Unitary power module for electric bicycles, bicycle combinations and vehicles

An electric vehicle comprising

• a frame having at least one wheel with an axle and hub affixed to a portion of the frame, the frame adapted to receive a battery, a connector suitable to connect the battery and the motor, and a controller suitable to control the speed of an electric motor;
• a unitary power module comprising:
• a unitary member comprising a target sprocket and a mounting frame, said target sprocket comprising a disk shaped assembly having an center opening to allow said unitary member to be placed about the axle, said target sprocket having a target coupler engaging the wheel of said vehicle to enable said target sprocket to be substantially concentrically attached to said rear wheel by outside engagement with said wheel hub;
• and
• said mounting frame rotatably attached to said target sprocket by a bearing for aligned independent rotation between said mounting frame and said target sprocket, said mounting frame having an element to receive an electric motor, said electric motor having a pinion sprocket disposed to engage said target sprocket to rotate said wheel upon application by a rider of the controller, said mounting frame securable to said frame, said mounting frame providing a single point of reference for aligning said pinion sprocket with said target sprocket.

An electric vehicle comprising

• a frame having propulsion controls positioned thereon;
• a steerable front wheel having an axle affixed to a front portion of said frame;
• a rear wheel having an axle affixed to a rear portion of said frame;
• a unitary power module comprising:
• an electric motor having a pinion sprocket affixed thereon, said electric motor suitable to be connected to a battery by a battery cable and to a controller to regulate motor speed via said propulsion controls;
• a unitary member comprising a target sprocket and a mounting frame, said target sprocket comprising a disk shaped assembly having an center opening to allow said target sprocket to be placed about one of said axles, said target sprocket having a target coupler engaging a wheel of said vehicle to enable said target sprocket to be substantially concentrically attached to said wheel by outside engagement with the wheel hub;
• and
• said mounting frame rotatably attached to said target sprocket by a bearing for aligned independent rotation between said mounting frame and target sprocket, said mounting frame having an element to receive said electric motor to enable said pinion sprocket to engage said target sprocket to rotate said wheel upon application by the rider of propulsion controls, said mounting frame secured to a fixed portion of said vehicle, said mounting frame providing a single point of reference for aligning said pinion sprocket with said target sprocket.

A unitary power module for mounting a propulsion system on a vehicle having at least two wheels comprising:

• a target sprocket defining a disk shaped member having a center opening to allow said sprocket to be placed about a wheel axle of said vehicle, said target sprocket having a target coupler engagable to mate a wheel of said vehicle to enable said sprocket to be substantially concentrically attached to said wheel by engagement with said wheel by securing elements, and
• a mounting frame rotatably attached to said target sprocket to allow for independent rotation of said target sprocket about said wheel axle prior to mating of said target sprocket to said wheel, said mounting frame having an element to receive an electric motor to enable a pinion sprocket affixed on said motor to engage a second sprocket mounted on a second shaft positioned on said mounting frame, said second shaft having a third sprocket mounted thereon, said second sprocket substantially aligned with and engaging said pinion sprocket and said third sprocket substantially aligned with and engaging said target sprocket to propel said target sprocket upon rotation of said pinion sprocket and rotate said vehicle wheel, said mounting frame secured to a fixed portion of said vehicle and providing a single point of reference for aligning said pinion sprocket with said second sprocket and said third sprocket with said target sprocket.

