Pedal-assisted bicycle, or ebike, equipped with means for the supply of auxiliary electrical energy to be sent to the main vehicle battery

Abstract

A pedal-assisted bicycle, or ebike, comprising means for the auxiliary thrust of the motor (15), powered by a main battery (14), connected to a central movement (16) which acts mechanically on the movement mechanisms of the wheels (12, 13) in collaboration with the thrust of pedals (20, 21) rotatably mounted on cranks (18, 19) in which said pedals (20, 21) comprise, each internally, pairs of current generators (24, 25, 24', 25') capable of supplying electric energy to the main battery (14) through cables (38, 39 and 38', 39') and rotating circular electric joints (37, 37') placed on the pedals, to a rotating electric joint (43) placed in correspondence with said central movement (16), connected, through electric cables (44, 45), to the electric components main components of the ebike, said components being configured to provide the main battery (14) of the ebike itself with an electric energy supply during pedaling, contributing to maintaining its charge level.

Description

[0001] PEDAL-ASSISTED BICYCLE, OR EBIKE, EQUIPPED WITH MEANS FOR

[0002] THE SUPPLY OF AUXILIARY ELECTRIC ENERGY TO BE SENT TO THE MAIN VEHICLE BATTERY"

[0003] FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0004] The present invention relates to a bicycle or other similar means of movement with two or more wheels , of the pedal-assisted type, also called an ebike, the peculiarity of which is that it is equipped with means for recovering electric energy during pedaling, represented by electric current generators activated by the same muscular force, which send electric impulses to the main battery of the ebike in order to increase its capacity during pedaling and increase its duration .

[0005] According to the invention, it is in fact envisaged that said electric current generators are of the high- efficiency type and mounted on the pedals of the e-bike according to a configuration such that during pedaling, electric impulses are generated and sent by suitable wiring to the main battery of the e-bike and from there to the electric motor propulsion means with which a pedal- assisted bicycle is normally equipped, so as to contribute to maintaining the charge and capacity of the battery precisely during its use during pedaling .

[0006] The system according to the invention fits into the sector of electric bicycles or e-bikes , alias ebikes , in their most varied forms , or vehicles powered by human muscle power with the addition of electric means , called pedal-assisted, to assist their propulsion .

[0007] PRIOR ART

[0008] As is known, pedal-assisted bicycles and cycles in general, which from here on will be called ebikes , include an electric motor, generally mounted on the central movement hub that supports the cranks or on the hub of one of the wheels , a lithium battery, or main battery, and a system of sensors that perform the function of instantly detecting the force applied to the pedals and communicating with a control unit connected to a display with which it is possible to control the assistance to be provided during pedaling .

[0009] In fact , with the display located on the handlebars it is possible to view all the operating parameters of the e-bike, as well as increase or decrease the power level required by the motor, checking the parameters by means of a battery charge status indicator .

[0010] At the precise moment of turning on of the motor, the foot is assisted in the movement with the benefit of being able to maintain its own rhythm and go faster . This applies to a city bike, a mountain bike or even a racing bike .

[0011] Pedal-assisted bicycles or e-bikes represent ecological solutions for daily travel, both in the city and for sports , and help reduce the environmental impact of transport , as well as promoting an active and healthy lifestyle .

[0012] The main batteries of electric bikes , i . e . those used to operate the pedal propulsion motor, must be regularly charged to ensure the necessary performance and the only way known to date to recharge them is to connect them to a power supply connected to the mains socket , or according to some solutions it is possible to partially recharge the battery by recovering it from the wheels but only when going downhill .

[0013] In some cases , the use of a current generator applied to each pedal of a bicycle is known, but the production of electric current is extremely limited and in fact it is used exclusively to recharge low-consumption light elements placed on the pedals themselves , or low- consumption sensors used to detect pedaling force, or even to automate the locking of cycling footwear equipped with a special attachment to the pedal body .

[0014] For example, document CN106976509A is known, which refers to a pedal comprising means for detecting the pressure of a cyclist ' s feet on a power-assisted bicycle and a power-assisted control method .

