A drive system having an external signal line that is electronically monitored for damage, misoperation, and / or disconnection.

Abstract

The proposed solution relates to a drive unit (A) for an electric bicycle (F), the drive unit (A) comprising an interface (11) for at least one signal line (20, 40) accessible from outside the drive housing (1), thereby allowing at least one signal line (20, 40) to be connected to a power supply unit for the drive unit (1), and the electronic control unit (SE) of the drive unit (A) is configured to electronically detect damage, misuse and / or disconnection of at least one signal line (20, 40), and to generate an alarm signal (Sa) in response to the detection that at least one signal line (20, 40) is damaged, misused and / or disconnected.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The proposed solution relates to a drive unit for an electric bicycle, particularly a pedelec or e-bike. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Drive units for electric bicycles are widely known, and include at least one electric motor for generating auxiliary torque for driving the electric bicycle by external power. The auxiliary torque generated by the electric motor can be applied in addition to the driving torque generated manually at the bottom bracket shaft. When two electric motors are provided, these can also be used to enable stepless adjustment of the gear ratio of the driving torque, in order to provide greater comfort for the rider of the electric bicycle.

[0003] A transmission is provided to connect the bottom bracket shaft and at least one electric motor to an output element of the drive unit that is coupled to a wheel of the electric bicycle. This transmission, which includes for example at least one planetary gear set, transmits driving torque generated manually and additional auxiliary torque generated by external power to the output element. The bottom bracket shaft, the at least one electric motor, and the transmission are at least partially accommodated in the drive housing of the drive unit. [[Summary of Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] Especially for expensive electric bicycles, there is a growing need for owners to protect them from theft. To protect parked electric bicycles, various bicycle locks that meet higher security standards and are not easily broken, as well as other mechanical / electronic security elements, may be used. In this context, it is also known to install bicycle locks equipped with electronics that, if forced open, emit an alarm in the vicinity via optical and / or audible signals on the electric bicycle and / or mobile phone. However, the solutions known so far are not specific to the type of bicycle to be protected and offer theft prevention measures that can be relatively easily bypassed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Against this backdrop, the proposed solution aims to provide improved protection for electric bicycles against theft.

[0006] For this purpose, the proposed drive unit is provided with at least one signal line interface accessible from outside the drive housing, thereby allowing the at least one signal line to be connected to a power supply unit provided for the drive unit (of the electric bicycle). The electronic control unit of the drive unit is configured to electronically detect damage, misuse, and / or disconnection of the at least one signal line and to generate an alarm signal in response to the detection that the at least one signal line is damaged, misused, and / or disconnected.

[0007] Therefore, the proposed solution is based on the fundamental idea of ​​incorporating an electronic anti-theft device into the electric motor drive system for electric bicycles. Through the interface, current from the power supply can be conducted through at least one signal line. The resulting measurable change in current or current pulse may, depending on the type of change, indicate damage, tampering, and / or disconnection of at least one signal line. Thus, for example, disconnection of a signal line results in an interruption of the current signal, or, in the case of a pulsed current signal, the resulting current pulse can no longer be measured. Tampering with or damage to a signal line can also result in a change in electrical resistance. This, too, results in a measurable change in the current signal, or a change that can be measured as electrical resistance via the electronic control unit.

[0008] In principle, the signal wire may be part of a unit separate from the drive unit, such as a bicycle lock or, in particular, a steel cable with a connector plug that plugs into the drive housing. Here, the steel cable may, for example, have a conductive core as the signal wire, which is surrounded by an insulating sheath. Alternatively, at least one signal wire may be a component incorporated into the drive unit, used to protect the electric bicycle from unauthorized removal when the electric bicycle is parked.

[0009] Through the interface, current from an energy storage device provided to supply electrical energy to the drive unit can be conducted (continuously or intermittently) through at least one signal line. The drive unit's electronic control unit is configured to detect damage, malfunction, and / or disconnection of at least one signal line based on this current. Depending on the type of change in the current signal being measured, it can be concluded that there is damage, malfunction, and / or disconnection of at least one signal line. Since the supply of electrical energy here is done via an energy storage device also provided for supplying at least one electric motor of the drive unit, generally sufficient electrical energy is available to supply current to the signal line. In some cases, an additional energy storage unit, such as an additional battery, may be provided to ensure a supply of current to at least one signal line if the energy storage unit supplying at least one electric motor of the drive unit fails to function.

