Electric Bicycle Pedal Generator with Planetary Gear Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric bicycles with chains face issues such as complex structure, large size, chain separation, and clothing entanglement, and require efficient conversion of pedal rotational force into electric energy to achieve a compact and high-power-generating design.
Innovation Solution
The electric bicycle incorporates a compact generator with an accelerating unit comprising sun gears, planetary gears, and a ring gear to increase rotational speed, and a generating unit with a rotor and stator to efficiently convert pedal energy into electricity, featuring a two-stage accelerating unit configuration and separate housing for simplicity and enhanced power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a chain is used to connect pedals to wheels, then the bicycle can transmit force effectively, but the structure becomes complicated and the area occupied is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chain from the bicycle system entirely, extracting the problematic force transmission component. Instead of using a chain to connect pedals to wheels, the invention uses a direct drive mechanism where the pedal shaft is directly connected to the wheel hub, eliminating the need for chain transmission and its associated complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical chain transmission system with a direct mechanical connection system. The pedal shaft directly connects to the wheel hub through a bearing, substituting the complex chain-based mechanical transmission with a simpler direct drive mechanism that achieves force transmission without requiring chains
2Force
If a chain is used to connect pedals to wheels, then force transmission is possible, but the area occupied is large causing chain separation and clothing entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chain from the bicycle system entirely, extracting the problematic force transmission component. The chain is completely eliminated from the design, removing the source of area occupation, chain separation, and clothing entanglement issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a distributed chain-based transmission system to a compact direct drive system. By eliminating the chain and using direct connections, the patent reduces the spatial footprint of the transmission mechanism, preventing chain separation and clothing entanglement
3Volume of moving object
If the generator is made compact, then the bicycle size is reduced, but the power-generating efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the generator components nested within the pedal housing structure. The stator is positioned inside the pedal housing, and the rotor is integrated with the pedal shaft, creating a compact nested arrangement that maximizes space utilization while maintaining generator functionality and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the generator components with the pedal housing structure. The stator is integrated into the pedal housing, and the rotor is combined with the pedal shaft, creating a unified compact assembly that reduces overall generator size while maintaining power-generating efficiency through proper magnetic circuit design
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
This design achieves a compact and efficient power-generating electric bicycle by effectively increasing rotational speed and simplifying the structure, enhancing power-generating efficiency while minimizing the risk of chain-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
The accelerating unit may include a sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears, a carrier, and a ring gear. The plurality of planetary gears may be configured to rotate while being teeth-coupled to an outer circumference of the sun gear.
Implementation Method 2
The generating unit may be provided with a rotor and a stator. The pedal shaft may be configured to pass through the rotor. The sun gear may be connected to the rotor.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric bicycle configured to generate electricity by pedals thereof, the electric bicycle includes a front frame provided with a front wheel and a handle; a center frame provided with pedals and a saddle, a rear frame provided with a rear wheel; a pedal housing provided at the a front frame provided with a front wheel and a handle, a center frame provided with pedals and a saddle, a rear frame provided with a rear wheel, a pedal housing provided at the center frame, a pedal shaft provided with the pedals at both end portions thereof while passing through the pedal housing, an accelerating unit allowing the pedal shaft to pass therethrough and provided with an input side directly connected to the pedal shaft to increase rotational speed, and a generating unit allowing the pedal shaft to pass therethrough and directly connected to an output side of the accelerating unit.