[0015] According to this document , the pedal comprises a pressure sensor, connected to a rechargeable buffer battery, to a small current generator and to a microcontroller, all components arranged in a housing obtained in the pedal itself . According to this solution, an electric connection of the current generator to a circuit is also provided through a brush structure arranged in correspondence with a rotary coupling between the rotating shaft of the pedal and the pedal housing itself .

[0016] This solution does not require any wired electric connection between the current generator placed on the pedals and the electric drive units of the e-bike, i . e . the motor and the main battery, but much more simply the pressure sensor acquires the pedaling force of the cyclist and transmits it to a wireless transmission module of the pedals which sends the received signal to the wireless receiving module of the main controller which determines whether the value of the pedaling force of the left pedal or the right pedal is correct , otherwise it rectifies the output power of the power motor to generate thrust power .

[0017] Therefore, the power generator emits low-energy electric pulses just enough to emit wireless signals from the pressure sensor to the ebike ' s main controller, so the power generator is not only insufficient for other purposes but above all it lacks a wired electric connection between the pedals and the ebike ' s main battery, so it is certainly not capable of recharging the main battery of an ebike to extend its charging capacity .

[0018] Also known in the art is document DE 10 2022 115958 Al which refers to a pedal system for a bicycle comprising a pedal body which can be rotationally mounted on a crank arm of the bicycle and which comprises a fastening mechanism which can be electrically switched between a fastening position and a release position to secure a shoe equipped with a suitable attachment , to the pedal body . The system comprises a control unit for activating the fastening mechanism, an electric connection for connecting the pedal system to an electric power source or small generator .

[0019] In practice, even in this case, all the mechanical and electric components are mounted inside the pedal and are only used to fix the shoe to the pedal ; therefore, there is no wired electric connection between the generators located in the pedals and the main battery of the ebike, so they are certainly not able to recharge the main battery of an ebike to extend its duration .

[0020] Another prior art document is CN 2066 44944 U which discloses a smart bicycle pedal comprising a battery- powered solar panel, a rotating generator, a rechargeable battery, and a smart module, all located inside the pedal .

[0021] The rotation of the pedal drives the rotary generator to generate electricity to charge the rechargeable battery while driving, and at the same time the solar panel is connected with the rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery inside the pedal . The rechargeable battery powers the smart module, a wireless communication module, a positioning module, an acceleration sensor and a Bluetooth car lock .

[0022] In practice, this system only allows data to be transmitted from a positioning module ( such as a GPS chip) , from an acceleration sensor or from a Bluetooth car lock, all located inside the pedals , to a smart terminal ( such as a smart phone or tablet ) or a remote server through a wireless communication module .

[0023] In this case, therefore, it is a solution that can be applied to any bicycle, even if it is not electric or assisted, and consequently a system is obtained completely devoid of wired electric connections between pedals and the main typical electric components , connections that would be necessary if one wanted to supply auxiliary power to the main battery of an ebike, which in this case is not even present . DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention aims to bring about a significant improvement in the duration of the main batteries of pedal-assisted bicycles , so as to increase the performance of the main battery itself during pedaling, with greater assistance in the form of energy to be sent to the motor, and to overcome the insufficiency of the above-mentioned electric power supply means .

[0025] In particular, purpose of the invention is to provide an auxiliary electric power supply system for the main battery of pedal-assisted bicycles or cycles , which contributes , through the simple push of the cyclist ' s feet on the pedals , to power the battery so as to increase its capacity and, even significantly, the duration of the capacity during use .

[0026] Even more specifically, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary electric power supply system based on the push that the cyclist exerts on the pedals equipped with pairs of high- efficiency generators which are thus activated, producing electric energy to be sent to the main battery of the ebike .

[0027] According to the invention, this auxiliary electric power supply system is obtained by applying at least one electric current generator, preferably two electric current generators positioned in at least one or preferably both pedals of the bicycle, where said two generators for each pedal transform the mechanical work received from the muscular mechanical energy source of the cyclist ' s legs which would otherwise be lost , into electric energy in the form of direct current to be sent by means of electric wiring to the main battery connected to the ebike motor, in order to contribute to maintaining the charge of the battery itself , which can last longer before the next electric recharge by means of power supply at the mains socket .

