Method, apparatus, and bicycle for providing push assist on a bicycle assisted in a motorized manner

Abstract

【Solution】 The present invention relates to a method (10) for providing motorized assistance on a bicycle; it includes that the walking assist is activated (22) in response to the presence of a request for providing walking assist, where the walking assist is activated only when the inclination angle of the bicycle is below a set threshold, and as long as there is a request for providing walking assist, after the activation of the walking assist, the walking assist is provided (12) by a motor (3) of the bicycle (1), and at this time, the provision of the walking assist by the motor is also performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle is increasing beyond the set threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing a push assist in a bicycle assisted by a motor.

Background Art

[0002] In electric bicycles, so-called e-bikes, it is known that a push assist is provided. It is provided especially at speeds up to 6 km / h and leads to a motor-assisted support for the driver even when the driver is not pedaling. However, for safety reasons, this function is immediately stopped as soon as it is recognized that the bicycle is in an upside-down position. This applies, for example, when the bicycle is turned over at the factory for tire replacement.

[0003] Often electric bicycles are also used where there is no paved road. In that case, it may also happen that obstacles have to be overcome, which requires lifting the front wheel and pulling the handlebars towards oneself.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The method of the present invention for providing a push assist in a bicycle assisted by a motor includes that the push assist is activated in response to the presence of a request for providing the push assist, where the push assist is activated only when the inclination angle of the bicycle is below a set threshold value, and that as long as there is a request for providing the push assist, the push assist is provided by the motor of the bicycle after activation of the push assist, where the provision of the push assist by the motor is also carried out when the inclination angle of the bicycle is increasing beyond the set threshold value.

[0005] Furthermore, the method of the present invention for providing a push assist in a motor-assisted bicycle comprises that the push assist is activated in response to the presence of a request for providing the push assist, and that the push assist is provided by the motor of the bicycle after activation of the push assist regardless of the inclination angle of the bicycle as long as the request for providing the push assist exists.

[0006] The device of the present invention for providing a push assist in a motor-assisted bicycle includes a control unit which is set up to activate the push assist in response to the presence of a request for providing the push assist, where the push assist is activated only when the inclination angle of the bicycle is below a set threshold value, and which is set up to provide the push assist by the motor of the bicycle after activation of the push assist as long as the request for providing the push assist exists, where the provision of the push assist by the motor is also carried out when the inclination angle of the bicycle is increasing beyond the set threshold value.

[0007] Furthermore, the device of the present invention for providing a push assist in a motor-assisted bicycle includes a control unit which is set up to activate the push assist in response to the presence of a request for providing the push assist, and which is set up to provide the push assist by the motor of the bicycle after activation of the push assist regardless of the inclination angle of the bicycle as long as the request for providing the push assist exists.

[0008] According to the method of the present invention, even when the tilt angle of the bicycle increases beyond the threshold value, it is possible to provide a walking assist, which is particularly applicable when the bicycle is tilted upside down. In this way, for the driver of the bicycle, it is possible to firmly hold the handlebars of the bicycle and, under the walking assist provided by activation, lift the front wheel of the bicycle by driving the bicycle with the rear wheel until the bicycle is almost completely in an upside-down position. At this time, the rear wheel overtakes the front wheel until the rear wheel of the bicycle moves to the most forward position under the front wheel. In this way, the bicycle can be moved by the driver like a unicycle, at which time the bicycle is resting on the ground only on the rear wheel and is held by the driver with the handlebars.

[0009] When the bicycle is being moved towards the wall by the rear wheel, the user can press the rear wheel of the bicycle against the wall, and the rear part first moves upward along the wall. At this time, the side of the bicycle facing away from the wall is held by the driver. When reaching the upper edge of the wall, the driver can place the bicycle on the surface separated by the wall, and the driver can also climb the wall without the bicycle.

[0010] In this way, a climbing assist for the bicycle is provided by the method of the present invention.

[0011] At this time, the push assist is a function of the bicycle in which the bicycle is driven forward by the motor of the bicycle even when the driver is not applying force to the pedals of the bicycle. That is, the push assist is suitable for assisting the driver when pushing the bicycle. This is preferably performed when requested by the driver of the bicycle, that is, when a request for providing the push assist is provided. The request for providing the push assist can be issued in various ways, for example, by the driver pressing a button or generally operating an operating member. When the request for providing the push assist is issued by the driver, the push assist is activated and then continuously provided until the request for providing the push assist no longer exists.

