Drive system with an external signal line which is monitored electronically for damage, manipulation and / or severing

Abstract

The proposed solution relates to a drive unit (A) for an electric bicycle (F), which comprises an interface (11) for at least one signal line (20, 40) which is accessible from outside the drive housing (1), in order to connect the at least one signal line (20, 40) to an electrical power supply for the drive unit (1), and an electronic control unit (SE) of the drive unit (A) is designed to electronically detect damage, manipulation and / or severing of the at least one signal line (20, 40) and, as a reaction to a detection that the at least one signal line (20, 40) has been damaged, manipulated and / or severed, to generate an alarm signal (Sa).

Description

[0001] Drive system with an external signal line electronically monitored for damage, manipulation and / or cutting

[0002] Description

[0003] The proposed solution concerns a drive unit for an electric bicycle, in particular a pedelec or e-bike.

[0004] Drive units for electric bicycles are widely known and comprise at least one electric motor for the externally powered generation of assistance torque to propel the electric bicycle. The assistance torque generated by the electric motor can be provided in addition to the drive torque generated by human power at a bottom bracket shaft. If two electric motors are provided, they can also enable a continuous adjustment of the drive torque ratio to provide greater comfort for the electric bicycle rider.

[0005] A transmission device is provided for coupling the bottom bracket spindle and the at least one electric motor to an output element of the drive unit, which is to be coupled to a wheel of the electric bicycle. This transmission device, for example comprising at least one planetary gear, then also transmits the drive torque generated by human power and the additional assist torque generated by external power to the output element. The bottom bracket spindle, the at least one electric motor, and the transmission device are at least partially housed in a drive housing of the drive unit.

[0006] Especially with expensive electric bikes, owners have an increased need to protect themselves against theft. Accordingly, multiple bike locks or other mechanical / electronic security elements that meet higher security standards and cannot be easily broken into may be used to secure parked electric bikes. In this context, it is also known to equip bike locks with electronics so that any unauthorized breaking of a bike lock triggers an alarm in the immediate vicinity via a visual and / or acoustic signal on the electric bike and / or on a mobile phone. However, the solutions known to date are completely unrelated to the type of bike to be secured and offer comparatively easy-to-overcome theft protection.

[0007] Against this background, the proposed solution is based on the task of providing an improved way of securing an electric bicycle against theft.

[0008] For this purpose, a proposed drive unit provides an interface for at least one signal line accessible outside the drive housing to connect the at least one signal line to an electrical power supply provided for the drive unit (of the electric bicycle). An electronic control unit of the drive unit is configured to electronically detect damage, tampering, and / or severing of the at least one signal line and to generate an alarm signal in response to detection that the at least one signal line has been damaged, tampered with, and / or severed.

[0009] The proposed solution is therefore based on the basic idea of ​​integrating an electronic anti-theft device into an electric motor drive for an electric bicycle. Current from an electrical power supply can be fed through the at least one signal line via the interface. A resulting change in the measurable current or a current pulse can then be used to conclude, depending on the type of change, that there is damage, tampering with, and / or severing of the at least one signal line. For example, severing the signal line leads to a current signal being interrupted or, in the case of a pulsed current signal, a triggered current pulse can no longer be measured. Tampering with or damage to the signal line can, in turn, lead to a change in the electrical resistance.This also leads to a measurable change in a current signal or a measurement of an electrical resistance implemented via the electronic control unit.

[0010] In principle, the signal line can be part of a separate unit from the drive unit, for example, a bicycle lock or a steel cable with a connector plugged into, in particular, the drive housing. A steel cable, for example, has an electrically conductive core as a signal line surrounded by an insulating sheath. Alternatively, the at least one signal line can be a component integrated into the drive unit, which is used to secure the electric bicycle against unauthorized removal when the electric bicycle is parked.