[0028] The electric energy supplied by the high efficiency current generators located in the pedals is transmitted by means of suitable wired connections for maximum electric energy recovery which are the subj ect of the invention, to the main battery circuit of the pedal-assisted bicycle, connections which put the current generators in electric communication with the main battery of the ebike .

[0029] According to the main embodiment , an ebike comprising a main motor located in correspondence with the driving means of the ebike, a main battery connected to said main motor, a control unit that manages the electric system of the ebike, is associated with the two pedals located at the end of the respective cranks , each of which is equipped with two electric generators located laterally to the rotation shaft of the pedals and coaxial to it .

[0030] The electric cables of different polarity coming out of said current generators are connected to rotating circular electric joints that transfer electric energy by means of wiring, the one being positive and the other negative, passing through seats made in the pedal shaft and from this , through special seats made on the cranks , they connect to a further central circular joint located in correspondence with the central movement of the cranks , which in turn is connected again by wiring to the main battery of the ebike in order to provide it with a significant supply of auxiliary electric energy that helps to maintain its charge level, increasing its duration .

[0031] ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further features and details of the invention may be better understood from the following description, given by way of example and not by way of limitation, as well as from the attached drawing scheme in which :

[0033] - Figures 1 to 3 represent schematic views of a traditional pedal-assisted bicycle to which the auxiliary power supply unit according to the invention can be applied .

[0034] - Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with the pedals of an assisted bicycle comprising the auxiliary power means according to the invention connected by wiring to the main battery .

[0035] - Figures 5 and 6 show schematic views of details relating respectively to the electric components and their connections installed respectively in an ebike pedal and in the central movement with the mechanical group suitable for the rotation of the central pin connected to the pedals and to the crank set , i . e . to the crank with the front crown rings .

[0036] - Figure 7 is a plan and transparent view of one of the pedals equipped with an electric current generator, with rotor and stator, and a rotating electric joint connected by means of the crank to the central motorized group of the pedal-assisted bicycle .

[0037] - Figure 8 is a further transparent view in this case lateral of the pedal assembly according to the invention .

[0038] - Figures 9 and 10 illustrate schematic views of the front and rear ends of a pedal provided with means according to the invention .

[0039] - Figures 11 to 13 represent as many views and perspectives of a pedal according to the invention .

[0040] - Figure 14 is a view of an electric diagram of the electric components and their connections between the current generators placed on the pedals and the central movement and from there to the main battery of the ebike .

[0041] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0042] With reference to the first three figures of the attached drawing tables , initially to figures 1 to 3 , reference 10 indicates an ebike as a whole, comprising a frame 11 , wheels 12 and 13 , a main battery 14 and a main electric motor 15 placed in correspondence with the central pedaling movement 16 of the ebike to which the central shaft or hub 17 pertain, to which the cranks 18 and 19 are keyed, arranged in a direction opposite to each other with respect to the central movement , at the ends of such cranks being in turn keyed pedals 20 and 21 , as shown in the figures .

[0043] For the operation and control of the components and of the electric system, an ebike comprises a control unit or central processing unit or control board 47 connected to a display 22 and to the main electric motor 15 .

[0044] The object of the present invention is represented by the presence of electric current generators positioned in the pedals 20 and 21 , the energy of which, deriving from the movement of the pedals themselves , is conveyed by means of wiring to the main battery 14 of the ebike in order to increase its charge, i . e . its capacity and duration .

[0045] According to the embodiment shown in figures 4 and in detail in figure 5 , the pedal 20 will be described, considering that the opposite pedal 21 , in a mirror-like manner symmetrical with respect to the axis of the central movement of the ebike, has the same number with the addition of a "first" to distinguish them .

