube of the bicycle after assembly. In other words, the distribution unit can be a retrofittable unit.

[0005] The distribution unit comprises a control unit and a power interface. The control unit may have memory on which execution code can be stored, and the control unit may be configured to operate using this execution code. By providing execution code in the control unit's memory, the distribution unit can operate independently of other components of the electric bicycle. The distribution unit may have more than one power interface.

[0006] The distribution unit can be connected to the bicycle's battery via its power interface. For example, the power interface can have a slot in the distribution unit into which a plug with a cable from the battery can be inserted. The battery can be located on or inside the bicycle frame and can be configured to supply electrical energy to the bicycle's drive unit. The distribution unit can be connected to a load via its power interface. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit can be connected to a load via another power interface. The distribution unit can be connected to more than one load. The load can be at least one of the following: front light, rear light, gear shifter, and audible signal.The acoustic signaling device can be a bell, for example an electric bell, a horn, or a signal horn. The power connection can be a galvanic connection. In other words, there can be a galvanic connection from the battery, via the distribution unit, to the consumer.

[0007] The control unit is configured to manage the supply of electrical energy to the consumer from the battery via the distribution unit according to a control signal. The control unit can be configured to determine the control signal. The control unit can be configured to supply the consumer with electrical energy from the battery according to the control signal, with the distribution unit potentially including a transformer controllable by the control signal. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be configured to send the control signal to the consumer. The consumer can then be configured to independently request electrical energy from the battery via the distribution unit according to the control signal. Controlling the consumer's supply can involve switching the consumer on or off, as well as reducing or increasing the energy supply to the consumer.

[0008] Advantageously, this provides a distribution unit for an electric bicycle, allowing one or more devices to be centrally supplied with electrical energy from the battery via the distribution unit. A single galvanic connection, also known as a power connection, between the battery and the distribution unit can therefore suffice to connect multiple devices to the battery and supply them with electrical energy. By locating the distribution unit in the top tube, it can be easily accessed, especially for maintenance or repairs. This allows for the replacement of a power connection between a distribution unit and a device without having to access the power connection between the distribution unit and the battery. This can be 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 cables between consumers and the battery, thus saving space in the bicycle frame. This space can then be used, for example, for positioning the battery.

[0009] According to a further embodiment, the control unit can be configured to read acceleration data. This acceleration data can include acceleration data of the bicycle, in particular acceleration data of the distribution unit. The acceleration data can be acquired using an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor can be located in the distribution unit. Alternatively or additionally, the acceleration sensor or sensors can be located on the bicycle and outside the distribution unit, for example, on a suspension element such as a suspension fork or rear suspension spring, on the handlebars, or on the drive unit. The acceleration data can include information on linear acceleration and, alternatively or additionally, on rotational acceleration of the distribution unit or the bicycle. The control unit can be configured to control a device based on the acceleration data according to a control signal.The control unit can be configured to determine the control signal based on acceleration data. For example, the control unit can be configured to control a taillight as a power consumer based on acceleration data. Thus, during a strong deceleration caused by the cyclist braking, the control unit can adjust the taillight based on the detected acceleration data, causing it to flash red or remain lit. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to detect unintentional acceleration of the bicycle, such as during an attempted theft or a fall.

[0010] The control unit can then be configured to activate a consumer in response. For example, in the event of a theft attempt, all lights and audible alarms can be switched on, and in the event of a fall, the control unit can be configured to transmit an emergency signal via a radio interface. Furthermore, the acceleration data can contain information about the topography of the surroundings and thus information about the gradient of the terrain. The control unit can be configured to control the drive unit as a consumer depending on the gradient. For instance, the assistance provided by the drive unit can be increased by the control unit on steeper inclines. Advantageously, the distribution unit can therefore be configured to react to changes in the relative motion to the surroundings and control a consumer accordingly.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, the distribution unit can have a charging interface for a mobile device. The charging interface can have a plug connection. Alternatively or additionally, the charging interface can have an inductive connection interface. According to the invention, the mobile device can be connected to the charging interface in a force-fit and detachable manner. According to the invention, this is achieved via magnets in the charging interface.

[0012] The mobile device can also consist of a magnetizable material, such as iron, for the force-fit connection. This can then be attracted to the corresponding part by means of a magnet. The mobile device could, for example, be the user's smartphone. The distribution unit can be configured to charge the mobile device with electrical energy from the battery via the charging interface. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit can be configured to charge the battery with electrical energy from the mobile device via the charging interface. Advantageously, this allows electrical energy to be distributed between the user's mobile device and the bicycle using the distribution unit.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the distribution unit can have a data interface for a mobile device. The data interface can be combined with the charging interface as a single interface, for example, a USB port.

