E-Bike Push Walk Brake Control on Uphill Slopes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrically assisted bicycles may experience unintended backward movement on uphill slopes when the user accidentally releases the operational element for push walk assistance.

Innovation Solution

The bicycle is equipped with a controller that switches between cycling and push walk modes, utilizing an electric motor for assistance, and includes a brake unit that applies a braking force based on vehicle inclination angle information to swiftly suppress backward movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user operates the operational element to select the second mode for push walk assistance, then the motor applies push walk assisting torque to the wheel, but if the user accidentally releases their finger from the operational element on an uphill slope, the bicycle cannot immediately be suppressed from backward movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepush walk operationVSAvoidbackward movement suppression

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller pre-acquires vehicle inclination angle information during the push walk mode and prepares braking control in advance. When the operational element is released, the controller can immediately apply braking force based on the pre-acquired inclination data, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur while detecting the slope after release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the operation state of the operational element and provides feedback control. When release is detected, the controller immediately responds by applying braking force based on the vehicle inclination angle, creating a closed-loop control system that swiftly counteracts unintended backward movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the controller waits for vehicle speed to fall below a predetermined value before applying brake, then the braking action is more precise, but the response time to suppress backward movement is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking timing precisionVSAvoidbackward movement suppression speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The controller pre-acquires vehicle inclination angle information while the push walk mode is active, before the operational element is released. This preliminary preparation allows the controller to immediately apply braking force when release is detected, without waiting for vehicle speed to decrease, thus maintaining both precision and rapid response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the brake unit is always engaged on uphill slopes, then backward movement is prevented, but the ease of operation during push walking is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackward movement preventionVSAvoidpush walk operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The brake control system dynamically adjusts its state based on real-time operation detection. The brake is engaged only when the operational element is released while on an uphill slope, and released when push walk operation is detected. This dynamic control provides reliability when needed without interfering with normal push walk operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the operation state of the operational element and adjusts brake engagement accordingly. When push walk operation is detected, the brake is released; when release is detected on an uphill slope, the brake is engaged. This feedback-based control ensures the brake is only active when unintended backward movement is likely, maintaining ease of operation during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The system effectively prevents unintended backward movement by precisely detecting the potential for such occurrences and applying braking forces, ensuring stable operation on uphill slopes.

Implementation Method 1

a brake unit configured to apply a braking force to suppress backward movement of the vehicle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a controller configured to switchably implement a first mode in which a first assist driving force output from the electric motor is additionally used for cycling along with a human powered driving force based on a pedaling force applied to a pedal, and a second mode in which a second assist driving force output from the electric motor is additionally used for push walking the bicycle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS12485994B2Electrically assisted bicycle

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

It is an object of the present disclosure to prevent backward movement of a bicycle on an uphill slope, the backward movement not being intended by a user. An electrically assisted bicycle according to an example of embodiments includes a controller, a second mode operational element, a brake unit, and an acceleration sensor. The controller controls the brake unit based on vehicle inclination angle information acquired by the acceleration sensor in a predetermined time period immediately preceding a time at which an operation of the second mode operational element is stopped.