[0046] Therefore, according to the invention, the pedal 20 which indirectly rotates around the axis of its own rotation shaft 23 which is internally hollow ( in reality it is the shaft 23 which rotates around the pedal 20 ) , is equipped with two current generators 24 and 25 which are in a mirror-like manner symmetrical with respect to the axis of the shaft 23 , therefore the axis of the shaft 23 of the pedal 20 and the axes of the two current generators 24 and 25 are arranged on three axes parallel to each other .

[0047] It must be noted that the two current generators 24 and 25 are placed between the two spaces created between the shaft 23 and the two opposing walls 41 and 42 of the pedal, so as to limit the overall dimensions and prevent the components from protruding from the outline of the pedal .

[0048] The two generators 24 and 25 include within them respective rotors the rotating shafts 26 and 27 of which come out of their own housings to end with gear wheels 28 and 29 placed inside a casing forming part of the pedal, facing the fixing screw 30 to the crank 18 .

[0049] According to the embodiment represented in Figures 4 , 5 and 11 , the rotary drive of the two gear wheels 28 and 29 aimed at producing electric energy by the generators 24 and 25 , is imparted by a further gear wheel 32 , larger in size than the gear wheels 28 and 29, which is keyed onto the rotation shaft 23 of the pedal 20 and is integral with it , taking on its motion .

[0050] As shown in figure 12 , the gear wheels 28 , 29 and 32 that protrude from the outline of the pedal remain enclosed by a casing or shell 50 which, in addition to a protective function, allows the gears to be kept lubricated due to the possibility of introducing a lubricant inside it .

[0051] The three gear wheels 28 , 29 and 32 are therefore arranged on three parallel axes , of which the one of the wheel 32 is arranged on the axis of the pedal shaft 23 as it is integral with it , and the meshing with each other and the larger dimensions of the gear wheel 32 with respect to the wheels 28 and 29 determines a greater rotation speed of the two rotors of the generators 24 and 25 with respect to the rotation speeds of the pedal 20 .

[0052] The increase in speed of the rotation shafts 26 and 27 of the rotors of the two generators 24 and 25 with respect to the rotation of the pedal is proportional to the diameter and number of teeth of the gear wheels 28 and 29 with respect to the size of the diameter and number of teeth of the central gear wheel 32. Consequently, the larger the size and number of teeth of the central gear wheel 32 with respect to those of the two wheels 28 and 29 of the generators, the greater the rotation speed of the rotors of the generators themselves.

[0053] Still referring to figures 4, 5 and 6, on the opposite side of the pedal to the gear wheels 28, 29, 32 which drive the shafts 26 and 27 of the rotors of the two generators 24 and 25, i.e. from the part facing outwards of the pedal, the positive and negative polarities of each generator come out from the same two generators 24 and 25, respectively indicated with 33 and 34 for the generator 24 and 35, 36 for the generator 25.

[0054] Such polarities must be connected to each other in series with respect to circular rotating electric joints 37, 37' for each pedal 20 and 21, placed on the end of the hollow shafts 23, 23', so that a pair of electric cables, one positive and one negative coming from the two generators 24, 25 and 24', 25', passing through the circular rotating electric joints 37, 37', internally cross the hollow shafts 23, 23' to exit from the fixing screws 30 and 30 ' of the pedals 20 , 21 to the crank 18 .

[0055] It must be noted that a circular rotating electric joint is an electromechanical device that allows the transmission of power and electric signals from a fixed structure to a rotating one . Also called an electric collector or electric swivel, a circular rotating electric joint can be used in any electromechanical system that requires unlimited, intermittent or continuous rotation during the transmission of electric power and / or data .

[0056] It must be noted that the connection between the two generators is , as mentioned in series , that is , a positive pole 33 of the generator 24 is directly connected to the negative pole 36 of the generator 25 , while the other two poles 34 and 35 are connected to the electric cables 38 and 39 which pass through the inside of the shaft 23 , being joined by the rotating circular electric joint 37 from which they come .