[0012] However, the push assist is initially activated only when the inclination angle of the bicycle is below a set threshold value. This means that the push assist is activated only when the bicycle is not tilted to the extent of being upside down. The set threshold value defines how much the inclination angle exceeds before the bicycle is considered to be upside down. At this time, the inclination angle is, in particular, the angle between the horizontal line and the long axis of the bicycle.

[0013] Once the push - walking assist is activated, it is continuously provided as long as there is a request for the provision of the push - walking assist required by the driver. Even when the inclination angle of the bicycle increases beyond the set threshold value, the push - walking assist continues to be provided. Thus, the check of the inclination angle regarding the set threshold value is preferably executed only once when activating the push - walking assist and is not re - checked during subsequent operations of the push - walking assist. This preferably results in the push - walking assist being provided only when the bicycle is upside - down but has been tilted to that position by the already - activated push - walking assist. Thereby, in a factory situation, for example, it is possible to prevent the push - walking assist from being accidentally activated. Because in a factory, the bicycle is typically in an upside - down position when the push - walking assist tries to be accidentally activated, and thus the inclination angle of the bicycle exceeds the set threshold value. At the same time, when the push - walking assist is intentionally activated, the push - walking assist can continue to be provided even when the bicycle is tilted beyond the set threshold value. In this way, the auxiliary of the rear wheel by the motor can be guaranteed even when the bicycle is in a tilted position, and it can be moved to lift by pressing the rear wheel of the bicycle against the wall.

[0014] Separate from the above, the method according to the present invention also provides a push - walking assist that functions regardless of the inclination angle of the bicycle. This is done by activating the push - walking assist in response to the presence of a request for the provision of the push - walking assist, and by providing the push - walking assist by the motor of the bicycle after the activation of the push - walking assist regardless of the inclination angle of the bicycle as long as there is a request for the provision of the push - walking assist. Such an embodiment enables the push - walking assist to be used in many aspects and assists the driver in various situations.

[0015] A method for providing a walking assist also provides a walking assist that assists a user, particularly when the inclination angle of the bicycle is greater than the inclination angle of the ground. At this time, the walking assist provided by the motor is also performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle is greater than the inclination angle of the ground.

[0016] Accordingly, a method for providing a walking assist also provides a walking assist that assists a user, particularly when the inclination angle of the bicycle is large enough that the bicycle is resting on the ground only on the rear wheel and is held by the driver with the handlebars. At this time, the walking assist provided by the motor is also performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle is large enough that the bicycle is resting on the ground only on the rear wheel and is held by the driver with the handlebars. In response to the absence of a request for providing a walking assist, it is preferable to stop providing the walking assist by the motor of the bicycle. In this way, in an unintended situation or when the walking assist is no longer required, the driver of the bicycle can accurately stop the walking assist.

[0017] It is preferable that renewed activation of the pushing assist occurs after the provision of the pushing assist has been stopped. The renewed activation is performed in response to the renewed existence of a request for the provision of the pushing assist. At this time, even when the inclination angle of the bicycle exceeds a set threshold value, the pushing assist is renewedly activated. For example, in some situations, when the rear wheel of the bicycle is lifted along a wall, it may be necessary for the driver to change the way of holding the bicycle. Such a change of the driver may lead to the inability to continuously issue a request for the provision of the pushing assist because the driver has to release the hand from a button provided for that purpose. Therefore, it is preferable that the renewed activation of the pushing assist, that is, the activation of the pushing assist after it has been activated once, is performed regardless of the inclination angle that is occurring. At this time, the renewed activation of the pushing assist is particularly performed regardless of the inclination angle that is occurring when the pushing assist has been activated previously and less time than a predefined time span has elapsed since the pushing assist was activated or deactivated. As an alternative or addition thereto, at this time, the renewed activation of the pushing assist is performed regardless of the inclination angle that is occurring when the bicycle had an inclination angle exceeding a set threshold value at the time of the previous activation of the pushing assist.

