阅读说明：本技术 用于交通工具的传动系统 (Transmission system for vehicle ) 是由 尼尔·爱德华 尼尔·麦克马丁 于 2018-10-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及用于交通工具的传动系统,并且尤其是涉及用于在电动自行车中使用的传动系统,其中通过电动马达得到的功率将人力扩增。本公开包括各种实施方案,其中电动马达是谐波驱动类型的,并且其中设置有为系统提供输出的次级轴或托架,该次级轴或托架既可由人工输入又可由马达输入来驱动,并且其中这两种输入通过将单向离合器放置在柔轮与次级轴或托架之间以及托架与主驱动轴之间而相互隔离。还公开了一种用于这种传动系统的模块组件和一种组装和拆卸的方法。(The present disclosure relates to a transmission system for a vehicle, and in particular to a transmission system for use in an electric bicycle, wherein the power drawn by an electric motor augments the manpower. The present disclosure includes various embodiments in which the electric motor is of the harmonic drive type and in which a secondary shaft or carrier is provided that provides an output to the system, the secondary shaft or carrier being drivable by both manual and motor inputs, and in which the two inputs are isolated from each other by placing a one-way clutch between the flexspline and the secondary shaft or carrier and between the carrier and the main drive shaft. A modular assembly for such a transmission system and a method of assembly and disassembly are also disclosed.)

1. A transmission system comprising at least two rotational inputs and at least one rotational output, one of the rotational inputs being a harmonic drive, the harmonic drive comprising a flexspline surrounding a drive shaft of the other rotational input, the flexspline being rotationally coupled to a first one-way clutch, the first one-way clutch being mounted around and rotationally coupled to a carrier, and a second one-way clutch being mounted within a housing defined within the carrier, and wherein the second one-way clutch is rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

2. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein the flex spline is fixed to an outer race of the first one-way clutch.

3. A transmission system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flexspline defines a location within its interior and the first one-way clutch is located within that location.

4. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexspline defines a location within its interior and the second one-way clutch is located within that location.

5. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexspline defines a location within its interior and the carrier is located substantially within the location.

6. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexspline defines a location within its interior and the electric motor is located substantially within the location.

7. A transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier includes a cylindrical one-way clutch housing and a cylindrical one-way clutch mount.

8. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier includes a cylindrical one-way clutch housing and a cylindrical one-way clutch mount, and wherein the cylindrical one-way clutch mount is radially co-axial with the cylindrical one-way housing.

9. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier includes a cylindrical one-way clutch housing and a cylindrical one-way clutch mount, and wherein the cylindrical one-way clutch mount and the cylindrical one-way housing are closable by a flange.

10. A transmission system according to claim 9, wherein a cylindrical projection extends from the flange opposite the cylindrical mount and the cylindrical housing.

11. A transmission system according to claim 10, wherein the cylindrical projection has a smaller diameter than the cylindrical seat.

12. A transmission system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the cylindrical projection has a smaller diameter than the cylindrical housing.

13. A transmission system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the cylindrical projection includes a gear carrier.

14. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, adapted for use in a hybrid vehicle, wherein the rotational input can be from power selected from the group comprising: internal combustion, electrical, manual, and KERS.

15. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, adapted for use in a hybrid drive vehicle, and in particular an electric bicycle, comprising an electric motor rotational input and a manual rotational input from a pedal crank device.

16. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, which is substantially cylindrical.

17. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, having a maximum length of 170 mm.

18. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, having a length of between 60mm and 170 mm.

19. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, having a length of between 108mm and 127 mm.

20. A transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, having a length of around 125 mm.

21. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmission system has a maximum outer diameter of 108 mm.

22. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmission system has an outer diameter of between 68mm and 108 mm.

23. A transmission system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmission system has an outer diameter of between 80mm and 110 mm.

24. A transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, having an outer diameter of around 90 mm.

25. A transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a crank speed sensor.

26. A transmission system according to claim 25, wherein the crank speed sensor uses a magnetic field to derive rotational speed.

27. A transmission system according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the crank speed sensor uses a magnetic field to derive the direction of rotation.

28. A transmission system according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the crank speed sensor is incorporated into a motor controller to control the rotational input provided by the electric motor.