[0011] Current from an energy storage device provided for supplying the drive unit with electrical energy can be conducted through the at least one signal line (continuously or pulsed) via the interface. The electronic control unit of the drive unit is then configured to detect damage, tampering, and / or severing of the at least one signal line based on the electrical current. Depending on the type of change in a current signal to be measured, damage, tampering, and / or severing of the at least one signal line can be inferred. Because the supply of electrical energy is provided via the energy storage device, which is also provided for supplying the at least one electric motor of the drive unit, sufficient electrical energy is regularly available to power the signal line.If necessary, a separate energy storage unit, such as an additional battery, can also be provided, which ensures the power supply to the at least one signal line in the event of failure of the energy storage unit for supplying the at least one electric motor of the drive unit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the interface of the drive unit is configured and provided for a detachable connection of the at least one signal line to the drive unit. Thus, an electrically conductive connection to the at least one signal line can be established via the interface only when needed. For this purpose, the interface has, for example, an opening in the drive housing into which a connecting element can be at least partially inserted, providing an electrically conductive connection to the at least one signal line.

[0013] In order to secure a corresponding connecting element to the drive housing and prevent it from being removed from the opening by unauthorized persons, the drive unit can comprise a locking device for mechanically, in particular positively, locking the connecting element to the drive housing. Consequently, if the connecting element connected to the at least one signal line is inserted into the opening of the drive housing, the connecting element can be locked to the drive housing automatically or via user intervention. For automatic locking, a spring-loaded locking mechanism, for example, is provided. User intervention may be necessary to actuate a locking lock provided on the drive housing for locking the connecting element.

[0014] In one embodiment, the interface is designed for connection to a connecting element of a bicycle lock having at least one signal line. Consequently, a connecting element of a bicycle lock intended for securing the electric bicycle to a stationary object can be attached via the drive unit interface. At least one signal line of the bicycle lock is then connected to the electric bicycle's power supply via the connection to the drive unit in order to electronically monitor the bicycle lock for damage, tampering, and / or severing. For example, a signal line in a strand of a bicycle lock designed as a cable lock or textile lock can be connected via the drive-side interface for this purpose.In principle, a bicycle lock can, for example, be constructed with only a relatively thin steel cable to secure the electric bicycle to a stationary object. However, a thin steel cable can easily be cut using standard bolt cutters. With the proposed drive unit, however, such a bicycle lock can now also be electronically monitored for damage by the drive unit's control unit. However, a bicycle lock that can only be broken with greater effort and, in particular, the application of greater force is generally preferable, with at least one additional signal line available.

[0015] The proposed solution also includes the possibility of connecting at least one signal line to the drive unit via the interface and to a separate bicycle lock. For example, a U-lock can be electronically monitored via the drive unit's integrated anti-theft device by establishing an electrically conductive connection via the signal line connected to the drive unit and the bicycle lock.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one signal line is formed by a component integrated into the drive unit, which is mounted on the drive housing so that it can be pulled out. The at least one signal line is therefore flexible and, for example, designed to be windable. In this way, the at least one signal line can be secured, for example, to a winding element of the drive housing, from which the at least one signal line can be unwound while the winding element rotates. Similar to a cable reel of a vacuum cleaner, a rotatably mounted winding element pretensioned in a direction of rotation can be provided on or in the drive housing of the drive unit, i.e. in particular within the drive unit or adjacent thereto, from which the at least one signal line or a cable integrating the at least one signal line can be unwound and can be automatically wound up again on the winding element.

[0017] If the winding element is housed inside the drive housing, a pull-out opening can be provided on the outside of the drive housing, from which at least one signal line can be pulled out by a user and plugged into the interface to secure the parked electric bicycle.

[0018] One end of the at least one signal line, attached to the winding element, can in principle be electrically connected to the electronics of the drive unit. An electrical circuit can then be closed via the other end, connected to the interface if necessary.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to wirelessly transmit the alarm signal to a mobile device. Such a mobile device is coupled to the drive unit, for example, via a radio interface, such as NFC or Bluetooth or a mobile radio interface. In particular, the electronic control unit can have a corresponding radio interface for wireless signal transmission or be coupled to such a radio interface of the drive unit. The mobile device can be, for example, an electronic key or a mobile phone that is coupled to the drive unit in order to wirelessly transmit signals to the electronic control unit and, if necessary, also wirelessly receive signals from the electronic control unit.