[0018] Furthermore, the method preferably includes that a time interval is detected after there is no longer a request for providing a push assist, and as a reaction to the renewed existence of a request for providing a push assist, the push assist is reactivated after the provision of the push assist has been stopped. At this time, the renewed activation of the push assist is also performed when the time interval until the request for providing the push assist exists is shorter than or equal to a pre-defined time span, or when the inclination angle of the bicycle exceeds a set threshold value. And the renewed activation of the push assist is only performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle is below the set threshold value when the time interval until the request for providing the push assist exists is longer than the pre-defined time span. This means that once the request for providing the push assist by the driver is stopped, the detection of the time interval is started, for example, by a timer. When the detected time interval is relatively short, that is, shorter than or equal to the pre-defined time span, no renewed check is made as to whether the inclination angle of the bicycle exceeds the set threshold value before the renewed activation of the push assist. When the time interval is relatively long, that is, longer than or equal to the pre-defined time span, it is checked whether the inclination angle of the bicycle is below the set threshold value before the renewed activation of the push assist, and the push assist is activated only if this is the case. In other words, this means that when the driver's request for providing the push assist is stopped for a short time, the push assist can be reactivated even when the bicycle is in an upside-down position. However, when the request for providing the push assist is stopped for a longer period of time, it is assumed that it is unclear what situation the bicycle is in, for example, whether the climbing process is still ongoing. Therefore, it is checked again whether the inclination angle of the bicycle is below the set threshold value.

[0019] Furthermore, in response to the absence of a request for providing a walking assist, it is preferable that the prevention or braking of the backward movement of the bicycle is performed by providing torque by the motor. The prevention or braking of the backward movement of the bicycle is particularly provided by a so-called hill-hold function. When the request for providing a walking assist is aborted, it is preferable that the walking assist is not replaced by a freewheel of the rear wheel, but rather it is continuously ensured that the bicycle does not unexpectedly move towards the walking driver, not only when the bicycle is being walked on flat ground or a slight uphill slope, but also when a climbing process by the bicycle is being performed. This is achieved by preventing or braking the backward movement of the bicycle. At this time, particularly by the motor of the bicycle, torque acting opposite to the downhill movement of the bicycle is provided.

[0020] It is likewise preferable that a request for providing a walking assist exists when a pre-defined user action is performed, particularly when the key is operated by the user. However, various user actions are conceivable. For example, a walking assist by placing a hand on the sensor may be preferable in some cases.

[0021] Furthermore, the inclination angle is preferably the angle between the horizontal line and the longitudinal axis of the bicycle, and at this time the threshold value is greater than or equal to 45 degrees. It is even more preferable that the threshold value is greater than or equal to 45 degrees. In any case, it is preferable that the threshold value is selected such that when the inclination angle of the bicycle exceeds the threshold value, the normal running of the bicycle becomes impossible. The inclination angle preferably increases when the front wheel of the bicycle is lifted starting from 0 degrees.

[0022] Under the motor-actuated walking assist, it is preferable that continuous forward driving of the rear wheel of the bicycle is induced. Accordingly, when the rear wheel of the bicycle is used as a climbing assist by pressing the rear wheel against the surface, the rear wheel of the bicycle is continuously lifted along the surface.

[0023] The method according to the invention is preferably implemented by means of the device according to the invention.

[0024] Even more preferably, there is a bicycle comprising the device according to the invention. Such a bicycle has all the advantages of the device according to the invention. At this time, the bicycle divides the rear wheel of the bicycle into a circumferential angle of 360 degrees around the rear axle of the bicycle, and when the contact point between the running surface and the rear wheel is 0 degrees and the rearmost point of the rear wheel is 90 degrees, it is preferably manufactured so that the structural members of the bicycle are not arranged outside the circumference of the rear wheel in the angular range of the circumferential angle from 0 degrees to 135 degrees. This is achieved in particular by the bicycle not having mudguards and / or a carrier, or by these structural members being appropriately limited with respect to their respective sizes. In this way, the bicycle can be tilted by the driver about the rear axle, and in this case, as long as the bicycle is moving along a horizontal surface or along a rising surface, it is ensured that no collision occurs between the structural members of the bicycle and the running surface. In this way, for example, it is prevented that when the bicycle is tilted, the mudguard of the bicycle hits the ground, and accordingly the functional range of the climbing assist is restricted.

