System and method for controlling electric pedal assistance in a pedal-powered vehicle

Abstract

Title: System and Method for Controlling Electric Pedal Assist in a Pedal Vehicle The invention relates to a control system for electric pedal assist in a pedal vehicle (1) comprising: - a pedal vehicle (1) including a pedal assembly (11) and an electric motor (12) for electric pedal assist associated with the pedal assembly (11), the electric motor (12) having an operational state in which it is capable of producing electric pedal assist, and a de-energized state in which the electric pedal assist is inactive; - an electronic device (2) mounted on the pedal vehicle (1) and coupled to the electric motor (12), the electronic device (2) being parameterized to cause the electric motor (12) to switch between its operational state and its de-energized state, the electronic device (2) comprising a short-range, two-way telecommunications antenna (21). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: System and method for controlling electric pedal assistance in a pedal-powered vehicle. Technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of a system and a method for controlling an electric pedal assist of a pedal vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a system and a method designed to cause the electric pedal assist motor to switch between an operational state and an out-of-service state. State of the art

[0003] In the field of the invention, and more specifically of connected electric pedal vehicles, it is known of control systems implementing an electronic box permanently associated with the electric pedal vehicle to collect information about the pedal vehicle, control components of the pedal vehicle, or even to offer other services, such as for example to allow the geolocation of the pedal vehicle and the emission of an audible signal in case of suspected theft of the pedal vehicle.

[0004] These electronic boxes are equipped with antennas enabling the box to communicate with a computer server centralizing the data of the pedal vehicle, as well as the account of a user to whom the pedal vehicle is associated.

[0005] A user can basically access their account using their smartphone in order to manage their pedal vehicle.

[0006] For example, a user can unlock his pedal vehicle using a command sent from his smartphone, via the server, to the electronic box when he wants to use the pedal vehicle, or lock his pedal vehicle using a command sent from his smartphone, via the server, to the electronic box, when he has just parked his pedal vehicle and is walking away from it.

[0007] Experience has shown that such a design is not satisfactory. Indeed, it implies, in particular, that a user must always be in front of their smartphone to control their pedal vehicle.

[0008] Moreover, this design necessarily requires the involvement of the server for the retransmission of commands. Technical problem

[0009] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a control system for an electric assistance of an electric pedal vehicle that facilitates control of the pedal vehicle by a user, compared to control systems according to the prior art.

[0011] The invention also aims to provide such a system that does not necessarily require the use of a server during normal operation of the pedal vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0012] These objectives, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved through the invention, which relates to a control system for an electric assistance system of a pedal vehicle comprising: - a pedal vehicle comprising a pedal assembly and an electric assist motor associated with the pedal assembly, the electric motor having an operational state in which it is capable of producing electric assistance to pedaling, and a non-operational state in which the electric assistance to pedaling is inactive; - an electronic device mounted on the pedal vehicle and coupled to the electric motor, the electronic device being configured to cause the electric motor to switch between its operational state and its out-of-service state, the electronic device including a short-range two-way telecommunications antenna; characterized in that it comprises a portable electronic badge including a short-range two-way telecommunications antenna capable of communicating with the short-range two-way telecommunications antenna of the electronic device, the electronic badge being configured to transmit a presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunications antenna, and in that the electronic device is configured for: - periodically search for a presence message from the electronic badge via its short-range two-way telecommunications antenna; - establish a connection with the electronic badge upon receiving a presence message from the electronic badge; - allow the electric motor to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state following the establishment of a connection with the electronic badge; - cause the electric motor to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state following a loss of connection with the electronic badge.

[0013] Thanks to the system according to the invention, a user can access and use his pedal vehicle with the help of the electronic badge, without necessarily needing his smartphone.

[0014] The user, equipped with his electronic badge, simply has to approach his pedal vehicle for the electric motor to be switched into an operational state.

[0015] When moving away from his pedal vehicle, the user causes the electric motor to switch to its off-state due to the distance of the electronic badge from the electrical box of the pedal vehicle.

[0016] By its function, the portable electronic badge can easily have a smaller form than that of a smartphone, and can thus, for example, be continuously attached to the user's keys.

