Adaptive Regenerative Braking Controller for Electric Bicycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric power-assisted vehicles, such as electric bicycles, face challenges in regenerative braking as the pre-determined configurations do not align with the rider's intentions, leading to excessive or insufficient deceleration, causing discomfort and hand fatigue during prolonged braking operations, especially when descending long downward slopes.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that detects start and stop signals for regeneration control, adjusts a control coefficient based on vehicle speed to maintain a desired power generation efficiency, allowing for adaptive regenerative braking force that aligns with the rider's intentions, and automatically restarts regeneration control when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pre-determined regeneration control configurations are used, then regeneration operation can be enabled, but the deceleration does not align with rider intentions causing discomfort and hand fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking operationVSAvoiddeceleration adaptation to rider intentions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of regenerative braking force based on rider input signals. The control coefficient is continuously modified according to the difference between current and target vehicle speeds, allowing the system to adapt to changing rider intentions and road conditions rather than using fixed pre-determined configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the detection part monitors rider inputs (brake lever operation, pedal input) and the control coefficient computing part adjusts the regenerative braking force accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the deceleration aligns with rider intentions by continuously comparing actual vehicle speed with target speed and modifying the control coefficient to minimize the difference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If repeated braking operations are performed to maintain desired speed, then speed control can be achieved, but hand fatigue occurs due to prolonged operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speed controlVSAvoidbraking operation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of regenerative braking force without requiring continuous rider intervention. Once the rider initiates regeneration control, the control coefficient computing part automatically maintains the desired vehicle speed by continuously adjusting the control coefficient based on speed feedback, eliminating the need for repeated braking operations and reducing hand fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous regenerative braking action by maintaining the control coefficient adjustment process throughout the descent. The system continuously monitors vehicle speed and adjusts the control coefficient to sustain the desired speed, providing uninterrupted speed control rather than intermittent braking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Use of energy by moving object

If regenerative braking force is increased to improve energy recovery, then power generation efficiency improves, but the braking becomes excessive causing rider panic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recovery efficiencyVSAvoidexcessive deceleration causing panic
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the control coefficient parameter based on vehicle speed and rider intentions. By adjusting this parameter, the system optimizes the regenerative braking force to achieve desired power generation efficiency while preventing excessive deceleration that would cause rider panic. The control coefficient acts as a scaling factor that modulates the braking force to match rider comfort requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control of regenerative braking force through continuous adjustment of the control coefficient. This dynamic approach allows the braking force to adapt to changing conditions, maximizing energy recovery when appropriate while reducing force when it would cause excessive deceleration, thereby preventing rider panic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables consistent and appropriate regenerative braking force, reducing the need for repeated or prolonged braking operations, thus enhancing rider comfort and reducing hand fatigue while maintaining efficient energy recovery.

Implementation Method 1

the motor achieves a desired power generation efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2724924B1Motor drive controller and electric power-assisted vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 TAIYO YUDEN KK
  • EP2724924B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2724924B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2724924B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller (102) for driving a motor (105) in a motor driven vehicle (1), provided with: a detection part (1210), a control coefficient computing part (1201), and a control part (1203, 1204). The control coefficient computing part (1201) identifies, as a first vehicle speed, the speed of the vehicle (1) when the detection part (1210) detects a start signal for regeneration control, the control coefficient computing part (1201) assigning a prescribed value to a control coefficient that determines a value of a control parameter that controls the motor (105) relative to a target value of the control parameter. The target value is a value of the control parameter at which the motor (105) achieves a desired power generation efficiency, and the control coefficient computing part (1201) increases the control coefficient if a current vehicle speed becomes higher than the first vehicle speed, and decreases the control coefficient if the current vehicle speed becomes less than the first vehicle speed.