[0025] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show the following.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Figure 1 shows an electric bicycle 1 in which a device for providing motor assistance to the bicycle 1 is arranged. This device includes a control unit 2 by which the method according to the invention is implemented.

[0028] A motor 3 is arranged on the bicycle 1 by which the rear wheel 7 of the bicycle 1 is driven. Further, a key 4 is arranged on the bicycle 1 by which a request for providing push - walking assistance can be issued by the driver of the bicycle 1, and as long as the key 4 is operated by the driver, there is a request for providing push - walking assistance.

[0029] The device of the present invention provides climbing assistance for the bicycle 1. For example, in particular, even when the bicycle 1 is tilted to such an extent that it has an inclination angle exceeding a set threshold value, it is possible to provide push - walking assistance. That is, the bicycle 1 can be tilted well beyond the rear axle 6 without the push - walking assistance being deactivated. This enables the handling of the bicycle 1 as shown in Figure 2.

[0030] For example, when the driver 30 reaches a flat surface located high beyond the wall portion 31, the driver gets off the bicycle 1. At this time, the wall portion 31 is too high to be normally crossed by the bicycle 1. The bicycle 1 is held by the driver 30 with the handle, and the key 4 is pressed. Continuous forward driving of the rear wheel 7 is provided by the push - walking assist, and the bicycle 1 can be tilted through the handle so that the rear wheel 7 becomes the wheel for the forward running of the bicycle 1. The state is shown in FIG. 2. When the rear wheel 7 comes into contact with the wall portion 31, preferably at this time, the rear wheel 7 is pressed against the wall portion 31 by the user 30, and the rear wheel 7 starts to climb along the wall portion 31. This process can continue until the rear wheel of the bicycle 1 reaches the flat surface located high and rides onto it. And the front wheel of the bicycle 1 can also be placed on the flat surface located high by the driver 30 with the handle. Then the driver 30 climbs onto the flat surface without the bicycle 1 and can thus overcome the wall portion 31. Subsequently, normal running can be continued by the bicycle 1. It should be pointed out that the situation shown in FIG. 2 should be regarded as illustrative only.

[0031] To enable the climbing assist, the method of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 in a preferred flowchart is applied. By the method of the present invention, not only are safety - related parameters considered, but also comfortable use of the push - walking assist as the climbing assist is realized.

[0032] When the driver gets off the bicycle 1, the normal driving of the driver 30 on the bicycle 1 ends. This is given in the case of the first transition condition 21, and the control unit 2 shifts to the first operating state 11 where the push - walking assist is not active but can be activated by the input of the user 30. Strictly speaking, at this time, there is a request for providing the push - walking assist.

[0033] In the second operating state 12, the push - walking assist is active and is provided by the motor 3 of the bicycle 3. To reach the second operating state 12, the second transition condition 22 must be satisfied.

[0034] The second transition condition 22 is given when the key 4 is operated by the driver 30, and accordingly a request for providing push walking assistance is issued. At the same time, the tilt sensor checks what value the tilt angle α of the bicycle 1 has. At this time, the tilt angle α is the angle between the horizontal line and the longitudinal axis of the bicycle 1. The second operating state 12 is entered, and the push walking assistance is activated only when the measured tilt angle α of the bicycle 1 is below the set threshold value. This threshold value is given, for example, at 45° or 90°. If the detected tilt angle exceeds the set threshold value, the system remains in the first operating state 11 where the push walking assistance is not active. This is because the second transition condition 22 is not satisfied. The reason for this is that with such a tilt angle of the bicycle 1, it is conceivable that the bicycle may be upside down for repair work. When the measured tilt angle α of the bicycle 1 is below the set threshold value, it can be inferred that the bicycle 1 is in a normal operating state. In this case, the push walking assistance is activated in response to the presence of a request for providing push walking assistance.

[0035] By the push walking assistance activated in the second operating state 12, continuous forward driving of the rear wheel 7 of the bicycle 1 is realized by the motor 3. The push walking assistance is provided by the motor 3 as long as the key 4 is operated by the driver 30, that is, as long as there is a request for providing push walking assistance. It is not rechecked whether the tilt angle of the bicycle 1 is above or below the set threshold value. This means that in the second operating state 12, the push walking assistance is provided even when the tilt angle of the bicycle 1 increases beyond the set threshold value.

