초록 ▼

This disclosure describes an improved electrical power apparatus for assisting a rider in powering a wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle. The apparatus controllably connects a rechargeable battery to a dc motor engageable with a wheel of the vehicle in a predetermined fashion, such that the wheel is d

This disclosure describes an improved electrical power apparatus for assisting a rider in powering a wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle. The apparatus controllably connects a rechargeable battery to a dc motor engageable with a wheel of the vehicle in a predetermined fashion, such that the wheel is driven with a torque that varies with the vehicle's speed according to a predetermined non-uniform profile. This control advantageously can be achieved by modulating on and off a switch at a duty cycle between 0% and 100%, which is selected to provide a motor torque that decreases monotonically with the vehicle's speed, from a maximum value at zero speed to a predetermined intermediate value at a predetermined intermediate speed, and that remains at that predetermined intermediate value for speeds between the intermediate speed and a predetermined maximum speed. The apparatus further includes a charger for charging the battery using a flyback-type dc-to-dc converter.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An electrical power apparatus for assisting a rider in powering a wheeled vehicle, comprising:a dc motor engageable with a wheel of the vehicle;a rechargeable battery;an electrical switch that selectively connects the battery to the dc motor; anda controller that controllably opens

[ We claim:] [1.] An electrical power apparatus for assisting a rider in powering a wheeled vehicle, comprising:a dc motor engageable with a wheel of the vehicle;a rechargeable battery;an electrical switch that selectively connects the battery to the dc motor; anda controller that controllably opens and closes the electrical switch in a predetermined fashion, such that the dc motor drives the vehicle wheel with a torque that varies with a measurement of the vehicle's speed according to a predetermined non-uniform profile that does not vary with any force applied to the vehicle by the rider.