Power-Assisted Bicycle Motor Control for Parking Lock Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power-assisted bicycles parked at stations face issues where the electric motor's force can unintentionally act on the lock device and bicycle body, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the need for reinforcement.

Innovation Solution

A power-assisted bicycle system that includes a motor controller and sensing device to restrict the electric motor from driving when the bicycle is parked, preventing excessive force from being applied to the lock device and bicycle body, and optionally notifying users to detach the battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcement structures are applied to the lock device and bicycle body to withstand motor force, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of lock device and bicycle bodyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the parked state through sensing devices before the motor force can cause damage. By detecting the parked state in advance and restricting motor operation accordingly, the system prevents the need for reinforcement structures, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the electric motor is allowed to drive freely when the bicycle is parked, then the ease of operation is improved, but the lock device and bicycle body may be damaged by excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of motor operationVSAvoiddamage to lock device and bicycle body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback through sensing devices that continuously monitor the bicycle's state. When the parked state is detected, this feedback signal triggers the motor controller to restrict motor operation, thereby preventing excessive force from damaging the lock device and bicycle body while maintaining ease of operation when not parked

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If the bicycle is parked with smaller distances between adjacent bicycles, then the space utilization is improved, but the risk of unintentional pedal pressing and motor activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking space utilizationVSAvoidrisk of unintentional motor activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the parked state through sensing devices before unintentional pedal pressing can activate the motor. By detecting the parked state in advance and preemptively restricting motor operation, the system enables closer parking arrangements while maintaining reliability and preventing unintentional motor activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2913260B1Power-assisted bicycle and assist system therefor

Publication Date: 2022.01.19 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary

A power-assisted bicycle 1 has a locked portion 8d for coupling to a lock device provided in a parking station when a bicycle is placed in the parking station. Further, the power-assisted bicycle 1 includes a device that may sense that the bicycle is placed in the parking station. The drive of the electric motor is restricted when the bicycle is placed in the parking station. According to the power-assisted bicycle, a need for reinforcement of the lock device provided in the parking station and the body of bicycle may be reduced.