[0036] In the third operating state 13, the motor 3 is controlled such that the backward movement of the bicycle 1 is prevented or at least reduced, i.e., braked, by the torque provided by the motor 3. Such control of the motor 3 to prevent or brake the backward movement is also called so-called hill-holding.

[0037] The third operating state 13 is realized when the third transition condition 23 is satisfied on the premise of the second operating state 12. This applies when the key 4 is released by the driver 30 and, accordingly, there is no longer a request for the provision of push assist. The reason for this preference is that in the second operating state 12, the latest inclination angle of the bicycle 1 is not checked. By preventing or braking the backward movement, it is prevented that the bicycle 1 moves uncontrollably towards the driver 30. For example, when the situation shown in FIG. 2 occurs and the key 4 is accidentally released, the rear wheel 7 will move towards the driver 30. This is prevented by braking or preventing the backward movement by the motor 3. Optionally, the backward movement is initially completely prevented, and subsequently gradually allowed by reducing the torque by the motor 3, so that the bicycle 1 can be placed under control while being controlled.

[0038] However, the prevention or braking of the backward movement by the motor 3 in the third operating state 13 is provided only for a limited time, in particular to prevent overheating of the motor 3. When the prevention or braking of the backward movement in the third operating state 13 automatically ends, this applies when the fifth transition condition 25 is satisfied, and the control unit 2 transitions to the fourth operating state 14. The fifth transition condition 25 is satisfied, for example, when the third operating state 13 has been active for a predefined time interval.

[0039] In the fourth operating state 14, not only is push assist not provided, but also the braking or prevention of the backward movement of the bicycle 1 by appropriate control of the motor 3 is not hindered.

[0040] Under the third operating state 13 or the fourth operating state 14, a situation may occur where, for example, due to the fact that the bicycle 1 has not completely climbed over the wall portion 31 to be overcome, the driver 30 needs to provide additional push assist again. In such a case, the driver 30 operates the key 4 again, whereby the sixth transition condition 26 or the fourth transition condition 24 is satisfied. When the sixth transition condition 26 or the fourth transition condition 24 is satisfied, the control unit 2 switches back to the second operating state 12 on the premise of the third operating state 13 or the fourth operating state 14. Thereby, the push assist by the motor 3 is provided again. This is done without re-checking the current inclination angle of the bicycle 1. This means that in the second operating state 12, the push assist is provided again regardless of whether the inclination angle of the bicycle 1 is below or above the set threshold value.

[0041] When the control unit 2 is in the fourth operating state 13 and the seventh transition condition 27 is satisfied, the control unit switches back to the first operating state 11.

[0042] The seventh transition condition 27 is satisfied when a predefined time period has elapsed since the key 4 was released by the user 30 according to the third transition condition 23. Starting from the time when the key 4 was released by the user 30, that is, starting from the fulfillment of the third transition condition 23, a time interval is measured. If this time interval is shorter than the predefined time period, for example, shorter than 10 seconds, the control unit 2 remains in the current third or fourth operating state 13, 14 each time. If the measured time interval is longer than the predefined time period, the seventh transition condition 27 is satisfied and the control unit 2 switches from the fourth operating state 14 to the first operating state 11.

[0043] If the detected time interval after the key 4 is released by the user 30 is longer than a pre-defined time width, it can be considered that the control unit 2 has already shifted from the third operating state 13 to the fourth operating state 14.

[0044] According to the seventh transition condition 27, the control system 2 is returned from the fourth operating state 14 to the first operating state 11. This means that after the key 4 is released by the user 30, when the key 4 is operated again, it is checked again whether the inclination angle of the bicycle 1 is below a set threshold value, and the push assist is provided only in such a case. Accordingly, especially when the key 4 has been released by the driver 30 for a long time, if it is not guaranteed that the inclination angle of the bicycle is below the set threshold value, it is realized that the push assist is not activated. For example, a situation may occur where the bicycle 1 is placed on a flat ground on the other side of the wall portion 31 to be overcome. For example, when the driver 30 tries to go to the bicycle 1 and also climbs the wall portion 31, it is preferable to avoid the push assist being inadvertently operated by the driver.