[0020] The generated alarm signal can be intended to trigger a haptic, visual, and / or acoustic alarm on the mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic control unit can be configured to use the alarm signal to generate a visually and / or acoustically perceptible alarm on the electric bicycle. In particular, an alarm can be triggered for this purpose on the drive unit and / or a component electronically coupled thereto, such as a control unit for controlling the electric motor drive and / or a display unit, in order to indicate a possible theft attempt even in the immediate vicinity of the electric bicycle. The proposed solution further relates to an electric bicycle with a variant of a proposed drive unit and with at least one energy storage device for supplying electrical energy to the drive unit.

[0021] The attached figures illustrate possible embodiments of the proposed solution.

[0022] Here we show:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a partial version of a proposed

[0024] Electric bicycle with a variant of a proposed drive unit which is fixed to a frame of the electric bicycle and on whose drive housing an externally accessible lock opening is provided for a connecting element of a bicycle lock for an electrically conductive connection to at least one signal line of the bicycle lock;

[0025] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the drive unit of Figure 1 with a bicycle lock that can be combined with it;

[0026] Figure 3 shows a section of the electric bicycle of Figure 1 in a state in which it is connected to two stationary objects as intended.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a section of an electric bicycle F with a frame R, to which a drive unit A with at least one electric motor E is fixed (see also Figures 2 and 3). The drive unit A has a drive housing 1, inside which at least one electric motor E and a transmission device in the form of a transmission G, for example with at least one planetary gear, are accommodated. The at least one electric motor E serves to provide an assistance torque for driving the electric bicycle F. This assistance torque is provided in addition to a drive torque applied to a bottom bracket shaft T by muscle power. The bottom bracket shaft T is connected on both sides to a (pedal) crank K provided with pedals. In the drive unit A shown, an interface with a lock opening 11 for a bicycle lock 2 is provided on a lateral housing part 1A of the drive housing 1.The lock opening 11 is part of a locking device of the drive unit A and is protectively covered by a cover 10 in the illustration in Figure 1.

[0028] If the electric bicycle F is to be parked and secured against theft, the electric bicycle F can be secured against unauthorized removal and unauthorized use using a bicycle lock 2 as shown in Figure 3. For this purpose, a connecting element 21 of the bicycle lock 2 is inserted into the lock opening 11 from the outside. For example, the lock-side connecting element as shown in Figure 2 is a lock pin 21 provided at one end of a lock strand 20, while at the other end of the lock strand 20 there is an eyelet for securing the lock strand 20 to a stationary object, such as a post or a bicycle stand.

[0029] If the lock pin 21 is inserted into the lock opening 11 on the drive housing 1 of the drive unit A, this can be used to block a (full) rotation of a crank K. The lock opening 11 is provided on the side of the drive housing 1 in such a way that the crank K cannot be guided past the lock pin 21 when it is inserted into the lock opening 11. The crank K and thus the bottom bracket shaft T of the drive unit A are thus blocked from a (full) rotation, and no drive torque can be applied via the bottom bracket shaft T as long as the lock pin 21 is inserted into the lock opening 11.

[0030] In the illustrated drive unit A, the lock pin 21 can also protrude beyond the lock opening 11 into the interior of the drive housing 1 and be positively engaged with a component of the transmission G, so that no assist torque can be transmitted to a wheel of the electric bicycle F via the electric motor E. The drive unit A is thus mechanically inoperable in several respects when the lock pin 21 of the bicycle lock 2 is inserted into the lock opening 11.

