Virtual Gearing for Chainless E-Bikes Using Pedal Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transportation solutions for short distances, such as public transportation, taxis, and bikeshare services, are often inconvenient, inflexible, and expensive, lacking user agency in route selection and requiring extensive infrastructure, which hinders efficient on-demand transportation within city centers.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous electronic bicycle system that allows bicycles to be requested on-demand, autonomously navigating to users and then transitioning to manual mode for rider operation, utilizing a combination of electric motors, sensors, and navigation systems to optimize route and balance, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure and providing user-controlled travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If public transportation is used, then transportation service is provided, but it does not provide service from user's current location or to desired destination
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation system is segmented into multiple autonomous electronic bicycles distributed throughout the service area, each capable of independent operation and autonomous navigation to user locations, thereby providing service from current locations while maintaining adaptability across the entire service region
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous electronic bicycles perform self-service by autonomously navigating to users and transitioning to manual mode, eliminating the need for fixed pickup points or drivers while providing service from any location within the service area
2Ease of operation
If taxi or rideshare services are used, then transportation is provided, but it is expensive and removes user's agency in choosing the route
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical driver-operated vehicle with an autonomous electronic bicycle that users can manually control, substituting human driver agency with user direct control through manual pedaling and steering, thereby restoring user agency while reducing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational mode parameter from fully automated driver-controlled to manual user-controlled, allowing users to select routes and control the vehicle directly, thereby improving user agency while eliminating the need for expensive driver services
3Adaptability or versatility
If bikeshare services use many static pickup points, then service coverage is improved, but it requires extensive infrastructure at large expense
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static pickup points to dynamic autonomous vehicles that can move themselves to users, eliminating the need for fixed infrastructure while maintaining comprehensive service coverage through the mobility of the electronic bicycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the pickup point infrastructure by eliminating fixed locations entirely, allowing users to access bicycles at any location within the service area as the autonomous vehicles navigate independently to meet user demands
4Force
If traditional mechanical gear systems are used, then torque transmission is achieved, but it increases device complexity and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical gear transmission system with an electronic torque control system using a hub motor, eliminating complex mechanical gears, chains, and derailleurs while achieving efficient torque transmission through electronic control of motor output
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the torque transmission mechanism from mechanical gear ratios to electronic motor control parameters, allowing variable torque output through electronic adjustment of motor current and voltage, thereby simplifying the mechanical system while maintaining force transmission efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous electronic bicycle comprises a frame, a wheel that can be powered by a first electronic motor, and a pedal assembly connected to a pedal motor. The pedal assembly is not mechanically connected to the wheel, but the autonomous electronic bicycle simulates a mechanical connection by powering the rear wheel proportional to the user's pedaling force. The autonomous electronic bicycle uses a virtual gear ratio based on the cadence of the rider, the current incline of the bicycle, and the current speed of the bicycle. The virtual gear ratio can be a ratio between a torque of the set of pedals and a torque of the wheel.