Intelligent electric bicycle automatically operable in different modes

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to an electric bicycle, more particularly to an intelligent electric bicycle that is automatically operable in different modes.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Bicycles are not only a convenient, low-cost and environmental friendly form of transport, they are also useful for health fitness and recreation. To enhance strength, comfort and functionality of bicycles, many auxiliary devices have been proposed heretofore.

[0006] Electric bicycles that permit manual cycling and power-assisted cycling are known in the art. However, conventional electric bicycles require the bicycle rider to continuously actuate the throttle for varying the bicycle moving speed, which is tiring and uncomfortable for the rider especially during long distance cycling.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent electric bicycle that is automatically operable in different modes for enhanced convenience, comfort and functionality.

[0008] Accordingly, the electric bicycle of this invention includes a pedal drive unit manually operable for driving forward movement of the bicycle, a power assist unit electrically operable for driving the forward movement of the bicycle, a tread detector for detecting treading action on the pedal drive unit, a throttle unit for controlling output power of the power assist unit, a speed sensor for detecting moving speed of the bicycle, and a controller coupled electrically to the power assist unit, the tread detector, the throttle unit and the speed sensor.

[0009] In operation, simultaneous treading action on the pedal drive unit and actuation of the throttle unit enable the controller to operate in a user-controlled power distribution mode, in which the output power of the power assist unit is controlled via the throttle unit.

[0010] In addition, when the moving speed of the bicycle has reached a predetermined speed setting, actuation of the throttle unit without treading action on the pedal drive unit enables the controller to operate in an automatic drive mode, in which the output power of the power assist unit is controlled via the throttle unit.

[0011] Preferably, when the controller operates in the user-controlled power distribution mode, and the throttle unit has been actuated to a current speed setting for a preset time period, the controller switches operation to a first cruise control mode, in which as long as treading action on the pedal drive unit continues, the current speed setting of the throttle unit is maintained without the need for continued actuation of the throttle unit.

[0012] Preferably, when the controller operates in the automatic drive mode, and the throttle unit has been actuated to a current speed setting for a preset time period, the controller switches operation to a second cruise control mode, in which as long as there is no treading action on the pedal drive unit, the current speed setting of the throttle unit is maintained without the need for continued actuation of the throttle unit.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment of an intelligent electric bicycle according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the preferred embodiment; and

[0016] FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram to illustrate the different operating modes of a controller of the preferred embodiment.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of an intelligent electric bicycle 10 according to the present invention is shown to comprise a pedal drive unit 11 manually operable for driving forward movement of the bicycle 10, a power assist unit 12 including a motor 30 that is electrically operable for driving the forward movement of the bicycle 10, a handlebar unit 13 for controlling moving direction of the bicycle 10, a brake unit 14 for braking the bicycle 10, a battery 20 for supplying electric power, a tread detector 40 for detecting treading action on the pedal drive unit 11, a throttle unit 50 mounted on the handlebar unit 13 and operable so as to control output power of the motor 30 of the power assist unit 12, a brake sensor 60 for sensing braking action of the bicycle 10, a speed sensor 70 for detecting moving speed of the bicycle 10, and a controller 80 connected to the battery 20, the motor 30, the tread detector 40, the throttle unit 50, the brake sensor 60, and the speed sensor 70.

[0018] The controller 80 includes a motor drive circuit 81, a pair of signal converters 82 and 83, a pair of signal receivers 84 and 85, and a processor unit 86 connected to the motor drive circuit 81, the signal converters 82, 83, and the signal receivers 84, 85.

[0019] The motor drive circuit 81 is connected to the battery 20 and the motor 30, and is controlled by the processor unit 86 to control in turn output power of the motor 30 in a known manner. The signal converter 82 is connected to the tread detector 40, and converts an analog output of the latter into a corresponding digital signal that is supplied to the processor unit 86. The signal converter 83 is connected to the throttle unit 50, and converts an analog output of the latter into a corresponding digital signal that is supplied to the processor unit 86. The signal receiver 84 is connected to the brake sensor 60, and provides a digital output of the latter to the processor unit 86. The signal receiver 85 is connected to the speed sensor 70, and provides a digital output of the latter to the processor unit 86.