[0017] Preferably, the electronic badge is configured to periodically transmit the presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a smartphone including a short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna capable of communicating with the short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna of the electronic device, the electronic device being configured to also periodically transmit a presence message via its short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna, the smartphone being configured to periodically search for a presence message from the electronic device, and to establish a connection with the electronic device upon receiving a presence message from the electronic device, and the electronic device is configured to: - allow the electric motor to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state following the establishment of a connection with the smartphone; - cause the electric motor to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state following a loss of connection with the smartphone.

[0019] In this way, the user can also access their pedal vehicle and switch the electric motor to its operational state when they approach the pedal vehicle, with their smartphone on them, without needing to send a command via a computer server. Similar to the electronic badge, when the user moves away from the pedal vehicle, they then switch the electric motor to its inoperative state due to the smartphone moving away from the pedal vehicle's electronic control unit.

[0020] According to a preferred design, the electronic badge incorporates an identifier, and the electronic device includes a memory programmed with the identifier of the electronic badge, the electronic device being configured to establish a first pairing with the electronic badge upon receiving a presence message from the electronic badge, and following verification of the identifier of the electronic badge with that programmed in its memory.

[0021] The security of the connection between the electronic badge and the electronic box is reinforced.

[0022] Following the initial pairing, the electronic device and the electronic badge are linked to each other, and tend to reconnect to each other as soon as they approach each other.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the electric assistance of a pedal vehicle, the method implementing a control system for the electric assistance of a pedal vehicle comprising: - a pedal vehicle comprising a pedal assembly and an electric assist motor associated with the pedal assembly, the electric motor having an operational state in which it is capable of producing electric assistance to pedaling, and a non-operational state in which the electric assistance to pedaling is inactive; - an electronic device attached to the pedal vehicle, the electronic device being coupled to the electric motor and configured to cause the electric motor to switch between its operational and inoperative states, the electronic device comprising a short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna; characterized in that the system also comprises a portable electronic badge comprising a short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna capable of communicating with the short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna of the electronic device, the method comprising: - a search stage by the electronic device, in which the electronic device periodically searches for a presence message from the electronic badge via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna; - an announcement stage of the electronic badge, in which the electronic badge transmits a presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna; - a connection step between the electronic badge and the electronic device upon receipt of a presence message from the electronic badge by the electronic device; - an unlocking step, in which the electronic device allows the electric motor to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state, driven by the establishment of a connection between the electronic device and the electronic badge; - a locking step, in which the electronic device causes the electric motor to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state, the locking step being triggered by a loss of connection of the electronic device with the electronic badge.

[0024] This process offers the same advantages as the system previously described.

[0025] Preferably, during the electronic badge announcement stage, the electronic badge periodically emits its presence message.

[0026] According to a preferred feature, the system also implements a smartphone comprising a short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna capable of communicating with the short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna of the electronic device, the method comprising: - an announcement stage by the electronic device, in which the electronic device periodically emits a presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna; - a search step by the smartphone, in which the smartphone periodically searches for a presence message of the electronic device; And : - the unlocking step is also triggered by establishing the connection between the electronic device and the smartphone; - the locking step is also triggered by a loss of connection between the electronic device and the smartphone.

[0027] Advantageously, the locking step is not triggered as long as one of the electronic badge and the smartphone is still connected with the electronic device.

[0028] This prevents the locking step from being triggered when the user moves with their pedal vehicle while carrying their electronic badge, while their smartphone remains near the location where the pedal vehicle was parked.

[0029] Advantageously, the method includes a preliminary initial pairing step of the electronic badge with the electronic device, the preliminary initial pairing step comprising: - a sub-step of providing the electronic device with an identifier from the electronic badge; - a sub-step of positioning the electronic badge within an operational range of the short-range two-way telecommunications antennas of the electronic device and the electronic badge; - a sub-step of initial connection of the electronic device to the electronic badge; and in which, following the preliminary initial pairing step, the electronic device and the electronic badge retain a memory of this initial pairing, and the electronic device performs the search step when it is no longer connected to the electronic badge. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: • [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of a control system for an electric assistance of a pedal vehicle, according to the invention; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the control method according to the invention. Detailed description

[0031] As can be seen in [Fig.1], a control system for an electric assistance of a pedal vehicle 1.

[0032] The pedal vehicle 1 preferably corresponds to a bicycle as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0033] Alternatively, the pedal vehicle 1 can correspond to a tricycle, a rosalie.

[0034] According to the present embodiment, the system comprises a pedal vehicle 1, an electronic device 2 mounted on the pedal vehicle 1, a portable electronic badge 3, and a smartphone 4.