[0010] In a modified embodiment, the drive unit interface is configured and provided for a detachable connection between the drive unit and at least one signal line. Therefore, a conductive connection to at least one signal line can be established via the interface only when necessary. For this purpose, the interface has, for example, an opening in the drive housing into which a connecting element can be inserted at least partially, thereby establishing a conductive connection to at least one signal line.

[0011] To secure the corresponding connecting element to the drive housing and prevent unauthorized removal from the opening, the drive unit may be equipped with a locking device for mechanically, particularly shape-engineered, locking the connecting element in the drive housing. Thus, when a connecting element to which at least one signal line is connected is inserted into the opening of the drive housing, the connecting element can be locked to the drive housing automatically or by user operation. For automatic locking, for example, a spring-biased locking mechanism is provided. User operation may be required to operate the locking mechanism provided in the drive housing for locking the connecting element.

[0012] In a modified embodiment, the interface is formed for connection to a bicycle lock connection element having at least one signal wire. Thus, a bicycle lock connection element, provided for securing an electric bicycle to a fixed object, can be attached via the drive unit interface. At least one signal wire of the bicycle lock is connected to the electric bicycle's power supply via the connection to the drive unit, thereby electronically monitoring for damage, tampering, and / or cutting of the bicycle lock. For example, for this purpose, a signal wire in the cable of a bicycle lock formed as a cable lock or fiber-coated lock can be connected via the drive-side interface. In principle, a bicycle lock may simply be made of a relatively thin steel cable for securing an electric bicycle to a fixed object. However, thin steel cables can be easily cut with commercially available bolt cutters. However, with the proposed drive unit, the drive unit's control unit can additionally electronically monitor whether such a bicycle lock is intact or not. Generally, however, a bicycle lock that cannot be broken without applying greater effort, especially greater force, and which has at least one additional signal wire available would be preferable.

[0013] Furthermore, the proposed solution also includes the fact that at least one signal line can be connected to the drive unit via an interface and also to a separate bicycle lock. Thus, for example, by establishing a conductive connection via a signal line connected to the drive unit and the bicycle lock, it becomes possible to electronically monitor the U-lock using an anti-theft device incorporated into the drive unit.

[0014] In a modified embodiment, at least one signal line is formed as a component incorporated into the drive unit and is retractably mounted on the drive housing. Thus, the at least one signal line is flexible and, for example, is formed to be retractable. In this way, the at least one signal line can be fixed, for example, on a winding element of the drive housing, and the rotation of the winding element allows the at least one signal line to be unwound from there. Thus, similar to the cable reel of a vacuum cleaner, a winding element biased and rotatably supported in one rotational direction can be provided on or inside the drive housing of the drive unit, particularly inside or adjacent to the drive unit. From this winding element, at least one signal line, or a cable containing at least one signal line, can be unwound and automatically re-wound onto the winding element.

[0015] If the winding element is housed inside the drive housing, a pull-out opening can be provided on the outer surface of the drive housing. The user can pull out at least one signal wire from this pull-out opening and plug it into the interface to lock the parked electric bicycle.

[0016] One end of at least one signal line fixed to the winding element can typically be electrically connected to the electronics of the drive unit. The other end can then be connected to an interface as needed, thereby closing the circuit.

[0017] In a modified embodiment, the control unit is configured to wirelessly transmit an alarm signal to a mobile device. Such a mobile device is coupled to the drive unit via a wireless interface such as NFC, Bluetooth, or a mobile wireless interface. In particular for this purpose, the electronic control unit may have a corresponding wireless interface for wireless signal transmission or be coupled to such a wireless interface of the drive unit. The mobile device may be, for example, an electronic key or a mobile phone, which is coupled to the drive unit so as to wirelessly transmit signals to the electronic control unit and, in some cases, wirelessly receive signals from the electronic control unit.

