Electric Drive Cold Start Heating for E-Bike Accumulator Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric bicycles and scooters with electric drives are prone to mechanical damage and component failure at low temperatures due to the brittleness of plastic components, leading to potential mechanical damage and sensor failures, limiting their operational range to temperatures between -10°C and +40°C.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a control unit and temperature sensors to heat the drive unit, including the electric drive and accumulator, allowing targeted heating based on temperature signals to maintain operational safety and functionality below 0°C, with the electric drive generating heat even when not in use to prevent damage and maintain component functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electric drive operates at low temperatures, then the vehicle can be used in cold conditions, but mechanical damage occurs to plastic components due to brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit activates the electric drive to generate heat before the vehicle is actually driven in cold conditions. This preliminary heating action raises the temperature of plastic components above their glass transition temperature, preventing brittleness and mechanical damage during subsequent operation. The system proactively prepares the components for cold environment operation rather than reacting to damage after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the drive unit components by utilizing the electric drive as a heating element. By controlling the electric drive to operate in a heating mode rather than propulsion mode, the system alters the thermal state of plastic components from a brittle low-temperature state to a flexible high-temperature state, enabling safe operation in cold environments.
2Reliability
If the electric drive generates heat to warm the drive unit, then component functionality is maintained at low temperatures, but energy is consumed for heating
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive serves dual purposes: it can propel the vehicle forward and it can generate heat for warming the drive unit. By utilizing the electric drive's inherent heating capability during normal operation or idle periods, the system heats itself without requiring a separate heating system or additional energy input. The electric drive essentially services its own thermal needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the typically harmful effect of heat generation (energy loss during electric drive operation) into a beneficial heating function. Instead of treating the heat generated by the electric drive as wasted energy that reduces efficiency, the system utilizes this heat to warm plastic components and maintain their functionality in cold temperatures, turning an energy loss into a protective function.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic components are used in the electric drive, then cost is reduced and weight is decreased, but the components become brittle and prone to damage at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the plastic components by using the electric drive as a heating element. This parameter change temporarily alters the physical properties of the plastic, raising it above its glass transition temperature to restore flexibility and strength without changing the material composition or design. The same plastic components that are brittle at low temperatures become sufficiently strong when heated.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit activates heating of the drive unit before the vehicle is driven in cold conditions, performing a preliminary action that prevents the plastic components from being in a brittle state during operation. This proactive temperature management ensures that components maintain adequate strength throughout their service life in cold environments.
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 safe and damage-free operation of electric bicycles and scooters at low temperatures, extending the service life of the drive unit and maintaining stable sensor signal quality, while also slowing down accumulator aging and improving lubrication, thus ensuring reliable performance in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the control device is set up to control the electric drive, based on a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, in such a way that the electric drive generates heat in order to heat the at least one part of the drive unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrically and/or muscle-powered means of transport, in particular an electric bicycle or electric scooter, comprising a drive unit with an electric drive (3) and an accumulator (11), a control unit (10) and a temperature sensor (12, 13, 14, 15) for detecting a temperature of at least one part of the drive unit, in particular the accumulator, wherein the control unit (10) is configured, based on a temperature signal from the temperature sensor (12, 13, 14, 15), to control the electric drive (3) in such a way that the electric drive (3) generates heat in order to heat the at least one part of the drive unit, in particular the accumulator.