[0035] According to one possible embodiment, the system might not include a smartphone 4.

[0036] The pedal vehicle 1 comprises: - a crankset 11; - an electric motor 12 for electric assistance associated with the crankset 11; - an electric battery 13 supplying electricity to the electric motor 12, as well as other electrical components of the pedal vehicle 1; - a front steering wheel 14; - a rear drive wheel 15, coupled to the pedal assembly 11 and to the electric motor 12 to be driven in rotation; - a 16-inch handlebar; - a saddle 17.

[0037] The expression "associated with the crankset 11" means that the electric motor 12 is designed to provide electric assistance to pedaling. The electric motor 12 can be coupled directly or indirectly to the crankset 11. For example, the electric motor 12 could be mounted on the rear wheel 15.

[0038] In another conceivable embodiment, the front wheel 14 can be driven and the electric motor 12 would be mounted on this front wheel, or indirectly coupled to the front wheel 14 in order to drive it in rotation.

[0039] According to yet another conceivable embodiment, the electric motor 12 is integrated into a trailer towed by the pedal vehicle 1, and the electric pedal assistance results in a motorized drive of the wheels of the towed trailer, when the user of the pedal vehicle 1 pedals.

[0040] The electric motor 12 has an operational state, as well as a non-operational state.

[0041] In its operational state, the electric motor 12 can produce electric assistance to pedaling, for example by being requested by the user of the pedal vehicle 1 by means of pedaling and the detection of this pedaling by the electric motor 12, but also, for example and without limitation, by means of pressing on a switch positioned on the handlebar 16.

[0042] In its deactivated state, the electric pedal assist is inactive. This deactivation of the electric pedal assist can take several forms. For example, the electric motor 12 can simply stop, leaving the pedal assembly capable of rotating the drive wheel. In another example, the electric motor 12 can stop by disengaging the transmission between the pedal assembly and the drive wheel, the pedal assembly then spinning freely and being unable to drive the drive wheel. Other forms of deactivation are also possible.

[0043] The electronic device 2 is mounted on the pedal vehicle 1. This electronic device 2 can, for example, be integrated into the engine casing, into an internal volume of the frame, or into an accessory mounted on the pedal vehicle 1. It is conceivable that the electronic device 2 may simply be attached to the outside of the pedal vehicle 1.

[0044] The electronic device 2 comprises: - a 24-unit housing containing electronic components of electronic device 2; - a short-range two-way telecommunications antenna 21; - a memory 22; - an electronic processing unit 23; - a secondary 24V electric battery; - long-distance two-way telecommunication means 25.

[0045] This electronic device 2 is coupled to the electric motor 12. This coupling allows the electronic device 2 to communicate with the electric motor 12. For example, the electronic device 2 can collect technical information from the electric motor 12 and send commands to the electric motor 12.

[0046] As will subsequently appear, the electronic device 2 is configured to cause the electric motor 12 to switch between its operational state and its out-of-service state.

[0047] The parameters of the electronic device 2 are implemented by its electronic processing unit 23, and its memory 22. The electronic device 2 is connected to the electric motor 12 via a wired connection. It is also possible for the electronic device 2 to be connected to the electric motor 12 via wireless means.

[0048] The electronic device 2 is also coupled to the electric battery 13. This coupling allows the electronic device 2 to be powered by the electric battery 13. The secondary electric battery 24 is then designed to compensate for a loss of electric power from this electric battery 13, and to recharge itself as soon as an electric power supply is restored from this electric battery 13.

[0049] According to the present embodiment, coupling the electronic device 2 to the electric battery 13 also enables communication between these two elements. For example, the electronic device 2 can collect technical information from the electric battery 13 and send commands to the electric battery 13.

[0050] As detailed below, the electronic device 2 is configured to: - allow the electric motor 12 to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state following one or more predetermined events; - cause the electric motor 12 to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state following one or more predetermined events.

[0051] According to possible embodiments, the tilting of the electric motor 12 authorized by the electronic device 2 may be accompanied by one or a combination of the following actions: - unlocking a motorized padlock mounted on the pedal vehicle; - the activation of a control interface mounted, for example, on the handlebars; - the deactivation of an alarm mounted on the pedal vehicle.

[0052] Still with reference to [Fig.1], the electronic badge 3 is described more precisely below.