[0018] The generated alarm signal may be provided for the activation of a tactile, visual, and / or auditory alarm on a mobile device. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the electronic control unit may be configured to generate a visual and / or auditory alarm on the electric bicycle in response to the alarm signal. In particular for this purpose, it is possible to activate the alarm in the drive unit and / or components electronically coupled thereto (e.g., an operating unit and / or display unit for controlling the electric motor drive unit), thereby alerting those in the immediate vicinity of the electric bicycle to the possibility of an attempted theft.

[0019] The proposed solution further relates to a modification of one embodiment of the proposed drive unit, and to an electric bicycle equipped with at least one energy storage device for powering the drive unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] The attached drawings illustrate variations of possible embodiments of the proposed solution.

[0021] [Figure 1]It is a partial view of a modification of an embodiment of the electric bicycle according to the present proposal, comprising a modification of an embodiment of the drive unit according to the present proposal, wherein the drive unit is fixed to a frame of the electric bicycle, and the drive housing thereof is provided with an externally accessible locking opening that receives a connecting element of a bicycle lock to establish conductive connection with at least one signal line of the bicycle lock. [Figure 2] It is an exploded view showing the drive unit of Figure 1 and a bicycle lock that can be combined therewith. [Figure 3] It is a partial view of the electric bicycle of Figure 1, in a state connected to two fixtures according to the original method of use.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Figure 1 partially shows an electric bicycle F comprising a frame R, to which frame R a drive unit A comprising at least one electric motor E is fixed (see also Figures 2 and 3). The drive unit A has a drive housing 1, which accommodates therein at least one electric motor E and a transmission in the form of a transmission G comprising, for example, at least one planetary gear set. The at least one electric motor E functions to provide assist torque for driving the electric bicycle F. This assist torque is provided in addition to the driving torque manually applied to the bottom bracket shaft T. Here, the bottom bracket shaft T is connected to (pedal) cranks K each provided with a pedal on both sides thereof.

[0023] In the illustrated drive unit A, a side housing part 1A of the drive housing 1 is provided with an interface having a locking opening 11 for a bicycle lock 2. The locking opening 11 is part of the locking device of the drive unit A, and is covered and protected by a cover 10 in the illustration of Figure 1.

[0024] When an electric bicycle F is parked and secured against theft, the electric bicycle F can be secured against unauthorized removal and unauthorized use via the bicycle lock 2 shown in FIG. 3. For this purpose, the connecting element 21 of the bicycle lock 2 is inserted into the locking opening 11 from the outside. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting element on the lock side is a lock pin 21 provided at one end of a lock cable 20, while the other end of the lock cable 20 is provided with an eyelet for fixing the lock cable 20 to a fixed object such as a support post or a bicycle stand.

[0025] When the lock pin 21 is inserted into the locking opening 11 of the drive housing 1 of the drive unit A, (complete) rotation of the crank K can thereby be prevented. In this way, the locking opening 11 is provided on the side surface of the drive housing 1 such that the crank K cannot pass past it when the lock pin 21 is inserted into the locking opening 11. Accordingly, the crank K, and thus the bottom bracket shaft T of the drive unit A, is prevented from (complete) rotation, and as long as the lock pin 21 is inserted into the locking opening 11, no drive torque can be applied via the bottom bracket shaft T.

[0026] In the illustrated drive unit A, the lock pin 21 can further protrude into the interior of the drive housing 1 via the locking opening 11, and can be form-fitted with a component of the transmission G. Therefore, even via the electric motor E, no assist torque can be transmitted to the wheels of the electric bicycle F. Accordingly, when the lock pin 21 of the bicycle lock 2 is inserted into the locking opening 11, the drive unit A is mechanically disabled at a plurality of points.

[0027] In this context, it is not essential that the lock pin 21 itself exerts a corresponding action within the drive housing 1. Alternatively, the locking mechanism of the drive unit A, which has a locking opening 11, or the lock pin 21 inserted into the locking opening 11, may displace the locking mechanism's blocking element to a blocked position. As a result, in the blocked position, the blocking element engages with at least one component of the transmission G, blocking the transmission of drive torque and auxiliary torque.