[0045] For optimal utilization of the climbing assist according to the invention and, accordingly, of the method 10 according to the invention, the bicycle 1 is preferably designed and configured such that it can be placed in the position described in FIG. 2. Typically, it is preferred that the bicycle 1 does not have a mudguard or a carrier. This is because these often risk hitting the driving surface when the bicycle 1 tilts beyond a set threshold. In principle, a mudguard or a carrier is also possible and they are arranged accordingly. However, it is preferably that the rear area of the rear wheel 7 of the bicycle 1, in particular, is not restricted in terms of design. For example, the rear wheel 7 of the bicycle 1 can be considered to have a circumferential angle of 360° around the rear axle 6 of the bicycle 1. The circumferential angle here is only an explanation used here and not a design element. At this time, the circumferential angle is defined such that it has 0 degrees at the contact point 5 between the running surface and the rear wheel 7 when the bicycle 1 is standing horizontally. At the rearmost point of the rear wheel 7, i.e., at the rearmost point of the rear wheel 7 along the longitudinal axis of the bicycle 1, the circumferential angle has a value of 90°. The circumferential angle is shown in FIG. 1 and moves counterclockwise around the rear axle 6 of the bicycle 1 when viewed from the left side of the bicycle 1. It is particularly preferred that no structural members of the bicycle 1 are arranged outside the circumference of the rear wheel 7 in the angular range β of the circumferential angle between 0 degrees and 135 degrees. Inside the circumference of the rear wheel 7, for example, a bicycle stand or the like may be arranged.

[0046] In this way, according to the method of the invention, it is only when the push assist is activated that it is checked whether the e-bike is "not upside down". The "intentional and continuous act" required by EN15194, for example, the pressing of the key to the key 4, as long as the driver continues to exert it, does not apply the recognition of "upside down" for the deactivation of the push assist.

[0047] Thereby, it is possible to turn behind the bicycle 1 and tilt the handlebars and the front wheel towards the driver 30 (similar to a wheelbarrow, with the driving rear wheel being the most forward). This, for example, facilitates overcoming stairs. The front wheel floats in the air and the pressure on the rear wheel becomes slightly higher, which leads to even better traction.

[0048] By slightly pressing the rotating rear wheel 7 against the rock or the wall portion 31, even on a rock wall with a height of more than 1.5 m, it is possible to climb without much effort with the assistance of the push-walking assist, place the bike on top, and even climb up later oneself. This is also called "climb assist". Without it, the heavy e-bike would have to be carried by one's own strength.

[0049] Furthermore, when the key 4 is released, in order to activate the existing "hill hold" function that controls the motor speed to zero with torque that may gradually decrease depending on the situation, the "upside-down" information can be utilized. This additionally improves the safety when the key 4 is accidentally released by the driver.

[0050] That is, the bicycle 1 simply stops, and then gradually moves towards the driver with an allowable torque that decreases to control the speed to zero rpm. When the hill hold is active or after an applicable time, when the driver 30 presses the key 4 again, the upside-down information continues to be ignored during that time (for example, 10 seconds), and the push-walking assist resumes immediately.

[0051] The procedure of this method as an example can be summarized as follows.

[0052] - The driver 30 activates the push-walking assist in the "non-upside-down" state. - The driver 30 lifts the front wheel, stands behind the bicycle 1 for example, and tilts the handlebars towards oneself. - Then the bicycle 1 becomes "upside-down", but it does not turn off as long as the driver 30 keeps pressing the key 4. - When the key 4 is released (in the "upside-down" state in any case depending on the gradient), the hill hold becomes active. - During the applicable time or during hill-hold, pressing the key 4 again will lead to the "upside-down" information being ignored.