29. A bicycle comprising at least one transmission system according to any preceding claim.

30. A vehicle comprising at least one transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

31. A transmission system comprising at least two rotational inputs and at least one rotational output, one of the rotational inputs being a harmonic drive comprising a flexspline and an electric motor, wherein the transmission system has a modular construction comprising a first module and a second module, wherein the first module houses the flexspline and the second module houses the electric motor, the two modules being selectively detachable.

32. The transmission system of claim 31 wherein the first module has a first module outer housing.

33. A transmission system according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the second module has a second module outer housing.

34. A transmission system according to claim 31 or claim 33 when dependent on claim 31, wherein the first module outer housing has a cylindrical shape.

35. A transmission system according to claim 33 or claim 34 when dependent on claim 33, wherein the second module outer housing has a cylindrical shape.

36. A transmission system according to claim 33 or 35, wherein the second module outer housing has a boss extending therefrom.

37. The transmission system according to claim 36 wherein the bushing is adapted to receive at least a portion of the first module outer housing.

38. A transmission system according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the sleeve and/or outer housing of the first unidirectional module is provided with a socket and groove feature to enable proper alignment of the two modules.

39. A transmission system according to any one of claims 31 to 38, wherein the first module houses a drive shaft.

40. A transmission system according to any one of claims 31 to 39, wherein the first module includes one or more one-way clutches.

41. A transmission system according to any one of claims 31 to 40, wherein the first module houses a flexspline of a harmonic drive.

42. A transmission system according to any one of claims 31 to 41, wherein the first module houses a rigid wheel, a wave generator and a flexible wheel of a harmonic drive.

43. A transmission system according to any one of claims 31 to 42, wherein the second module houses an electric motor.

44. A transmission system according to claim 41, 42 or claim 43 when dependent on claim 41 or 42, wherein the flexspline is rotationally coupled to a first one-way clutch mounted about and rotationally coupled to a carrier, and a second one-way clutch is mounted within a housing defined within the carrier, and wherein the second one-way clutch is rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

45. The transmission system of claim 44, wherein the flex spline is fixed to an outer race of the first one-way clutch.

46. A transmission system according to claim 41 or 42 and any one of claims 43 to 45 when dependent on claim 41 or 42, wherein the flexspline defines a location within its interior and the first one-way clutch is located within that location.

47. A transmission system according to claim 41 or 42 and any one of claims 43 to 46 when dependent on claim 41 or 42, wherein the flexspline defines a location within its interior and the second one-way clutch is locatable within that location.

48. A transmission system according to claim 41 or 42 and any one of claims 43 to 47 when dependent on claim 41 or 42, wherein the flexspline defines a location within its interior within which the carrier can be located substantially.

49. A transmission system according to any one of claims 41 to 48, further including an end cap to cover and attach to the non-chainring side of the bottom bracket shell.

50. A bicycle comprising at least one transmission system according to any one of claims 41 to 49.

51. A vehicle comprising at least one transmission system according to any one of claims 41 to 49.

52. A transmission system for an electric bicycle, the transmission system comprising a first module and a second module, the modules being selectively detachable, wherein the first module has a first module outer housing, the second module has a second module outer housing, the first module outer housing having a cylindrical shape, the second module outer housing also having a cylindrical shape, the second module outer housing having a bushing extending therefrom, and wherein the bushing is adapted to receive at least a portion of the first module outer housing.

53. A transmission system according to claim 52, wherein one of the modules has one or more pins or bolts extending therefrom to effect mechanical attachment of the two modules.

54. A transmission system according to claim 53, wherein the other of the modules has a corresponding receiving hole for the pin or bolt.

55. A transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 54, wherein the sleeve and/or outer housing of the first unidirectional module is provided with a socket and groove feature to enable the two modules to be properly aligned.

56. A transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 55, wherein the first module houses a drive shaft.

57. A transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 56, wherein the second module includes a drive shaft receiving bore.

58. A transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 57, wherein the first module includes one or more one-way clutches.

59. A transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 58, wherein the first module houses a flexspline of a harmonic drive.

60. A transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 59, wherein the first module houses a rigid wheel, a wave generator and a flexible wheel of a harmonic drive.

61. A transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 60, wherein the second module houses an electric motor.

62. The transmission system according to any one of claims 59 to 61 wherein the flex spline is rotationally coupled to a first one-way clutch mounted about and rotationally coupled to a carrier and a second one-way clutch mounted within a housing defined within the carrier, and wherein the second one-way clutch is rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

63. The transmission system according to claim 62 wherein the flex spline is fixed to an outer race of the first one-way clutch.