[0031] In this context, it is not mandatory for the locking pin 21 itself to perform a corresponding function within the drive housing 1. Alternatively, a locking element of the locking device can be displaced into a locking position via a locking device of the drive unit A encompassing the lock opening 11, alternatively via the locking pin 21 inserted into the lock opening 11. In a locking position, the locking element therefore engages positively with at least one component of the transmission G and locks it against the transmission of a drive torque and an assist torque.

[0032] The lock pin 21 inserted into the lock opening 11 of the locking device of the drive unit A is further secured against removal on the drive housing 1. Thus, the lock pin 21 can only be pulled out of the lock opening 11 after triggering a release mechanism on the bicycle lock 2 or—in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2—by triggering a release mechanism on the drive unit A. For example, a locking cylinder is provided on the drive housing 1 for this purpose in order to disengage a drive-side locking element from the lock pin 21.

[0033] A corresponding locking mechanism, by which the locking pin 21 on the drive housing 1 is locked against removal from the drive housing 1, can also be released electronically in a further development. For example, an electronic control unit SE of the drive unit 1 according to Figure 2 can communicate with a mobile device, here in the form of a mobile phone 3. For example, an owner of the electric bicycle F can send a release signal to the electronic control unit SE via the mobile device 3 to release the locking of the locking pin 21.

[0034] Furthermore, the at least one electric motor E of the drive unit A can also be controlled via the electronic control unit SE.

[0035] Furthermore, in the present case, the electronic control unit SE can detect whether the bicycle lock 2 plugged into the drive housing A has been improperly damaged, tampered with, and / or destroyed. For this purpose, an electrical connection to a power supply of the drive unit A, for example an energy storage device in the form of a battery B (see Figure 3) arranged on the frame R of the electric bicycle F, is established via the lock pin 21 of the bicycle lock 3 plugged into the lock opening 11. Via a corresponding electrically conductive connection to at least one signal line running continuously in the lock strand 20, such as a (signal) wire or a metallic cable, the electronic control unit SE can then be used to monitor whether the lock strand 20 has been damaged, tampered with, or even severed.If damage, manipulation or severing of the lock strand 20 has been electronically detected by the electronic control unit SE in this way, the control unit SE is able to generate and wirelessly transmit an alarm signal S. a be set up and provided. This alarm signal S a For example, an owner of the electric bicycle F can be informed about a possible theft attempt. For this purpose, the alarm signal S a for example, wirelessly transmitted to the mobile phone 3. Alternatively or additionally, the alarm signal S a trigger a haptic, visual and / or acoustic alarm on the electric bicycle F.

[0036] Consequently, if an electric bicycle F is equipped with a bicycle assembly consisting of the drive unit A and the bicycle lock 2 and secured to one or more stationary objects 01, 02 as shown in Figure 3, the electric bicycle F is not only physically secured to one or more objects 01, 02, but the integrity of the bicycle lock 2 is also electronically monitored. Theft protection is thus further increased. By coupling it to the drive unit A, a bicycle lock 2 thus achieves significantly higher theft protection than any additional locks ZS1 and ZS2, which only physically secure the electric bicycle F to one or more stationary objects 01, 02.

[0037] Figure 3 illustrates another alternative embodiment. Here, at least one signal line 40, which is to be electronically monitored via the control unit SE of the drive unit A, is provided in a cable harness 4 integrated into the drive unit A. In an unused state, this cable harness 4 is wound up in the manner of a cable pull-out by a winding element 41 rotatably mounted in the drive housing 1. When the electric bicycle 11 is parked, an end of the cable harness 4, provided with a connector plug, can be pulled out of a pull-out opening 12 provided on the drive housing 1.By unwinding the cable harness 4 from the winding element 41, a user can thus at least partially pull the cable harness 4 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 to the frame R or by guiding the cable harness 4 around a stationary object 01 or 02.

