E-Bike Walk Mode Activation Using Plausibility Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current two-stage activation concepts for electric bicycles are not intuitive and prone to accidental activation, making them difficult to use and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A single-stage activation method using additional sensors to verify the plausibility of the trigger signal based on bicycle position, speed, rider torque, cadence, and trigger duration, ensuring activation only when conditions are met, thereby preventing accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the driver's intent is determined based on both operation state and environment information, then the accuracy of intent determination is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent modules: an operation state acquisition module that collects data from sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, handlebar sensors), an environment information acquisition module that captures road and surrounding conditions, and a neural network-based determination module that processes both data types. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific tasks independently, improving overall accuracy while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
A neural network model serves as an intermediary between the raw sensor data (operation state and environment information) and the final driving intent determination. The neural network processes and integrates multiple data streams, transforming complex multi-dimensional inputs into interpretable intent classifications, thereby bridging the gap between comprehensive data collection and actionable control decisions.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to acquire operation state and environment information, then the reliability of control decisions is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality where a single integrated sensor unit performs multiple measurement tasks. The sensor assembly includes accelerometers for detecting linear acceleration, gyroscopes for angular velocity, and handlebar sensors for torque detection, all within a unified structure that serves both operation state monitoring and environment perception functions, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the control system processes both operation state and environment information through neural network, then the accuracy of driving intent recognition is improved, but the computational requirements and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data processing and feature extraction before neural network inference. Operation state data from sensors is pre-processed to extract relevant features (acceleration patterns, angular velocity changes, torque characteristics), and environment information is pre-filtered to identify significant contextual factors. This preliminary action reduces the dimensionality and complexity of inputs to the neural network, thereby lowering computational requirements and energy consumption while maintaining recognition accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling an electric bicycle that can be operated with motor force and/or with pedal force, comprising the method steps of: - providing a trigger signal for enabling the activation of a walk mode to a control unit of the electric bicycle; - providing a measurement signal of a sensor device regarding a property of the electric bicycle and/or regarding a component comprised by the electric bicycle to the control unit; - detecting plausibility of the trigger signal on the basis of the provided measurement signal; - controlling the electric bicycle by enabling the activation of the walk mode in accordance with the detection of the plausibility of the trigger signal. The invention also relates to a vehicle, more particularly an electric bicycle, that can be operated with motor force and/or with pedal force.