A propulsion system kit for converting a standard bicycle having a frame and rear hub wheel having an axle to an electric bicycle comprising:

• an electric motor having a pinion sprocket gear affixed thereon, said electric motor suitable to be connected to said battery by a battery cable;
• a unitary power module for mounting a propulsion system on a bicycle comprising:
• a target sprocket defining a disk shaped member having a center opening to allow said sprocket to be placed about a wheel axle of said bicycle, said target sprocket having a target coupler mating a wheel hub of a wheel of said bicycle to enable said sprocket to be substantially concentrically attached to said wheel hub by engagement with securing elements;
• and
• a mounting frame rotatably attached to said target sprocket to allow for aligned independent rotation of said target sprocket about said wheel axle prior to mating of said target sprocket to said wheel, said mounting frame having an element to receive an electric motor to enable a pinion sprocket affixed on said motor to engage a second sprocket positioned thereon by a second shaft, said second sprocket shaft having a third sprocket suitable for engagement with said target sprocket to propel said target sprocket and rotate said bicycle wheel upon rotation of said pinion sprocket via said electric motor, said mounting frame providing a single point of reference for aligning said pinion sprocket with said second sprocket and said target sprocket and said third sprocket.

An electric vehicle having at least two wheels comprising

• a frame having propulsion controls positioned and thereon;
• a steerable front wheel having an axle affixed to a front portion of said frame;
• a rear wheel having an axle affixed to a rear portion of said frame;
• a propulsion system comprising:
• an electric motor having a pinion sprocket affixed thereon, said electric motor suitable to be connected to a battery by a battery cable;
• a unitary power module for mounting a propulsion system on said vehicle comprising:
• a target sprocket defining a disk shaped member having a center opening to allow said sprocket to be placed about a wheel hub of said wheel, said target sprocket having a target coupler mating a wheel hub of a wheel of said vehicle to enable said sprocket to be substantially concentrically attached to said wheel by engagement with said wheel hub by securing elements;
• and
• a mounting frame rotatably attached to said target sprocket to allow for aligned independent rotation of said target sprocket about said wheel hub prior to mating of said target sprocket to said wheel, said mounting frame having an element to receive an electric motor to enable a pinion sprocket affixed on said motor to engage a second sprocket positioned on a second shaft thereon, said second sprocket shaft having a third sprocket positioned for engagement with said target sprocket to propel said target sprocket and rotate said vehicle wheel upon rotation of said pinion sprocket via said electric motor, said mounting frame providing a single point of reference for aligning said pinion sprocket with said second sprocket and said target sprocket and said third sprocket.

An electric powered vehicle comprising:

• a frame having at least one wheel with an axle and hub affixed to a portion of the frame, the frame adapted to receive a battery, a connector suitable to connect the battery and the motor, and a controller suitable to control the speed of an electric motor;
• a power module comprising:
• a target sprocket and a mounting frame, said target sprocket comp g a disk shaped assembly having an center opening to allow said target sprocket to be placed about the axle, said target sprocket having a target coupler engaging the wheel of said vehicle to enable said target sprocket to be substantially concentrically attached to said rear wheel by outside engagement with said wheel, said target coupler affixed to said wheel by an engagement member, and
• said mounting frame having an element to receive an electric motor, said electric motor having a pinion sprocket engaging said target sprocket to rotate said wheel upon application by a rider said electric vehicle of the controller, said pinion sprocket aligned with said target sprocket.

An electric vehicle having at least two wheels comprising

• a frame having propulsion controls positioned thereon;
• a steerable front wheel having an axle and hub affixed to a front portion of said frame;
• a rear wheel having an axle and hub affixed to a rear portion of said frame;
• a power module comprising:
• an electric motor having a pinion sprocket affixed thereon, said electric motor connected to a battery by a battery cable and to a controller to regulate motor speed via said propulsion controls;
• a target sprocket comprising a disk shaped assembly having a center opening to allow said target sprocket to be placed about one of said axes of one of said wheels, said target sprocket hating a target couplet engaging by outside engagement an engagement member said wheel of said vehicle to enable said target sprocket to be substantially concentrically attached to said wheel;
• and
• a mounting frame having an element to receive said electric motor to enable said pinion sprocket to engage said target sprocket to rotate said wheel upon application by a rider of said electric vehicle propulsion controls, said mounting frame secured to a fixed portion of said vehicle, said mounting frame providing a point of reference for aligning said pinion sprocket with said target sprocket.