[0053] In addition to the disclosure according to the above text, the disclosures of FIGS. 1 to 3 are expressly incorporated by reference.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 1 Bicycle 2 Control unit 3 Motor 4 Operating member, key 5 Contact point 7 Rear wheel 10 Method 12 Providing, second operating state 13 Prevention or braking of reverse movement, third operating state 14 Detection, fourth operating state 22 Activation, second transition condition 23 Abort, third transition condition 24 Re-activation, fourth transition condition 26 Re-activation, sixth transition condition

Claims

1. A method (10) for providing a push assist in a motor-assisted bicycle, comprising: activating (22) the push assist in response to the presence of a request for providing the push assist, wherein the push assist is activated only when the inclination angle of the bicycle is below a set threshold value; providing (12) the push assist by a motor (3) of the bicycle (1) after the activation of the push assist as long as the request for providing the push assist exists, wherein the providing of the push assist by the motor is also performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle is increasing beyond the set threshold value.

2. A method (10) for providing a push assist in a motor-assisted bicycle, comprising: activating (22) the push assist in response to the presence of a request for providing the push assist; and providing (12) the push assist by a motor (3) of the bicycle (1) after the activation of the push assist regardless of the inclination angle of the bicycle as long as the request for providing the push assist exists.

3. further comprising stopping (23) the providing of the push assist by the motor (3) of the bicycle (1) in response to the request for providing the push assist no longer existing; The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein after the stopping (23) of the providing of the push assist, the push assist is re-activated (24), and the re-activation is performed in response to the request for providing the push assist reappearing, and the push assist is re-activated even when the inclination angle of the bicycle is above the set threshold value.

5. detecting (14) a time interval after the request for providing the push assist no longer exists; and re-activating (26) the push assist after the stopping of the providing of the push assist in response to the request for providing the push assist reappearing, wherein Said renewed activation (26) of the walking assist is also performed when the time interval until a request for providing the walking assist exists is shorter than or equal to a predefined time span, or when the inclination angle of the bicycle exceeds a set threshold value, and, Said renewed activation of the walking assist is only performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle is below the set threshold value when the time interval until a request for providing the walking assist exists is longer than the predefined time span, according to the method of claim 3 or 4.

6. As a reaction to the absence of a request for providing the walking assist, the backward movement of the bicycle (1) is prevented or braked (13) by providing torque by the motor (3), The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising.

7. Said request for providing the walking assist exists when a predefined user action is performed, in particular when an operating member (4), in particular a key, is operated by the user, according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Said inclination angle is the angle between the horizontal line and the longitudinal axis of the bicycle, and said threshold value is preferably greater than or equal to 45 degrees, according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A continuous forward drive of the rear wheel of the bicycle (1) is induced under the activated walking assist by the motor (3), according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The provision of the walking assist by the motor (3) is also performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle (1) is greater than the inclination angle of the ground, according to the method (10) of any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The provision of the walking assist by the motor (3) is also performed when the inclination angle of the bicycle (1) is large to the extent that the bicycle (1) is resting on the ground only on the rear wheel (7) and is held by the driver with the handlebar, according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. In a device for providing a walking assist on a bicycle (1) assisted in a motorized manner, comprising a control unit (2), this control unit, Set up to activate the pushing assist as a reaction to the presence of a request for providing the pushing assist, where the pushing assist is activated only when the tilt angle of the bicycle is below a set threshold value. Set up to provide the pushing assist by the motor (3) of the bicycle after the activation of the pushing assist as long as there is a request for providing the pushing assist, where the provision of the pushing assist by the motor (3) is also performed when the tilt angle of the bicycle (1) is increasing beyond the set threshold value.

13. In an apparatus for providing a pushing assist on a bicycle (1) assisted in a motorized manner, including a control unit (2), the control unit is Set up to activate the pushing assist as a reaction to the presence of a request for providing the pushing assist. Set up to provide the pushing assist by the motor of the bicycle after the activation of the pushing assist regardless of the tilt angle of the bicycle (1) as long as there is a request for providing the pushing assist.

14. In a bicycle (1), including the apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, the bicycle is preferably manufactured such that when the rear wheel (7) of the bicycle (1) is divided into a 360-degree circumferential angle centered on the rear axle of the bicycle (1), and the contact point (5) between the running surface and the rear wheel is 0 degrees and the rearmost point of the rear wheel (7) is 90 degrees, the structural members of the bicycle are not arranged outside the circumference of the rear wheel (7) in the angular range (β) of the circumferential angle from 0 degrees to 135 degrees.

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