[0057] The crank 18 is equipped with a casing 40 or a groove or similar seat , inside which the extensions of the aforementioned positive 38 and negative 39 electric cables coming from the rotating circular electric joint 37 are passed, which are inserted, through special holes , inside a central shaft or hub 17 of the central movement 16 of the ebike, which is made, as mentioned, of the set of components suitable for the rotation of the shaft or hub 17 itself to which the pedals 20 and 21 are connected by means of the cranks 18 and 19, one of which is called the crankset as it comprises at least one front crown wheel 49 on which the chain for transmitting motion to the rear wheel is positioned .

[0058] The central shaft or hub 17 has shaped ends 48 , for example with a square section, onto which corresponding seats of the cranksets 18 and 19 are fitted .

[0059] The central movement 16 of the ebike includes an additional central rotating circular electric joint 43 , which is applied to the axis of the central shaft or hub 17 and connects in series the positive and negative electric cables 38 and 39 coming from the respective rotating circular electric joints 37 of the two pedals 20 and 21 which transmit the electric energy produced by the generators 24 and 25 during pedaling .

[0060] In turn, two electric cables 44 and 45 exit from the circular rotating electric joint 43 , one positive and the other negative, which reach a rectifier 46 which is part of a control board 47 of the ebike to which the main battery 14 , the display 22 with the control board 47 and the main electric motor 15 of the ebike which acts on the central shaft or hub 17 of the central movement 16 of the ebike itself , are connected .

[0061] It can be noted that said rotating circular electric joints 37, 37' and 43 allow electric energy to be transferred by means of direct contact and wiring between the current generators 24, 25, 24' and 25' and the main battery 14 of the ebike passing through rotating and continuous electric connections between the pedals 20, 21 and the central shaft or hub 17.

[0062] The electric circuit of the components that allow the supply of electric energy from the generators 24 and 25 of each pedal to the main battery 14 of the ebike is represented in the electric diagram of figure 14 in which the four generators 24, 25, 24' and 25' are represented, two for each pedal 20 and 21, each pair of which are connected in series.

[0063] As shown in figures 4, 5 and 14, the two generators 24, 25, 24' and 25' of each pedal are connected in series through connections SI and S2 with the electric cables 38, 39 and 38', 39' which reach the circular rotating electric joints 37 and 37', said electric cables in turn being connected in series in the S3 group of central movement 16 of the ebike to the common central rotating electric joint 43, from which two electric cables 44 and 45 exit, one of which being positive and the other negative, which finally reach a rectifier 46 which is part of a control board 47 of the ebike to which the main battery 14, the display 22 and the main motor 15 of the ebike which acts on the central shaft or hub 17 of the central movement 16 are connected .

[0064] As can be noted, the solution described and illustrated which represents the object of the invention allows to achieve all the objectives previously set , in particular allowing the recovery of electric energy from the current generators 24 , 25 , 24 ' , 25 ' placed in the pedals 20 and 21 , so as to provide the main battery of the ebike with a significant supply of auxiliary electric energy which is extremely useful for helping to keep its charge level as high as possible, and therefore increasing its duration precisely in the moments of use and therefore of consumption, while pedaling .

[0065] The invention has been described and illustrated according to a preferred embodiment but formal and structural modifications may nevertheless be made to the solution idea which remain within the scope of protection of the same inventive concept which remains defined by the following claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Pedal-assisted bicycle, or ebike, comprising a main battery (14) suitable for operating a main electric motor (15) of the ebike, both electrically connected to a control board (47) connected to a display (22) , said motor being used for the auxiliary thrust of the ebike as it is connected to a central movement (16) which acts mechanically on the kinematics for moving the wheels (12, 13) in collaboration with the thrust of pedals (20, 21) rotationally mounted on cranks (18, 19) placed on a central shaft or hollow hub (17) of said central movement (16) , characterized in that said pedals (20, 21) comprise, each internally, two current generators (24, 25, 24', 25') connected by gear wheels (28, 29) driven by a central gear wheel (32) and placed in a mirror-like manner in the two spaces created on the sides of its own shaft (23) of the pedal, with respective parallel rotation axes, capable of supplying electric energy which is conveyed, through electric cables (38, 39 and 38', 39') and rotating circular electric joints (37, 37') placed on the pedals, to a rotating electric joint (43) placed in correspondence with said central movement (16) , and that said rotating electric joint (43) placed in correspondence with said central movement (16) , is in turn connected, throughelectric cables (44, 45) , to the main battery (14) of the ebike connected to the display (22) through said control board (47) and to the main electric motor (15) of the ebike; said electric cables (38, 39, 38', 39', 44, 45) of the generators (24, 25, 24', 25') which are connected through said rotating circular electric joints (37, 37', 43) to the main battery (14) of the ebike, being configured to provide the main battery (14) of the ebike itself with an electric energy supply during pedaling, contributing to maintaining its charge level .

