Pedal-Assisted Bicycle Motor Control System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedal-assisted bicycle control algorithms either prioritize cyclist comfort over battery duration or increase autonomy by regenerative braking, which increases cyclist effort, or by enlarging batteries, resulting in weight and cost issues.
Innovation Solution
A control system for pedal-assisted bicycles that optimizes energy flow between the motor and batteries using sensors for pedal cadence, torque, and speed, along with a closed-loop controller and a dividing module to adjust motor assistance based on resisting torque, allowing for increased autonomy without compromising pedal assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If regenerative braking is used to increase autonomy, then battery recharging capability is improved, but cyclist effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts motor assistance based on real-time conditions including battery charge level, cyclist pedaling force, and terrain characteristics. The dividing module continuously modifies the assistance level to optimize between autonomy extension and maintaining acceptable cyclist effort, rather than using fixed regenerative braking thresholds
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting motor assistance levels based on battery state of charge, cycling conditions, and rider input. When battery charge is sufficient, regenerative braking is minimized to reduce cyclist effort; when charge is low, the system selectively applies regenerative braking while maintaining comfort in priority zones
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery size is increased to increase autonomy, then energy storage capacity is improved, but bicycle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system optimizes energy management by dynamically adjusting motor assistance levels and regenerative braking application based on battery charge state, cycling conditions, and terrain. This extends effective autonomy without requiring larger batteries, thereby avoiding the weight penalty of increased battery capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors monitoring battery charge level, motor power consumption, and cycling conditions to continuously optimize energy usage. This feedback loop enables the system to extend autonomy through intelligent energy management rather than simply increasing battery size
3Ease of operation
If motor assistance is increased to maintain pedal assistance quality, then cyclist comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts motor assistance levels based on real-time conditions including battery charge state, cyclist pedaling force, terrain characteristics, and environmental factors. This enables the system to maintain high cyclist comfort when energy is available while reducing assistance levels when battery charge is low, optimizing the balance between comfort and energy consumption
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
It is disclosed a system (1) for controlling the electric motor (101) of a pedal- assisted bicycle comprising the electric motor (101) coupled to a wheel (102) of the bicycle, a pedal-thrust group (103) connected to a wheel (102) of the bicycle, and a battery (105) configured to exchange energy with the motor. The control system (1) comprises a pedal-thrust cadence sensor (2) configured to detect the pedal-thrust rate exerted by a cyclist on the pedal-thrust group (103) and configured to generate a signal representive of the pedal-thrust rate, comprises a pedal-thrust torque sensor (3) configured to detect the torque applied by the cyclist on the pedal-thrust group (103) and configured to generate a signal representive of the torque applied by the cyclist, comprises a bicycle acceleration or speed sensor (4) configured to generate a signal representive of the acceleration or speed of the bicycle, comprises a sensor (5) for detecting the power of the motor (101) and configured to generate a signal representive of the power of the motor, comprises a closed-loop controller (7) of the torque applied by the cyclist on the pedal-thrust group, comprises a closed-loop controller (9) of the resisting torque on the bicycle and comprises a dividing module (11). The closed-loop controller (7) of the torque applied by the cyclist is configured to generate a reference motor command signal based on the cyclist torque (l°cyc) based on the error between a reference cyclist torque (T°cyc) and the effective torque applied by the cyclist (Tcyc) detected by the pedal-thrust torque sensor (3). The closed-loop controller (9) of the resisting torque is configured to generate a reference motor command signal based on the resisting torque (l°env) based on the error between a reference resisting torque (T°env) and an effective resisting torque (Tenv) determined based on at least said signals representive of the motor power, of the pedal-thrust cadence and of the bicycle speed or acceleration. The dividing module (11) is configured to generate a motor reference command signal (l°mot) based on the reference motor command signal based on the cyclist torque (l°cyc), on the reference motor command signal based on the resisting torque (I°env), on the effective resisting torque (Tenv), and based on a reference dividing parameter (α).