Friction drive system for bicycle
AssigneeAlizeti Ubimobil Inc.
InventorsLuigi VIGLIONE, Paolo PRIMIANI, Julien LONGCHAMP
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A friction drive system for a bicycle, which enables a bicycle to be converted into an electrically assisted bicycle, includes a driving system including a friction roller in driven engagement with a motor of the driving system. The friction roller defines a wheel engaging surface configured for engaging a wheel of the bicycle via friction between the wheel engaging surface and the wheel. A controller is operatively connected to a traction control system, for controlling a torque exerted by the friction roller on the wheel, and/or to an adjustable pressure system, for moving the wheel engaging surface and varying a contact force exerted between the friction roller and the wheel of the bicycle.
Claims20
A friction drive system for a bicycle, comprising:
- a housing configured to be secured to a frame of the bicycle;
- a friction roller rotatably mounted to the housing via an actuator, the friction roller defining a wheel engaging surface configured for engaging a wheel of the bicycle and for driving the wheel via friction between the wheel engaging surface and the wheel, the wheel engaging surface movable relative to an axis of rotation of the wheel between a plurality of positions;
- a motor secured to the housing and in driving engagement with the friction roller, the motor operatively connected to a power source;
- and
- a control system including:
- a traction control system operatively connected to both of the motor and the power source, the traction control system having a current modulator operable to vary a magnitude of a current distributed from the power source to the motor for varying a torque exerted by the friction roller;
- and/or
- a pressure control system operatively connected to the actuator and controlling the actuator for varying the distance between the wheel engaging surface and the axis of rotation of the wheel for varying a contact force between the friction roller and the wheel.
An exerciser comprising:
- a support device securable to a bicycle and configured to distance a rear wheel of the bicycle from a ground when the bicycle is secured to the support device;
- a friction drive system securable to the bicycle at a location spaced apart from the support device, for opposing rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle, the friction drive system including a friction roller and a motor in driving engagement with the friction roller, the friction roller defining a wheel engaging surface configured for engaging the rear wheel of the bicycle and for being driven by the rear wheel via friction between the wheel engaging surface and the rear wheel, the motor operatively connected to a load for dissipating electrical energy generated from mechanical energy provided by a user and transmitted from the rear wheel to the friction roller.
A friction drive system for a bicycle, the friction drive system comprising:
- a housing configured to be secured to a frame of the bicycle;
- and a driving system secured to the housing, the driving system including a friction roller rotatably mounted thereto, and a motor in driving engagement with the friction roller, the friction roller defining a wheel engaging surface configured for engaging a wheel of the bicycle and for driving the wheel via friction between the wheel engaging surface and the wheel, the driving system further including a traction control system adjusting a torque of the friction roller and/or an adjustable pressure system moving the friction roller relative to the housing and the wheel for varying a contact force between the friction roller and the wheel, the driving system further including a driving controller operatively connected to the traction control system and/or to the adjustable pressure system for controlling the torque exerted by the friction roller and/or the contact force between the friction roller and the wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.