[0028] The lock pin 21, inserted into the locking opening 11 of the locking device of the drive unit A, is further secured to the drive housing 1 for removal. Therefore, the lock pin 21 can only be withdrawn from the locking opening 11 again after the release mechanism of the bicycle lock 2 has been activated, or (in the modified embodiments of Figures 1 and 2) by activating the release mechanism of the drive unit A. For example, for this purpose, a lock cylinder is provided in the drive housing 1 to disengage the locking element on the drive side from the lock pin 21.

[0029] In an advanced form, the corresponding lock that secures the lock pin 21 to the drive housing 1 for removal from the drive housing 1 can also be made unlockable by electronic control. For example, for this purpose, the electronic control unit SE of the drive unit 1 shown in Figure 2 can communicate with a mobile device, here in the form of a mobile phone 3. Through the mobile device 3, the owner of the electric bicycle F can send an unlock signal to the electronic control unit SE, for example, to unlock the lock pin 21.

[0030] Furthermore, at least one electric motor E of the drive unit A may also be controllable via the electronic control unit SE.

[0031] Furthermore, in this case, it is possible to detect whether the bicycle lock 2 inserted into the drive housing A has been improperly damaged, tampered with, and / or destroyed via the electronic control unit SE. For this purpose, it is specified that an electrical connection is established via the lock pin 21 of the bicycle lock 3 inserted into the locking opening 11 to the power supply unit of the drive unit A, i.e., an energy storage device in the form of a rechargeable battery B (see Figure 3) located on the frame R of an electric bicycle F. Then, via a corresponding conductive connection to at least one signal line (e.g., a (signal) wire or metal cable) that extends continuously through the lock cable 20, the electronic control unit SE can be used to monitor whether the lock cable 20 has been damaged, tampered with, or even cut.

[0032] In this manner, if damage, tampering, or cutting of the lock cable 20 is electronically detected by the electronic control unit SE, the control unit SE is configured and provided to generate and wirelessly transmit an alarm signal Sa. Through this alarm signal Sa, for example, the owner of the electric bicycle F may be notified of a possible theft attempt. For this purpose, the alarm signal Sa is wirelessly transmitted to, for example, a mobile phone 3. Alternatively, the alarm signal Sa may activate a tactile, visual, and / or audible alarm on the electric bicycle F.

[0033] Therefore, when the electric bicycle F is equipped with a bicycle assembly consisting of a drive unit A and a bicycle lock 2, and is secured to one or more fixed objects O1, O2 according to Figure 3, the electric bicycle F is not only physically secured to one or more objects O1, O2, but the condition of the bicycle lock 2 being intact is also electronically monitored. This further enhances theft prevention. The combination of the drive unit A and the bicycle lock 2 thus provides significantly higher theft prevention than when the electric bicycle F is merely physically secured to one or more fixed objects O1, O2 via any additional locks ZS1 and ZS2.

[0034] Figure 3 also shows a modified version of an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, at least one signal line 40, electronically monitored via a control unit SE of the drive unit A, is provided on a cable assembly 4 incorporated into the drive unit A. When not in use, the cable assembly 4 is wound onto a winding element 41 rotatably supported within the drive housing 1, in the manner of a cable pull-out device. When the electric bicycle 11 is parked, the end of the cable assembly 4, equipped with a connecting plug, can be pulled out through a pull-out opening 12 provided in the drive housing 1. By pulling the cable assembly 4 from the winding element 41, the user can pull the cable assembly 4 at least partially out of the drive housing 1, and use it to secure the electric bicycle F, for example, by fixing one or more wheels of the electric bicycle F together with the frame R, or by routing the cable assembly 4 around a fixed object O1 or O2.