[0053] This electronic badge 3 is portable. By "portable," it is understood that this electronic badge 3 can easily be carried by a person using the pedal vehicle. For example, the electronic badge 3 may have the dimensions of an access badge for a house or garage. This electronic badge 3 may, for example, have dimensions comparable to those of a smart payment card. electronic or even a business card. The electronic badge 3 can also be miniaturized to minimize its size.

[0054] This electronic badge 3 includes: - an envelope 34; - a short-range two-way telecommunications antenna 31; - an electronic unit 32; - an electric accumulator 33, rechargeable or non-rechargeable.

[0055] The short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31 of the electronic badge 3 is designed, and suitable, to communicate with the short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 21 of the electronic device 2.

[0056] This electronic badge 3 is configured to transmit a presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31. This presence message is designed to be received by the electronic device 2 when the electronic badge 3 and the electronic device 2 of the pedal vehicle 1 are within range of each other.

[0057] In addition, the electronic device 2 is configured to: - periodically search for a presence message from the electronic badge 3 via its short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna 21; - establish a connection with the electronic badge 3 upon receiving a presence message from the electronic badge 3.

[0058] Following a connection between the electronic device 2 and the electronic badge 3, the electronic device 2 has two other settings which depend on the out-of-service or operational state in which the electric motor 12 is initially located. Indeed, the electronic device 2 is configured to: - allow the electric motor 12 to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state following the establishment of a connection with the electronic badge 3; - cause the electric motor 12 to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state following a loss of connection with the electronic badge 3.

[0059] In other words, when the electronic badge 3 is brought within connection range between the antennas 21, 31 of the electronic device 2 and the electronic badge 3, then the electronic device 2 causes the electric motor 12 to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state, and a disconnection, for example following the removal of the electronic badge 3 from the electronic device 2 causes the electric motor 12 to switch from the operational state to the out-of-service state.

[0060] According to one possible embodiment, the electronic badge 3 might not be equipped with an electric accumulator 33, and would be passive, being powered and activated by electromagnetic waves coming from the outside, i.e. from the device electronic 2, and captured by the short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31.

[0061] In this conceivable embodiment, the electronic badge 3 is configured to transmit a presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31 in response to a search message transmitted by the electronic device 2. Such a search message is transmitted by the electronic device 2 in accordance with its configuration, in which it periodically searches for a presence message from the electronic badge 3.

[0062] This configuration is notably implemented in the case of radio-frequency identification technology, most often referred to by the acronym RFID. In this configuration, the electronic badge 3 can be considered equivalent to a radio tag.

[0063] According to the present embodiment, the electronic badge 3 is of the "active" type and the electric accumulator 33 powers the electronic unit 32 without requiring the reception of electromagnetic waves by the short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31.

[0064] In this embodiment, the electronic badge 3 is then configured to periodically transmit a presence message via its short-range, two-way telecommunication antenna 31. The frequency is programmed in the electronic unit 32 of the electronic badge 3 and can, for example, be on the order of 5 seconds.

[0065] This configuration is implemented in particular in the case where the electronic badge 3 and the electronic device 2, and more specifically their antennas 31, 21, communicate via the telecommunications standard designated by the registered trademark "Bluetooth", which allows bidirectional exchange of data over short distances using UHF radio waves.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the electronic badge 3 incorporates an identifier. This identifier is programmed in particular into the electronic unit 32.

[0067] As mentioned previously, the electronic device 2 includes a memory 22. This memory 22 is then programmed with the identifier of the electronic badge 3 in order to allow its identification.

[0068] According to one conceivable embodiment, the identifier could be generic and writable in the electronic unit 32 of a plurality of electronic badges 2, the memory 22 of the electronic device 2 then being programmed with the generic identifier of the electronic badges 3 in order to allow the identification of each of these badges.

[0069] Alternatively, the identifier is unique to a single electronic badge 3.

[0070] Using this identifier or these identifiers, the electronic device 2 is configured to establish an initial pairing with the electronic badge 3 upon receiving a message from presence of electronic badge 3, and following verification of the identifier of electronic badge 3 with that programmed in its memory 22.

[0071] In this way, the electronic device 2 cannot be paired, and can only connect to a badge whose identifier has been previously programmed into its memory 22.

[0072] As mentioned previously, and according to the present embodiment, the system also includes a smartphone 4.