[0014] The data interface can alternatively or additionally include a radio interface. The distribution unit can be configured to receive data from the mobile device via the data interface. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution unit can be configured to send data to the mobile device via the data interface. The control unit can be configured to read the data received from the mobile device. Data received from the mobile device can, for example, include user requests. These can be entered by the user, for instance, via an application on the mobile device. The control unit can be configured to control a device based on the read data and according to a control signal.

[0015] For example, the control unit can be configured to send the bicycle's battery charge level to the mobile device via the data interface. The mobile device can then display the charge level on its screen. The user can then prioritize which electrical devices should be powered. This information can be received by the distribution unit via the data interface and read by the control unit. The control unit can then be configured to send a control signal so that, for example, the front light receives power first, while other devices are not powered due to the low battery charge and the user's input. This user-defined prioritization of electrical devices directly influences and improves the user's riding experience.Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to send a signal to the mobile device when a fall is detected via recorded acceleration data, allowing the mobile device to be used as a wireless interface for making an emergency call. The control unit can also be configured to transmit data to a cloud via such a wireless interface, which can be configured by the mobile device. This can be triggered, for example, by a timer or an event, such as a fault. Data transmitted to the cloud can be used as fleet data for analyzing systematic errors in distribution units or bicycles. The control unit can also be configured to receive software updates via the data interface. In this context, the control unit can be configured to control consumers depending on the software update.After the software update, controlling a consumer, such as the drive unit, via the distribution unit may be different than before the software update.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the distribution unit can have a user interface. The user interface can include input means and, alternatively or additionally, output means. For example, the user interface can include a touchscreen, a speaker, keys, and, alternatively or additionally, buttons. A distribution unit with such a user interface can represent a core HMI (Core Human Machine Interface). The user interface can be configured to capture user input. For example, the previously discussed prioritization by the user can be performed directly at the distribution unit via user input through the user interface. The control unit can be configured to read the captured user input and control a consumer based on the user input according to a control signal.For example, the user can switch the front and rear lights on and off via the user interface. The user interface can also be used to switch the power supply to all electrical components and the drive unit on and off via the battery. Furthermore, the user can adjust the level of assistance, also known as the assistance level, via the user interface. Additionally, the user can establish a Bluetooth pairing with a mobile device by pressing a key combination using input devices such as buttons. This allows, for example, a data connection between the distribution unit and the mobile device. The user interface can also include output devices such as acoustic and, alternatively or additionally, visual output devices. Acoustic output devices can include a loudspeaker or a horn.Visual output devices can include a display, such as a touchscreen, and alternatively or additionally LEDs. The control unit can be configured to communicate the battery charge level, fault codes from consumers, and alternatively or additionally fault codes from the distribution unit to the user via the output devices.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the distribution unit can have a data interface which can be configured for communication with another component of the electric bicycle. The data interface can be integrated with the power interface of the distribution unit. The distribution unit can have more than one data interface for communication with more than one component. The other component can be, for example, the drive unit, the battery, or one or more consumers. The control unit can be configured to read data from the other component of the electric bicycle via the data interface. The control unit can actively query this data from the other component. Alternatively or additionally, the component can actively send the data to the control unit, for example, triggered by a time or an event.In particular, the component can trigger the transmission of data to the control unit when new data values ​​are available. The control unit can be configured to control a consumer based on the data according to a control signal. For example, a state-of-charge sensor can send information about the battery's state of charge to the distribution unit. The control unit can then be configured to determine a control signal based on the received data regarding the battery's state of charge and thus control consumers in such a way that the supply of all consumers to be supplied via the distribution unit is enabled with the current battery charge level.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention relates to a bicycle with a distribution unit according to an embodiment of the previous aspect of the invention. The bicycle can be, for example, a pedelec, an electric mountain bike, or an electric cargo bike.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the bicycle can have a frame with a top tube, a battery, a drive unit, and a power consumer. In addition to the top tube, the frame can have a seat tube and a down tube. The battery can be located within the frame, specifically in the seat tube and, alternatively or additionally, in the down tube. The drive unit can be located at the junction between the seat tube and the down tube. The bicycle can have more than one power consumer. For example, the bicycle can have a front light, a rear light, a bell, and gear shifting as power consumers. The distribution unit can be located in the top tube. In particular, the distribution unit can be located at the front of the top tube, close to the junction between the top tube and the down tube.The distribution unit can be arranged in the top tube in such a way that a user interface of the distribution unit points upwards and towards the user sitting on the bicycle.