[0020] With further reference to FIG. 3, initially, the controller 80 of the bicycle 10 is in an idle state. When the rider turns on a power switch (event A₁) the operating state of the controller 80 changes to an active state. A change from the active state back to the idle state occurs when the power switch is turned off (event A₂).

[0021] When the controller 80 is in the active state, simultaneous treading action on the pedal drive unit 11 as detected by the processor unit 86 via the tread detector 40 and the signal converter 82 and actuation of the throttle unit 50 as detected by the processor unit 86 via the signal converter 83 (event A₃) causes the controller 80 to operate in a user-controlled power distribution mode, in which the output power of the motor 30 of the power assist unit 12 is controlled by the processor unit 86 through the motor drive circuit 81 according to the actuation of the throttle unit 50.

[0022] On the other hand, when the controller 80 is in the active state, upon detection by the processor unit 86 that the moving speed of the bicycle 10 has reached a predetermined speed setting, such as 5 kph, via the speed sensor 70 and the signal receiver 85, actuation of the throttle unit 50 without treading action on the pedal drive unit 11 (event A₄) causes the controller 80 to operate in an automatic drive mode, in which the output power of the motor 30 of the power assist unit 12 is controlled by the processor unit 86 through the motor drive circuit 81 according to the actuation of the throttle unit 50.

[0023] When the controller 80 operates in the user-controlled power distribution drive mode, upon detection by the processor unit 86 that the treading action on the pedal drive unit 11 has stopped for at least a preset time period (event A₅), such as 3 seconds, the controller 80 will operate in the automatic drive mode.

[0024] Moreover, when the controller 80 operates in the user-controlled power distribution mode, upon detection by the processor unit 86 that the throttle unit 50 has been actuated to a current speed setting for a preset time period (event A₆), such as 6 seconds, the controller 80 switches operation to a first cruise control mode, in which as long as treading action on the pedal drive unit 11 continues, the current speed setting of the throttle unit 50 is maintained without the need for continued actuation of the throttle unit 50.

[0025] When the controller 80 operates in the first cruise control mode, upon detection by the processor unit 86 that the throttle unit 50 has been actuated to a selected setting higher than the current speed setting (event A₇), the controller 80 switches operation from the first cruise control mode back to the user-controlled power distribution mode.

[0026] When the controller 80 operates in the automatic drive mode, upon detection by the processor unit 86 of the presence of a treading action on the pedal drive unit 11 for-at least a preset time period (event A₈), such as 3 seconds, the controller 80 switches operation from the automatic drive mode to the user-controlled power distribution mode.

[0027] Moreover, when the controller 80 operates in the automatic drive mode, upon detection by the processor unit 86 that the throttle unit 50 has been actuated to a current speed setting for a preset time period (event A₉), such as 6 seconds, the controller 80 switches operation to a second cruise control mode, in which as long as there is no treading action on the pedal drive unit 11, the current speed setting of the throttle unit 50 is maintained without the need for continued actuation of the throttle unit 50.

[0028] When the controller 80 operates in the second cruise control mode, upon detection by the processor unit 86 that the throttle unit 50 has been actuated to a selected setting higher than the current speed setting (event A₁₀), the controller 80 switches operation from the second cruise control mode back to the automatic drive mode.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment, a change in the operating mode of the controller 80 from the first cruise control mode to the second cruise control mode is possible upon detection by the processor unit 86 that the treading action on the pedal drive unit 11 has stopped for at least a preset time period (event A₁₁) such as 3 seconds. On the other hand, a change in the operating mode of the controller 80 from the second cruise control mode to the first cruise control mode is possible upon detection by the processor unit 86 of the presence of treading action on the pedal drive unit 11 for at least a preset time period (event A₁₂), such as 3 seconds.

[0030] Preferably, during operation of the controller 80 in any of the user-controlled power distribution mode, the automatic drive mode, the first cruise control mode, and the second cruise control mode, upon detection by the processor unit 86 of a braking action of the bicycle 10 via the brake sensor 60 and the signal receiver 84, the controller 80 switches operation back to the active state.

[0031] It has thus been shown that the intelligent electric bicycle of this invention can provide convenience and comfort for the rider during use. Moreover, the ease of use and laborsaving effect will prevent the rider from over-exerting his/her wrists since continuous twisting and turning of the throttle unit as in the case of conventional electric bicycles is not required. The functionality of electric bicycles is also promoted in the present invention.

[0032] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.