Pressure balancing device for mobility device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure balancing device (100) for a mobility device, arranged at an opening (90) of the housing (30) of an electric assistance device comprising at least one electric motor (2), the device being formed by a closing element (91), itself comprising at least one cap opening (92), the opening is protected by a membrane (905) arranged at the internal face (901) of the closing element (91) so as to cover at least one cap opening (92). Figure to be published with the abstract: 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Pressure balancing device for mobility device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of pressure balancing devices, and more particularly a pressure balancing device for an electrical assistance device housing for a mobility device using at least one electric propulsion, and for example an electrically assisted bicycle.

[0002] For its proper functioning, the electric assistance device is placed in an oil-type fluid. One effect of the presence of this fluid is the increase in pressure in the housing, caused either by the heating of the fluid or by natural variations in external pressure, in particular due to altitude. It is therefore necessary to evacuate this excess pressure while preventing oil from escaping or dust from entering the housing.

[0003] It is known to use engine pressure balancing devices for motor vehicles. The disadvantage of these prior art devices is that they are not intended to be used in any position, and are therefore not usable in mobility devices such as, for example, electrically assisted bicycles.

[0004] Indeed, an electrically assisted mobility device may, in certain cases, be in positions other than the standard rolling position, that is to say the position where the opening of the device is above the liquid level, so that the oil cannot escape from the housing. For example, during repair or transport, the device may be placed upside down or lying on its side, and in this case the known devices can no longer play their role of pressure balancing because they are immersed in the oil. In addition, this leads to oil leaks through the device itself.

[0005] The present invention therefore aims to overcome one or more of the drawbacks of the devices of the prior art by proposing a pressure balancing device suitable for all mobility devices.

[0006] For this purpose, the present invention proposes a pressure balancing device for a mobility device, arranged at an opening in the housing of an electric assistance device comprising at least one electric motor, the device being formed by a closing element, itself comprising at least one cap opening, the opening being protected by a membrane arranged at the internal face of the closing element so as to cover at least one cap opening.

[0007] Such a device according to the invention thus makes it possible to regulate the pressure in the housing the mobility device housing regardless of its use or position, while preventing oil leaks.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the membrane is a gore-tex® membrane.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure element comprises an internal clip-type rim, arranged at the internal face of the closure element.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing element is glued to the housing.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing element is made of polymer.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressure balancing device has a circular seal to provide a seal between the closing element and the housing.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressure balancing device is arranged at one or other of the ends of the shaft.

[0014] The invention also relates to a mobility device, in particular an electrically assisted mobility device, comprising a pressure balancing device according to the invention.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine is an electrically assisted bicycle.

[0016] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood and will appear more clearly on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended figures, given by way of example and in which: - [Fig.l] is a view of a mobility device according to one aspect of the invention, - [Fig.2] illustrates the transmission assembly of the mobility device of [Fig.l], - [Fig. 3] is an elevation view along a first face of the interior of the housing of the transmission system according to the invention, - [Fig.4] is a sectional view of a pressure regulating device according to the invention.

[0017] [Fig.l] illustrates a mobility device 1 according to one aspect of the invention. The device 1 is here an electrically assisted bicycle comprising an electric motor 2. The electric motor 2 is arranged to provide part of the propulsion of the device. It comprises at least one shaft 96 drilled 98 and bearings 97 arranged at each end 96 of the shaft, as well as a rotor and stator.

[0018] The bicycle comprises at least two wheels 3, 3' to which a driving force is supplied, by means of two pedals rotating around a crank axle of axis Xp [Fig.2] which drives the rear wheel for example by a chain, or any other means of transmission when in use.

[0019] The machine 1 also comprises a control unit 4 as well as several sensors 5, 5', 5”, located for example at the level of the pedals, on the frame of the bicycle or at the level of a wheel 3, 3'.

[0020] The machine 1 shown here also comprises an energy storage device in the form of a battery 6, a lighting system 7, a pedal assembly 8 with an Xp axis [Fig. 2], a location and / or navigation system 40 as well as a human-machine interface system 41 comprising in particular a touch screen capable of displaying information for and / or taking into account the requests of said user. The human-machine interface system 41 is in particular connected to the location system 40 and serves as a navigation interface. The invention is not limited to a particular human-machine interface system, and may comprise any system known to those skilled in the art.

[0021] The wheels 3, 3' are equipped with a braking system 31, including in particular disc brakes 32.