[0020] The power consumer can be indirectly connected to the battery via the 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 located at the junction of the seat tube and the down tube. The battery can be directly connected to it and located further up in the down tube. The distribution unit can be directly connected to it and located further up in the bicycle frame, specifically in the top tube. The front light can be directly connected to the distribution unit and, for example, mounted on the handlebars.

[0021] According to another embodiment, a first cable can run from the device to the distribution unit. Alternatively, several first cables can run from multiple devices to the distribution unit. For example, a first cable can run from the acoustic signaling device, such as the electric bell, horn, or other signaling device, to the distribution unit, and another first cable can run from the headlight to the distribution unit. These first cables from the devices to the distribution unit can be relatively short, especially if the devices are mounted on the handlebars, and easily accessible for maintenance and repair.

[0022] A second cable can run from the distribution unit to the battery. Specifically, the second cable can have a larger cross-section than the first cable to carry all the electrical energy intended for the devices connected to the distribution unit. The second cable can run entirely within the bicycle frame and be integrated into the frame. A third cable can run from the battery to the drive unit. The third cable can also run entirely within the bicycle frame, specifically within the lower part of the downtube. The first, second, and third cables can all serve as both power and data cables.

[0023] Advantageously, a bicycle can be shown where replacing or adding consumers is particularly easy, since a first cable can be easily replaced or added and there is no need to replace or add a direct cable from the consumer to the drive unit.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the drive unit comprises a drive motor and a motor control unit. The motor control unit can be configured to control the drive motor. In particular, the motor control unit can be configured to control only the drive motor. Specifically, the third cable can be solely a power cable and not a data cable, thus preventing the motor control unit from controlling other devices.

[0025] Advantageously, a bicycle can be shown, whereby consumers can be controlled independently of the engine control unit by the distribution unit. Brief description of the characters

[0026] Figure 1a shows a distribution unit according to one embodiment in a perspective view from above. Figure 1b shows a distribution unit according to one embodiment in a perspective view from below. Figure 2 schematically shows a distribution unit together with other connected components according to one embodiment. Figure 3 shows an electric bicycle with a distribution unit in the top tube according to one embodiment. Detailed description of embodiments

[0027] Figures 1a and 1b Figure 1 shows a distribution unit 2 according to one embodiment in a perspective view. The distribution unit 2 is installed in the top tube 6 of an electric bicycle 4, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 3The electric bicycle 4 has a bicycle frame 7 with a top tube 6. The electric bicycle 4 has a drive unit 30, which is arranged at a transition from a seat tube to a 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, 32c are installed in the down tube of the bicycle frame 7 and are difficult to access. The distribution unit 2 is arranged near a transition from the down tube to the top tube 6 of the bicycle frame 7. The electric bicycle 4 has a front light as a load 16. The load 16 is connected directly to the distribution unit 2 via a first cable 32a.The first cable 32a is easily accessible; for example, removing the distribution unit 2 is sufficient to detach the first cable 32a from the distribution unit 2 and remove it from the bicycle 4.

[0028] The distribution unit 2 has a user interface 8, which is located in Figure 1a The user interface 8 is a touchscreen display, and the touchscreen display is positioned on the top tube 6 so that a user sitting on the bicycle 4 can directly access the user interface 8. This is shown as an example in [reference to figure]. Figure 1b A power interface 12 of the distribution unit 2. The distribution unit 2 is connected via the power interface 12, as shown in Figure 2 shown, directly connected to battery 14 and consumer 16. The distribution unit 2 has a control unit 10, as shown in Figure 2schematically represented. The control unit 10 is configured to control the supply of electrical energy to the consumer 16 from the battery 14. For this purpose, the control unit 10 is configured to determine a control signal and to control the supply using this control signal.

[0029] The distribution unit 2 also includes an acceleration sensor 18. The acceleration sensor 18 and the control unit 10 are connected so that the control unit 10 can read data acquired by the acceleration sensor 18. The control unit 10 is configured to determine a control signal for controlling the consumer 16 based on the acceleration data.

[0030] The distribution unit 2 also has a charging interface 20. The charging interface 20 is designed as an inductive charging interface and is configured to charge a mobile device 22 with electrical energy from the battery 14. The charging interface 20 is arranged in the distribution unit 2 such that it is located close to the user interface 8, as shown in Figure 1a , the mobile device 22 can be charged. For this purpose, the distribution unit 2 and in particular the control unit 10 are configured to control the charging of the mobile device 22.