2. Pedal-assisted bicycle, or ebike, according to the main claim, characterized in that said two current generators (24, 25) arranged in a mirror-like manner symmetrical with respect to the axis of the shaft (23) of the pedals (20, 21) , are arranged in such a way that the axis of the shaft (23) of the pedal (20) and the axes of the two current generators (24, 25) are parallel to each other, the axis of the shaft (23) being arranged centrally.

3. Pedal-assisted bicycle, or ebike, according to the previous claims, characterized in that said two generators (24, 25) of each pedal include internally respective rotors the rotation shafts (26, 27) of which come out of their own housings, ending with respectivegear wheels (28, 29) connected to a further coaxial central gear wheel (32) of larger dimensions and keyed onto the shaft (23) of the pedal (20) , integral with it .

4. Pedal-assisted bicycle, or ebike, according to claim 3, characterized in that the gear wheels (28, 29) of the two generators (24, 25) take motion from the gear wheel (32) of the pedal shaft (23) during its rotation imparted during pedaling.

5. Bicycle or ebike according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the increase in speed of the rotation shafts (26, 27) of the rotors of the two generators (24, 25) with respect to the rotation of the pedal is proportional to the smaller diameter and the lower number of teeth of the gear wheels (28, 29) of the generators (24, 25) with respect to the larger dimensions of the diameter and the greater number of teeth of the central gear wheel (32) from which the gear wheels (28, 29) take motion, operating the generators themselves.

6. Bicycle or ebike according to claims 3, 4 and 5, characterized in that the larger the size and number of teeth of the central gear wheel (32) , compared to those of the two gear wheels (28, 29) of the generators, the greater the rotation speed of the rotors of thegenerators themselves.

7. Bicycle or ebike according to the previous claims characterized in that from two pairs of generators (24, 25, 24' 25') derive pairs of respective polarities (33, 34) and (35, 36) which are connected in series by means of connections (SI, S2) to respective rotating circular electric joints (37, 37') from which in turn derive electric cables (38, 39) which pass through the respective hollow shafts (23, 23') of the pedals (20, 21) , to pass along cranks (18, 19) and reach said rotating circular electric joint (43) entering through holes in said central shaft or hollow hub (17) .

8. Bicycle or ebike according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that said circular rotating electric joint (43) placed on the central movement (16) , connects in series by means of a connection (S3) , positive and negative electric cables (38, 39) which come from respective circular rotating electric joints (37, 37') of the two pedals (20, 21) , transmitting to the main battery (14) of the ebike the electric energy produced by the generators (24, 25 and 24', 25') of each pedal during pedaling.

9. Bicycle or ebike according to claims 1, 7 and 8 characterized in that said rotating circular electric joint (43) transmits the electric energy produced bythe generators (24, 25 and 24', 25') to the main battery (14) of the ebike passing through a rectifier (46) forming part of a control board (47) to provide the main battery (14) of the ebike itself with an electric energy supply during pedaling, contributing to maintaining its charge level.

10. Bicycle or ebike according to claims 1 and 7 characterized in that said cranks (18, 19) are equipped with a casing (40, 40') or respective grooves or similar seats, inside which the extensions of the electric cables (38, 39) coming from the rotating circular electric joint (37) are passed, in which said extensions of the cables (38, 39) are inserted, through holes, inside said central shaft or hollow hub (17) of the central movement (16) of the ebike, reaching the central rotating circular electric joint (43) .

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