Drive Controller for Motor-Assisted Bicycle Speed Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motor-assisted bicycles lack efficient mechanisms to reduce the rider's pedal force burden during travel, especially after reaching a set speed, as they rely heavily on motor-driven acceleration, which can lead to fatigue and discomfort during prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system comprising a motor, pedals, a vehicle speed sensor, and a drive controller that automatically controls vehicle speed using only the motor's driving force once a set speed is reached, allowing the rider to maintain speed or slow down without pedaling, thereby reducing the need for continuous pedal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the motor provides driving force to accelerate the vehicle, then the vehicle speed increases, but the rider must continuously apply pedal force to maintain speed, causing fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically maintaining vehicle speed using motor driving force without requiring continuous rider input. When the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed, the controller automatically adjusts motor output to maintain that speed, allowing the vehicle to serve itself rather than requiring continuous rider effort to maintain speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vehicle speed via the speed detection unit and adjusting motor driving force accordingly. The controller compares the detected speed with the target speed and automatically adjusts motor output to maintain the desired speed, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates the need for continuous rider input.
2Speed
If the rider continuously pedals to maintain vehicle speed, then the vehicle maintains speed, but the rider's energy is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven assistance system takes over the energy maintenance function from the rider. Once the vehicle reaches the predetermined speed, the controller automatically maintains speed using motor force, transferring the energy maintenance burden from the rider to the motor system, thereby reducing rider energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter by switching from rider-powered speed maintenance to motor-powered speed maintenance. The controller detects when the vehicle reaches the predetermined speed and automatically adjusts the driving force parameter from rider-input dependent to motor-input dependent, optimizing energy usage by leveraging the motor's ability to maintain speed without continuous rider effort.
3Speed
If the vehicle uses motor-driven acceleration to reach speed quickly, then the vehicle reaches set speed faster, but the rider cannot control speed reduction without pedaling
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system enables bidirectional speed control by continuously monitoring vehicle speed and adjusting motor force accordingly. When the rider wants to slow down, the controller reduces motor assistance based on the feedback signal, allowing smooth speed reduction without requiring the rider to pedal harder or brake manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic control by allowing the motor driving force to be adjusted in real-time based on rider intentions and vehicle conditions. The controller dynamically modifies the motor output to facilitate both acceleration and deceleration, providing flexible speed control that adapts to rider needs without requiring continuous pedal input.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes wheels, a motor, pedals, a vehicle speed sensor, and a drive controller configured or programmed to control driving of the motor and to perform an automatic control using a driving force from the motor alone when at least a first precondition is met in which the rider is riding the vehicle and traveling, and the vehicle speed has reached a set speed by acceleration being not only due to a driving force from the motor.