Micromobility device brake systems and methods

A brake system of a micromobility device, comprising:

• a drive unit coupled with a frame of the micromobility device, the drive unit including:
• a generator configured to generate electrical power to charge a battery based on a mechanical input applied by a user to a component of the micromobility device;
• and
• a traction motor coupled with a wheel of the micromobility device, the traction motor configured to:
• convert electrical power to mechanical power to drive the wheel, thereby propelling the micromobility device, and
• exert, based on a brake input, resistive torque on the wheel, thereby converting mechanical power from the wheel to electrical power and causing the micromobility device to slow,
• at least one resistor configured to receive electrical power from the traction motor and to convert the electrical power to heat, and
• a control device configured to:
• direct the electrical power generated by the traction motor to the battery based on the battery having a state of charge less than a threshold, and
• direct the electrical power generated by the traction motor to the at least one resistor based on the battery having a state of charge greater than or equal to a threshold.

A method, comprising:

• providing a frame of a micromobility device;
• rotatably coupling a first wheel and a second wheel with the frame;
• coupling a drive unit with the frame, the drive unit including a battery, a pedal assembly configured to receive mechanical input from a user, a generator, and a traction motor;
• coupling the generator with the pedal assembly, the generator configured to generate electrical power to charge the battery based on the mechanical input applied by the user to the pedal assembly;
• coupling the traction motor with the second wheel, the traction motor configured to:
• convert electrical power to mechanical power to drive the second wheel, thereby propelling the micromobility device, and
• exert, based on a brake input, resistive torque on the second wheel, thereby converting mechanical power from the second wheel to electrical power and causing the micromobility device to slow without use of friction brakes,
• providing at least one resistor configured to receive electrical power from the traction motor and to convert the electrical power to heat;
• directing, by a control device, the electrical power generated by the traction motor to the battery based on the battery having a state of charge less than a threshold;
• and
• directing, by a control device, the electrical power generated by the traction motor to the at least one resistor based on the battery having a state of charge greater than or equal to a threshold.