64. The transmission system according to claim 62 or 63 wherein the flexspline defines a site within it and the first one-way clutch is located within the site.

65. The transmission system according to any one of claims 62 to 64 wherein the flex spline defines a site within it and the second one-way clutch is located within the site.

66. The transmission system according to any one of claims 62 to 65 wherein the flexspline defines a location within it and the carrier is located substantially within the location.

67. A bicycle comprising at least one transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 66.

68. A bicycle comprising at least one transmission system according to any one of claims 52 to 66.

69. A method of assembling a transmission system according to any one of claims 31 to 66, including the steps of:

attaching the first module to the second module by axially sliding the first module cylindrical housing into engagement with the second module;

a mechanical fastening is formed between the first module and the second module.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the first module is attached such that its housing is at least partially received by a boss extending from the second module.

71. The method of claim 69 or 70, wherein a crank shaft disposed on the first module is received by a crank shaft bore disposed through the second module.

72. The method of any one of claims 69 to 71, wherein the transmission system is then attached to a bicycle having a bottom bracket shell by inserting the transmission system into the bottom bracket shell and providing one or more end caps to retain the transmission unit within the bottom bracket shell.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, in particular an electrically assisted or electrically driven bicycle, a transmission system usable with a vehicle but also applicable to other applications, a control system for said vehicle, and a method for frame construction of a bicycle.

Background

Electric bicycles are a form of hybrid vehicle, namely: electric bicycles use both manual pedal and crank drives and electric motors. The two drive means may operate independently of each other or may operate together to augment each other's motive force. The user may select to selectively engage the electric drive or may automatically activate the electric drive depending on conditions such as measured pedal speed, bicycle speed, etc.

The electric drive may be positioned in several different locations; the electric drive device can drive the hub of the rear wheel and is arranged in the hub; the electric drive device can provide power for the pedal crank; or an electric drive may be arranged at a point between these two extreme positions for driving the chain of the bicycle. An alternative is to drive the front wheels, but this has its own disadvantages.

The power source, typically a rechargeable battery, must be placed on the bicycle, and typically a bulky battery will be placed on or near the rear wheel.

Harmonic drives have been proposed as a method of providing power input to such transmission systems and placing the harmonic drive around the exterior of the main drive shaft.

However, the currently known methods are not satisfactory because the harmonic drive is difficult to mount within the frame of the bicycle in the sense that the harmonic drive tends to increase the Q-factor (i.e., the distance between the outer sides of the pedal cranks at the pedal holes) beyond the point where the rider feels comfortable or stable.

Furthermore, such drive systems may be difficult to repair or repair, as such drive systems may be complicated to disassemble and reassemble, and may exceed the ability of the user to repair or service personnel locally.

Summary of The Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a transmission system comprising at least two rotary inputs and at least one rotary output, one of the rotary inputs being a harmonic drive comprising a flex-spline (flex-spline) surrounding a drive shaft of the other rotary input, the flex-spline being rotationally coupled to a first one-way clutch mounted around and rotationally coupled to a carrier and a second one-way clutch mounted within a housing defined within the carrier, and wherein the second one-way clutch is rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

The flexspline may be fixed to an outer race of the first one-way clutch.

The flex spline may define a location (locus) within an interior thereof, and the first one-way clutch may be located within the location.

A second one-way clutch may be located within the site.

The carrier may be located substantially within the site.

The electric motor may be located substantially within the site.

The carrier may include a cylindrical one-way clutch housing and a cylindrical one-way clutch support (mounting).

The carrier includes a cylindrical one-way clutch housing and a cylindrical one-way clutch carrier, and wherein the cylindrical one-way clutch carrier is radially coaxial (co-radial) with the cylindrical one-way housing.

By "radially coaxial" it is understood to mean that the cylindrical one-way clutch carrier and the cylindrical one-way housing are both coaxial and located progressively outwardly from the central axis about which they are mounted.

The carrier may include a cylindrical one-way clutch housing and a cylindrical one-way clutch mount, and wherein the cylindrical one-way clutch mount and the cylindrical one-way housing may be capped by the flange.

A cylindrical protrusion may extend from the flange opposite the cylindrical support and the housing.

The cylindrical protrusion may have a smaller diameter than the cylindrical seat.

The cylindrical protrusion may have a smaller diameter than the cylindrical housing.

The cylindrical projection may include a gear mount.