[0073] This iPhone 4 includes: - a short-range two-way telecommunications antenna 41; - electronic processing means 42; - long-distance two-way telecommunication means 43; - a 44-bit interface, including a touchscreen.

[0074] Interface 44 allows information to be entered into the smartphone and data to be viewed displayed in particular on the touch screen.

[0075] The electronic processing means 42 of the computer 4 are coupled to the short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna 41, the long-range bidirectional telecommunication means 43, and the interface 44.

[0076] The short-range two-way telecommunications antenna 41 of the computer phone is designed, and suitable, to communicate with the short-range two-way telecommunications antenna 21 of the electronic device 2.

[0077] According to the present embodiment, the smartphone 4, thanks to its long-range two-way telecommunication means 43, and the electronic device 2, thanks to its long-range two-way telecommunication means 25, are capable of exchanging data with a remote server (not shown). This allows, in particular, the smartphone to be connected to and / or exchange data with the electronic device 2 even when it is not near the pedal vehicle 1 and the short-range two-way telecommunication antennas 21, 41 are not sufficiently close to each other to establish a connection.

[0078] The smartphone 4 is configured to periodically search for a presence message from the electronic device 2, and to establish a connection with the electronic device 2 upon receiving a presence message from the electronic device 2.

[0079] In this embodiment, the electronic device 2 is also configured to periodically emit a presence message through its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 21.

[0080] The smartphone 4 and the electronic device 2, and more specifically their antennas 41, 21, communicate via the telecommunications standard designated by the registered trademark “Bluetooth, which enables bidirectional exchange of data over short distances using UHF radio waves.

[0081] It can be noted that, unlike the connection between the electronic device 2 and the electronic badge 3 resulting from the periodic search by the electronic device 2, here it is the smartphone 4 which performs a periodic search of the electronic device 2 to establish the connection.

[0082] Similar to the settings described above for the electronic badge 3, the electronic device 2 is configured to: - allow the electric motor 12 to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state following the establishment of a connection with the smartphone 4; - cause the electric motor 12 to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state following a loss of connection with the smartphone 4.

[0083] With reference to [Fig.2], the method of controlling an electric assistance of a pedal vehicle 1, of the control system previously described and represented on [Fig.1], is now described.

[0084] According to the present embodiment, the process includes a preliminary step of initial pairing of the electronic badge 3 with the electronic device 2.

[0085] The preliminary initial pairing step includes: - a sub-step of providing the electronic device 2 with an identifier of the electronic badge 3; - a sub-step of positioning the electronic badge 3 within an operational range of the short-range two-way telecommunication antennas 21, 31 of the electronic device 2 and the electronic badge 3; - a sub-step of initial connection of the electronic device 2 to the electronic badge 3.

[0086] The positioning substep can be likened to the situation Al illustrated in [Fig.2], in which the electronic badge 3 is located within the perimeter PI corresponding to the operational range of the short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 21 of the electronic device 2, and in which the electronic device 2 is located within the perimeter P2 corresponding to the operational range of the short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31 of the electronic badge 3.

[0087] Following these sub-steps, the electronic badge 3 is connected for the first time to the electronic device 2 of the pedal vehicle 1.

[0088] This state is illustrated by situation A2 in [Fig.2], where a bidirectional connection C is established between the electronic badge 3 and the electronic device 2.

[0089] The preliminary initial pairing step can be carried out using the smartphone 4, used as an intermediary to load information, including the identifier of the electronic badge 3, to the electronic device 2.

[0090] In situation A2, the bidirectional connection C resulted in an unlocking step, in which the electronic device 2 allows the electric motor 12 to switch from its out-of-service state KO to its operational state OK.

[0091] When it is no longer connected to the electronic badge 3, as illustrated by situation A3 following situation A2, a locking step is triggered, in which the electronic device 2 causes the electric motor 12 to switch from its OK operational state to its KO out-of-service state.

[0092] Following the preliminary initial pairing step, the electronic device 2 and the electronic badge 3 retain a memory of this initial pairing.

[0093] Situation E0 can then be observed, with the electric motor 12 being in a KO out-of-service state.

[0094] In this situation E0, the method implements an announcement step of the electronic badge 3. During this announcement step, the electronic badge 3 emits a presence message MP through its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31.