[0038] The connecting plug at the free end of the cable harness 4 provided from the pull-out opening 12 can be plugged into a connection opening 1T of the drive housing 1, which forms the interface to the battery B. The cable harness 4, like the bicycle lock 1, can then be monitored for damage via the electronic control unit SE of the drive unit A. However, the cable harness 4 with the at least one signal line 40 is integrated into the drive unit A in Figure 3 in order to provide additional theft protection for the electric bicycle F. In an alternative embodiment, the cable harness 4 can also be carried separately from the drive unit A. Accordingly, the cable harness 4 would not be integrated into the drive unit A.Rather, when locking the electric bicycle F, the cable harness 4 could be plugged with one end into the connection opening 11 ' and connected with another end to an additional lock ZS1 or ZS2 in order to then electronically monitor the integrity of the respective additional lock ZS1, ZS2 using the control unit SE of the drive unit A via the electrically conductive connection thus provided with the cable harness 4.

[0039] List of reference symbols

[0040] 1 drive housing

[0041] 10 Cover

[0042] 11 Lock opening (interface)

[0043] 11 ' Connection opening (interface)

[0044] 12 pull-out opening

[0045] 1A housing part

[0046] 2 bicycle locks

[0047] 20 lock strands with one or more signal lines

[0048] 21 Lock pin (connecting element)

[0049] 3 Mobile device

[0050] 4 cable harness

[0051] 40 signal line

[0052] 41 winding element

[0053] A drive unit

[0054] B Battery (energy storage)

[0055] E electric motor

[0056] F Electric bike

[0057] G Gearbox

[0058] K Crank

[0059] 01 , 02 Object

[0060] R frame

[0061] S a alarm signal

[0062] SE control electronics

[0063] T bottom bracket spindle

[0064] ZS1, ZS2 additional lock

Claims

Claims 1. A drive unit for an electric bicycle (F), comprising a bottom bracket shaft (T) for the muscle-powered generation of a drive torque for driving the electric bicycle (F), at least one electric motor (E) for the externally powered generation of an additional assist torque for driving the electric bicycle (F), a transmission device (G) for coupling the bottom bracket shaft (T) and the at least one electric motor (E) to an output element of the drive unit, which is to be coupled to a wheel of the electric bicycle (F), and for transmitting the drive torque and the assist torque to the output element, and a drive housing (1) in which the bottom bracket shaft (T), the at least one electric motor (E), and the transmission device (G) are at least partially accommodated, characterized in that the drive unit (A) comprises an interface (11) for at least one signal line (20, 40) accessible outside the drive housing (1).to connect the at least one signal line (20, 40) to an electrical power supply for the drive unit (1), and an electronic control unit (SE) of the drive unit (A) is set up to electronically detect damage, manipulation and / or severing of the at least one signal line (20, 40) and, in response to a detection that the at least one signal line (20, 40) has been damaged, manipulated and / or severed, to generate an alarm signal (S, a ) to generate.

2. Drive unit according to claim 1, characterized in that current from an energy store (B) provided for supplying the drive unit (A) with electrical energy can be guided through the at least one signal line (20, 40) via the interface (11), and the electronic control unit (SE) is set up to detect damage, manipulation and / or severing of the at least one signal line (20, 40) on the basis of the electrical current.

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

4. Drive unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface is formed with an opening (11) on the drive housing (1) into which the connecting element (21) can be at least partially inserted, wherein an electrically conductive connection to the at least one signal line (20, 40) exists via the connecting element (21).

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

6. Drive unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the interface is designed for connection to a connecting element (21) of a bicycle lock (2) which has the at least one signal line (20).

7. Drive unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one signal line (40) is a component integrated on the drive unit (A) and is mounted on the drive housing (1) in an extendable manner.

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

9. Drive unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one signal line (40) with a section having the connecting element (21) can be pulled out of a pull-out opening (12) on the drive housing (1).

10. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (SE) is arranged to transmit the alarm signal (S a ) wirelessly to a mobile device (3).

11. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (SE) is arranged to communicate with the alarm signal (S a ) to generate a visually and / or acoustically perceptible alarm on the electric bicycle (F).

2. Electric bicycle with a drive unit according to one of the preceding claims and at least one energy storage device (B) for supplying electrical energy to the drive unit (A).

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