Smart crank control for e-bike
AssigneePALTORC, Inc.
InventorsJyh-Ping Johnny Wang, Steve Chih-Ching Chou, Dann Wang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The bike's crank speed and crank position are sensed via a micro controller, torque sensor, gyro and accelerator disposed on the bike's crank. External power and control signals can be passed to and from the crank micro controller and the e-bike controller through a throttle connector of the e-bike controller via slip rings around the crank hub with and with pogo pin connectors connected to the respective slip rings. Throttle data can also be provided to the e-bike controller wirelessly via a wireless dongle coupled to the throttle connector of e-bike controller.
Claims20
A smart crank control system for an e-bike, the e-bike including a crank and an electric motor connected to an e-bike controller, the e-bike controller including a throttle connector, the smart crank system comprising:
- a strain gauge disposed on the crank;
- a control board disposed on the crank and coupled to the strain gauge, the control board including a motion sensor, a digital motion processor and a micro controller;
- and
- a plurality of slip rings disposed about the crank to provide for a power connection to the control board without interfering with rotation of the crank,
- wherein the control board is coupled to the e-bike controller through the throttle connector of the e-bike controller.
A method of providing electrical pedal assistance to the rider of an e-bike, the method comprising:
- determining a torque data from a strain gauge disposed on a crank of the e-bike;
- determining a crank speed from a motion sensor and a digital motion processor provided to the crank of the e-bike;
- determining a crank position from the motion sensor and digital motion processor provided to the crank of the e-bike;
- determining a total pedaling force value for the rider;
- passing a throttle data signal though a first slip ring disposed around an axle of the crank of the e-bike;
- and
- communicating the throttle data signal to an e-bike controller through a throttle connector of the e-bike controller.
An e-bike, comprising:
- a crank;
- an electric motor;
- an e-bike controller connected to the electric motor, the e-bike controller including a throttle connector;
- a strain gauge disposed on the crank;
- a control board disposed on the crank and coupled to the strain gauge, the control board including a motion sensor and a digital motion processor;
- and
- a plurality of slip rings disposed about the crank that provide for a rotational power coupling for the control board,
- wherein the control board is coupled to the e-bike controller through the throttle connector via the plurality of slip rings and a conduit extending between the plurality of slip rings and the throttle connector of the e-bike.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.