[0095] According to the present embodiment, and as mentioned previously, the electronic badge 3 is of the "active" type and periodically emits its presence message MP.

[0096] In other words, the electronic badge 3 announces its presence periodically.

[0097] This announcement step continues as long as the electronic badge 3 is not connected to the electronic device 2.

[0098] In situation E0, the method also implements a search step by the electronic device 2, in which the electronic device 2 periodically searches (search illustrated by reference RP) for a presence message from the electronic badge 3 via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 21.

[0099] In situation El, the electronic badge 3 is located in the perimeter PI corresponding to the operational range of the short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 21 of the electronic device 2, and the electronic device 2 is located in the perimeter P2 corresponding to the operational range of the short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 31 of the electronic badge 3.

[0100] The method then implements a connection step between the electronic badge 3 and the electronic device 2 upon receipt of a presence message MP from the electronic badge 3 by the electronic device 2.

[0101] Following the establishment of a connection between the electronic device 2 and the electronic badge 3, the method implements an unlocking step. In this unlocking step, the electronic device 2 allows the electric motor 12 to switch from its inoperative state (KO) to its operational state (OK). The pedal vehicle 1 then has operational electric pedal assistance.

[0102] Situation E2 can then be observed. A bidirectional connection C is active between the electronic badge 3 and the electronic device 2, and the electric motor is in its OK operational state.

[0103] If a loss of connection were to occur between the electronic device 2 and the electronic badge 3, the situation E3 would then be observed.

[0104] In this situation, the method implements a locking step. In this locking step, the electronic device 2 causes the electric motor 12 to switch from its OK operating state to its KO out-of-service state. The pedal vehicle 1 no longer has operational electric pedal assistance.

[0105] The process then re-implements the electronic badge announcement step 3 and the search step by the electronic device 2. The E0 situation can be identified again.

[0106] According to the present embodiment, and as mentioned previously, the system implements a smartphone 4. The process then implements the steps described below.

[0107] In situation E0, the process also implements: - an announcement step via electronic device 2; - a search step using the smartphone 4.

[0108] In the announcement stage by the electronic device 2, the electronic device 2 periodically transmits a presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna 21. Unlike the operation with the electronic badge 3, here it is the electronic device 2 that announces its presence.

[0109] In the search step by the computer 4, the computer 4 periodically searches for this message of presence of the electronic device 2.

[0110] In this configuration, the unlocking step is also triggered by the establishment of the connection of the electronic device 2 with the smartphone 4, and the locking step is also triggered by a loss of connection of the electronic device 2 with the smartphone 4.

[0111] Either of the electronic badge 3 and the smartphone 4 can then be used to activate or deactivate the electric pedal assist. Thus, the method is designed so that the locking step is not triggered as long as either of the electronic badge 3 and the smartphone 4 is still connected to the electronic device 2.

[0112] The previously described settings (loss of connection of the electronic device 2 with the electronic badge 3 or with the smartphone 4) causing the electric motor 12 to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state, can also be associated with other predetermined events.

[0113] These other predetermined events may consist of checking safety conditions such as the stopping of the pedal vehicle 1 (the vehicle is no longer moving forward), and / or the absence of movement of the pedal vehicle 1 (the vehicle is not being handled).

[0114] The control system for an electric assistance of an electric pedal vehicle, and the method implemented, facilitate the control of the pedal vehicle by a user, particularly in relation to prior art control systems which necessarily involve a connection to a remote server.

Claims

1. Demands Control system for an electric assist system for a pedal vehicle (1) comprising: - a pedal vehicle (1) comprising a pedal assembly (11) and an electric motor (12) for electric assistance associated with the pedal assembly (11), the electric motor (12) having an operational state in which it is capable of producing electric assistance for pedaling, and a non-operational state in which the electric assistance for pedaling is inactive; - an electronic device (2) mounted on the pedal vehicle (1) and coupled to the electric motor (12), the electronic device (2) being configured to cause the electric motor (12) to switch between its operational state and its out-of-service state, the electronic device (2) comprising a short-range two-way telecommunication antenna (21); characterized in that it comprises a portable electronic badge (3) including a short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna (31) capable of communicating with the short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna (21) of the electronic device (2), the electronic badge (3) being configured to transmit a presence message via its short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna (31), and in that the electronic device (2) is configured to: - periodically search for a presence message from the electronic badge (3) via its short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna (21); - establish a connection with the electronic badge (3) upon receiving a presence message from the electronic badge (3); - allow the electric motor (12) to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state following the establishment of a connection with the electronic badge (3); - cause the electric motor (12) to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state following a loss of connection with the electronic badge (3); and in that the electronic badge (3) is configured to periodically transmit the presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunications antenna (31), and in that it includes a smartphone (4) comprising a short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna (41) capable of communicating with the short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna (21) of the electronic device (2), the electronic device (2) being configured to also periodically transmit a presence message through its short-range bidirectional telecommunication antenna (21), the smartphone (4) being configured to periodically search for a presence message from the electronic device (2), and to establish a connection with the electronic device (2) upon receiving a presence message from the electronic device (2), and in that the electronic device (2) is configured to: - allow the electric motor (12) to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state following the establishment of a connection with the smartphone (4); - cause the electric motor (12) to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state following a loss of connection with the smartphone (4).

2. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electronic badge (3) incorporates an identifier, and in that the electronic device (2) includes a memory (22) programmed with the identifier of the electronic badge (3), the electronic device (2) being parameterized to establish a first pairing with the electronic badge (3) upon receipt of a presence message from the electronic badge (3), and following verification of the identifier of the electronic badge (3) with that programmed in its memory (22).

3. Method for controlling an electric assistance of a pedal vehicle (1), the method implementing a control system for an electric assistance of a pedal vehicle (1) comprising: - a pedal vehicle (1) comprising a pedal assembly (11) and an electric motor (12) for electric assistance associated with the pedal assembly (11), the electric motor (12) having an operational state in which it is capable of producing electric assistance for pedaling, and a non-operational state in which the electric assistance for pedaling is inactive; - an electronic device (2) attached to the pedal vehicle (1), the device being coupled to the electric motor (12) and configured to cause the electric motor (12) to switch between its operational state and its out-of-service state, the electronic device (2) includes a short-range two-way telecommunication antenna (21); characterized in that the system also comprises a portable electronic badge (3) including a short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna (31) capable of communicating with the short-range bidirectional telecommunications antenna (21) of the electronic device (2), the method comprising: - a search step by the electronic device (2), in which the electronic device (2) periodically searches for a presence message from the electronic badge (3) via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna (21); - an electronic badge (3) announcement step, in which the electronic badge (3) emits a presence message via its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna (31); - a connection step between the electronic badge (3) and the electronic device (2) upon receipt of a presence message from the electronic badge (3) by the electronic device (2); - an unlocking step, in which the electronic device (2) allows the electric motor (12) to switch from its out-of-service state to its operational state, driven by the establishment of a connection between the electronic device (2) and the electronic badge (3); - a locking step, in which the electronic device (2) causes the electric motor (12) to switch from its operational state to its out-of-service state, the locking step being triggered by a loss of connection of the electronic device (2) with the electronic badge (3), and in that during the electronic badge (3) announcement step, the electronic badge (3) periodically transmits its presence message, and in that the system also implements a smartphone (4) comprising a short-range, two-way telecommunications antenna (41) capable of communicating with the antenna (21) of short-range two-way telecommunication of the electronic device (2), the method comprising: - an announcement stage by the electronic device (2), in which the electronic device (2) periodically emits a presence message through its short-range two-way telecommunication antenna (21); - a search step by the smartphone (4), in which the smartphone (4) periodically searches for a presence message of the electronic device (2); and in that: - the unlocking step is also triggered by the establishment of the connection of the electronic device (2) with the smartphone (4); - the locking step is also triggered by a loss of connection of the electronic device (2) with the smartphone (4).

4. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking step is not driven as long as one of the electronic badge (3) and the smartphone (4) is still connected with the electronic device (2).

5. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a preliminary initial pairing step of the electronic badge (3) with the electronic device (2), the preliminary initial pairing step comprising: - a sub-step of providing the electronic device (2) with an identifier of the electronic badge (3); - a sub-step of positioning the electronic badge (3) within an operational range of the short-range two-way telecommunication antennas (21, 31) of the electronic device (2) and the electronic badge (3); - a sub-step of initial connection of the electronic device (2) to the electronic badge (3); and in which, following the preliminary initial pairing step, the electronic device (2) and the electronic badge (3) retain a memory of this initial pairing, and the electronic device (2) performs the search step when it is no longer connected to the electronic badge (3).

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