[0035] The connector plug at the free end of the cable assembly 4, supplied from the pull-out opening 12, can be inserted into the connector opening 11' of the drive housing 1. The connector opening 11' forms an interface to the rechargeable battery B. Subsequently, the integrity of the cable assembly 4 can be monitored via the electronic control unit SE of the drive unit A, similar to the bicycle lock 1. However, in Figure 3, the cable assembly 4 having at least one signal line 40 is incorporated into the drive unit A to provide additional anti-theft protection for the electric bicycle F.

[0036] In a variant of the alternative embodiment, the cable assembly 4 may be carried separately from the drive unit A. Therefore, the cable assembly 4 would not be incorporated into the drive unit A. Rather, when locking the electric bicycle F, one end of the cable assembly 4 can be inserted into the connection opening 11', and the other end can be connected to the additional lock ZS1 or ZS2. Then, through the conductive connection provided by the cable assembly 4 in this way, the control unit SE of the drive unit A can be used to electronically monitor whether each of the additional locks ZS1 and ZS2 is intact. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1 Drive Housing 10 Covers 11. Locking opening (interface) 11' Connection opening (interface) 12 Drawer opening 1A Housing component 2 Bicycle locks 20 Lock cable with one or more signal wires 21 Lock pins (connecting elements) 3 Mobile devices 4 Cable Assembly 40 signal lines 41 Winding element A Drive Unit B. Rechargeable battery (energy storage device) E Electric motor F Electric Bicycle G transmission K Crank O1,O2 Object R Frame Sa alarm signal SE Control Electronics T Bottom Bracket Shaft ZS1, ZS2 additional locks

Claims

1. A drive unit for an electric bicycle (F), A bottom bracket shaft (T) for generating driving torque by human power to drive the electric bicycle (F), At least one electric motor (E) for generating additional auxiliary torque by external power to drive the electric bicycle (F), The bottom bracket shaft (T) and the at least one electric motor (E) are connected to an output element of the drive unit that is connected to the wheel of the electric bicycle (F), and a transmission (G) for transmitting the drive torque and the auxiliary torque to the output element, The drive housing (1) at least partially houses the bottom bracket shaft (T), the at least one electric motor (E), and the transmission (G), Equipped with, The drive unit (A) includes an interface (11) for connecting at least one signal line (20, 40) accessible from outside the drive housing (1) to a power supply unit for the drive unit (1), The drive unit (A) is configured to electronically detect at least one of damage, misoperation, and disconnection of the at least one signal line (20, 40), and to generate an alarm signal (Sa) in response to the detection that at least one of damage, misoperation, and disconnection of the at least one signal line (20, 40) has occurred.

2. The current from the energy storage device (B), which is provided to supply electrical energy to the drive unit (A), can be conducted through the interface (11) and the at least one signal line (20, 40). The drive unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control unit (SE) is configured to detect at least one of damage, misoperation, and disconnection of the at least one signal line (20, 40) based on the current.

3. The drive unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interface (11) is configured and provided for a detachable connection between the at least one signal line (20, 40) and the drive unit (A).

4. The drive unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface has an opening (11) in the drive housing (1), a connecting element (21) can be inserted at least partially into the opening (11), and a conductive connection to at least one signal line (20, 40) can be established via the connecting element (21).

5. The drive unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the drive unit (A) includes a locking device for mechanically locking the connecting element (21) to the drive housing (1).

6. The drive unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the interface is formed for connection with a connecting element (21) of a bicycle lock (2) having at least one signal line (20).

7. The drive unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one signal line (40) is a component incorporated into the drive unit (A) and is supported so as to be pullable out from the drive housing (1).

8. The drive unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one signal line (40) is fixed on a winding element of the drive housing (1), and the at least one signal line (40) can be unwound from the winding element.

9. The drive unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one signal line (40) has a portion comprising the connecting element (21) and is pullable out from the pull-out opening (12) of the drive housing (1).

10. The drive unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (SE) is configured to wirelessly transmit the alarm signal (Sa) to the mobile device (3).

11. The drive unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (SE) is configured to generate an alarm on the electric bicycle (F) that is perceptible visually and aurally, in response to the alarm signal (Sa).

12. An electric bicycle comprising a drive unit according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one energy storage device (B) for supplying power to the drive unit (A).

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