[0031] Furthermore, the distribution unit 2 has a data interface 24. The data interface 24 is designed as a radio interface and configured to operate data communication with the mobile device 22. The control unit 10 is configured to acquire and read data from the mobile device 22 via the data interface 24 and to control the consumer 16 based on this data according to a control signal to be determined. Thus, a user can input a user request via the mobile device, so that, for example, the front light (consumer 16) is switched on or off.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the user input for switching the front light on or off as consumer 16 is made via the user interface 8. The control unit 10 is configured to determine the control signal for controlling consumer 16 depending on the user input via the user interface 8.

[0033] Furthermore, the distribution unit 2 has a data interface 26. Another component 28 of the electric bicycle 4 includes, for example, a charge state sensor for determining the charge state of the battery 14. The control unit 10 is configured to control the front light as a consumer 16 depending on the data regarding the charge state of the battery 14 acquired by the component 28 as a charge state sensor. Thus, the control unit 10 is configured to dim the front light as a consumer 16 and thereby limit the electrical energy consumption of the consumer 16 when the charge state of the battery 14 is low.

[0034] Both from Figure 2 as well as from Figure 3It is evident that a continuous galvanic connection exists from drive unit 30 via battery 14 and further via distribution unit 2 to consumer 16. A direct galvanic connection, for example via a separate cable from consumer 16 to drive unit 30, is therefore unnecessary. Replacing or maintaining the first cable 32a and consumer 16 is thus facilitated, as consumer 16 and first cable 32a are more easily accessible than cables 32b and 32c. Reference sign

[0035] 2 Distribution unit 4 Electric bicycle 6 Top tube 7 Bicycle frame 8 User interface 10 Control unit 12 Power interface 14 Battery 16 Consumer 18 Accelerometer 20 Charging interface 22 Mobile device 24 Data interface 26 Data interface 28 Other component of the electric bicycle 30 Drive unit 32a First cable 32b Second cable 32c Third cable

Claims

1. Distribution unit (2) for an electric bicycle (4), wherein the distribution unit (2) is designed to be arranged in a 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) is able to be connected in terms of power to a battery (14) of the bicycle (4) via the power interface (12), wherein the distribution unit (2) is able to be connected in terms of power to a load (16) via the power interface (12), and wherein the control device (10) is configured to control the supply of electrical energy from the battery (14) to the load (16) via the distribution unit (2) according to a control signal, wherein the distribution unit (2) has a charging interface (20) for a mobile terminal (22), and the distribution unit (2) is configured to charge the mobile terminal (22) with electrical energy from the battery (14) via the charging interface (20), wherein the charging interface (20) has a magnet for a force-fitting connection to the mobile terminal (22).

2. Distribution unit (2) according to Claim 1, wherein the control device (10) is configured to read in acceleration data captured using an acceleration sensor (18), and wherein the control device (10) is configured to control a load (16) according to a control signal depending on the acceleration data.

3. Distribution unit (2) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution unit (2) has a data interface (24) for a mobile terminal (22), and wherein the distribution unit (2) is configured to receive data from the mobile terminal (22) via the data interface (24), and wherein the control device (10) is configured to read in the data received from the mobile terminal (22) and to control a load (16) according to a control signal depending on the read-in data.

4. Distribution unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution unit (2) has a user interface (8), and wherein the user interface (8) is configured to detect a user input and the control device (10) is configured to read in the detected user input and to control a load (16) according to a control signal depending on the user input.

5. Distribution unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution unit (2) has a data interface (26) that is configured to communicate with a further component (28) of the electric bicycle (4), and wherein the control device (10) is configured to read in data from the further component (28) of the electric bicycle (4) via the data interface (26), and wherein the control device (10) is configured to control a load (16) according to a control signal depending on the data.

6. Bicycle (4) having a distribution unit (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. Bicycle (4) according to Claim 6, which has a bicycle frame (7) with a top tube (6), a battery (14), a drive unit (30) and a load (16), wherein the distribution unit (2) is arranged in the top tube (6), wherein the battery (14) is arranged in the bicycle frame (7), and wherein the load (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. Bicycle (4) according to Claim 7, wherein a first cable (32a) leads from the load (16) to the distribution unit (2), and wherein a second cable (32b) leads from the distribution unit to the battery (14), and wherein a third cable (32c) leads from the battery (14) to the drive unit (30).

9. Bicycle (4) according to either of Claims 7 and 8, wherein the drive unit (30) has a drive motor and a motor control device, and wherein the motor control device is configured to control the drive motor (28).