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 bearings, fixed rings, bushings or springs contacting 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 control board disposed on the crank, the control board including a motion sensor, a digital motion processor and a micro controller;
- a plurality of slip rings disposed about the crank;
- and
- a plurality of metal springs disposed about the crank,
- wherein each of the metal springs is in physical contact with a respective one of the slip rings, and
- wherein a power connection to the control board passes through the physical contact between at least one of the metal springs and the respective one of the slip rings.
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 control board disposed on the crank, the control board including a motion sensor, a digital motion processor and a micro controller;
- a plurality of slip rings disposed about the crank;
- and
- a plurality of curved metal springs disposed about the crank,
- a bearing disposed at an end of each of the plurality of curved metal springs,
- wherein each of the bearings is in physical contact with a respective one of the slip rings, and
- wherein a power connection to the control board passes through the physical contact between at least one of the bearings and the respective one of the slip rings.
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 control board disposed on the crank, the control board including a motion sensor, a digital motion processor and a micro controller;
- a plurality of slip rings disposed about the crank;
- a plurality of curved metal springs disposed about the crank;
- and
- a slide ring disposed at an end of each of the plurality of curved metal springs,
- wherein each of the slide rings is in physical contact with a respective one of the slip rings, and
- wherein a power connection to the control board passes through the physical contact between at least one of the slip rings and the respective one of the slip rings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.