[0022] The machine 1 comprises an electric assistance device and for example a transmission assembly 10 illustrated [Fig.2]. The transmission assembly 10 comprises a speed change device 20 according to the invention and the electric motor 2 to provide part of the power for the propulsion of the machine 1.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the transmission assembly 10 is at least partly housed in a housing 30 here positioned at the level of the crankset 8 whose axis Xp coincides with the output axis Xv of the speed change device 20.

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates according to a first face 101 the housing 30 in detail of mobility device 1 of [Fig.l].

[0025] The housing 30 of the gear change assembly comprises a casing 301 delimiting a first housing 302 arranged to house the gears of the gear change device 20. The casing 301 also delimits several other housings, distinct from one another. The housings 303, 304, 305, and 306 are arranged to house respectively the electric motor 2, the reducer, the gear change actuator and the control unit of the mobility device. The housing 30 is sealed.

[0026] In the context of the invention, oil or any equivalent liquid is placed in the housing. This oil is necessary for the operation of the gears of the speed change device.

[0027] In certain cases, for example during use or depending on the storage areas of the bicycle, the temperature of the oil increases, which increases the pressure in the housing 30.

[0028] In the context of the invention, to regulate the pressure inside the housing 30, the housing comprises a pressure balancing device 100 illustrated [Fig.4].

[0029] The first face 101 is closed by a cover not visible in these figures.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, the second face 200 of the housing, that is to say the one opposite the first face 101, comprises at least one visible casing opening 90 [Fig. 4]. More precisely, the housing comprises a casing opening 90 at the end 99 of the shaft 96 of the electric motor 2.

[0031] In the context of the invention, this casing opening 90 is closed by the pressure balancing device 100. In the context of the invention, the pressure balancing device is formed by a closing element 91, of the cover or cap type, itself comprising at least one cap opening 92 and for example 2, 3, 4 or 5 plug openings. This makes it possible to regulate the pressure by allowing communication between the interior and the interior of the housing.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cap opening 92 is protected by a membrane 905 arranged at the level of the internal face 901 of the closure element 91. The internal face 901 is the face in contact with the interior of the housing. The membrane 905 is arranged so as to cover at least one cap opening 92, and for example all the openings.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the membrane 905 is a gore-tex® membrane.

[0034] Thus, during a situation which will increase the pressure in the housing, or decrease it, the pressure balance is achieved thanks to the pressure balancing device 100. The gas escapes or penetrates through the membrane 905 while the oil is blocked.

[0035] Such a device according to the invention thus makes it possible to regulate the pressure in the housing of the mobility device regardless of its use or position, while preventing oil leaks.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure element 91 comprises an internal clip-type rim 902, arranged on the internal face of the closure element 91. This rim 902 serves to clip the closure element 91 onto the casing. According to one embodiment of the invention, the casing thus comprises another rim 903 cooperating with the rim 902 of the closure element 91. The closure element is thus held in place by the clip-type rim.

[0037] The clip system allows the membrane to be removed or put on quickly and easily.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the invention, the closing element 91 is glued to the casing.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing element 91 is in polymer.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seal between the closing element 91 and the casing is achieved with a circular seal 904 arranged on the periphery. This makes it possible to prevent leaks and to maintain good lubrication of the engine, without tightening.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressure balancing device is arranged at one or other of the ends of the shaft 96. This makes it possible to adapt the device according to the environment of the housing so that it remains accessible.

[0042] The invention also relates to a mobility device comprising a pressure balancing device 100 according to the invention, and for example an electrically assisted bicycle.

[0043] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the details given above and allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, and may be modified without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Pressure balancing device (100) for a mobility device, arranged at an opening (90) of the housing (30) of an electric assistance device comprising at least one electric motor (2), the device being formed by a closing element (91), itself comprising at least one cap opening (92), the opening is protected by a membrane (905) arranged at the internal face (901) of the closing element (91) so as to cover at least one cap opening (92).

2. A pressure balancing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the membrane (905) is a gore-tex ® membrane.

3. Pressure balancing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the closure element (91) comprises an internal clip-type rim (902), arranged at the internal face (901) of the closure element (91).

4. Pressure balancing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the closing element (91) is glued to the housing.

5. Pressure balancing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the closing element (91) is made of polymer.

6. Pressure balancing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a circular seal (904) making it possible to seal between the closing element (91) and the housing.

7. Pressure balancing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, arranged at one or other of the ends of the shaft (96).

8. Mobility device (1), in particular electrically assisted mobility device, comprising a pressure balancing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

9. Mobility device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the device (1) is an electrically assisted bicycle.

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