The transmission system may be adapted for use in a hybrid vehicle, wherein the rotational input may be from power selected from the group consisting of: internal combustion, electrical, manual, and KERS.

The transmission system may be adapted for use in a hybrid drive vehicle, and in particular an electric bicycle, and may include an electric motor rotational input and a manual rotational input from a pedal crank device.

The transmission system may be substantially cylindrical.

The transmission system may have a maximum length of 170mm, excluding the width of the pedal crank.

The transmission system may have a length between 60mm and 170 mm.

The transmission system may have a length of between 108mm and 127 mm.

The transmission system may have a length of about 125 mm.

The transmission system may have a maximum outer diameter of 108 mm.

The transmission system may have an outer diameter between 68mm and 108 mm.

The transmission system may have an outer diameter of between 80mm and 110 mm.

The transmission system may have an outer diameter of about 90 mm.

The transmission system may be contained entirely within the bottom bracket shell of a suitable standard frame bicycle.

The bottom bracket shell may have a corresponding Q factor between 140mm and 172 mm.

The bottom bracket shell may have an outer diameter between 70mm and 110 mm.

The transmission system may further comprise a crank speed sensor.

The crank speed sensor may use a magnetic field to derive the rotational speed.

The crank speed sensor may use a magnetic field to derive the direction of rotation.

A crank speed sensor may be incorporated into the motor controller to control the rotational input provided by the electric motor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a bicycle is provided, comprising at least one transmission system according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising at least one transmission system according to the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a transmission system comprising at least two rotary inputs and at least one rotary output, one of the rotary inputs being a harmonic drive comprising a flexspline and an electric motor, wherein the transmission system has a modular construction comprising a first module and a second module, wherein the first module houses the flexspline and the second module houses the electric motor, the two modules being selectively detachable.

The first module may have a first module outer housing.

The second module may have a second module outer housing.

The first module outer housing may have a cylindrical shape.

The second module outer housing may have a cylindrical shape.

The second module outer housing may have a boss (boss) extending therefrom.

The bushing may be adapted to receive at least a portion of the first module outer housing.

One of the modules may have one or more pins or bolts extending therefrom to enable mechanical attachment of the two modules.

The other of the modules may have corresponding receiving holes for the pins or bolts.

Nuts or other suitable mechanical fasteners may be used to secure the two modules.

The sleeve and/or the outer housing of the first unidirectional module may be provided with a socket and groove feature to achieve proper alignment of the two modules.

The first module may additionally house a drive shaft.

The first module may include one or more one-way clutches.

The first module may house a flexspline of the harmonic drive.

The first module can accommodate a rigid wheel, a wave generator and a flexible wheel of the harmonic drive device.

The second module may house an electric motor.

The flex spline is rotatably coupled to a first one-way clutch mounted about and rotationally coupled to the carrier, and a second one-way clutch is mounted within a housing defined within the carrier, and wherein the second one-way clutch is rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

The flexspline may be fixed to an outer race of the first one-way clutch.

The flex spline may define a site within an interior thereof, and the first one-way clutch may be located within the site.

A second one-way clutch may be located within the site.

The carrier may be located substantially within the site.

An end cap may be provided to cover and attach to the non-chainring side of the bottom bracket shell.

The modular construction may allow for maintenance of the drive train.

The first module can be simply detached from the drive train by loosening the mechanical fasteners and removing the first module from the bushing/bottom bracket shell, and the opposite method can be used for reattachment.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a bicycle is provided, comprising at least one transmission system according to the fourth aspect.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided, comprising at least one transmission system according to the fourth aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission system for an electric bicycle, the transmission system comprising a first module and a second module, the modules being selectively detachable, wherein the first module has a first module outer housing and the second module has a second module outer housing, the first module outer housing having a cylindrical shape and the second module outer housing also having a cylindrical shape, the second module outer housing having a bushing extending therefrom, and wherein the bushing is adapted to receive at least a portion of the first module outer housing.

One of the modules may have one or more pins or bolts extending therefrom to enable mechanical attachment of the two modules.

The other of the modules may have corresponding receiving holes for the pins or bolts.

Bolts or other suitable mechanical fasteners may be used to secure the two modules.

The sleeve and/or the outer housing of the first unidirectional module may be provided with a socket and groove feature to achieve proper alignment of the two modules.

The first module may additionally house a drive shaft.

The second module may include a drive shaft receiving bore through a center thereof.

The first module may include one or more one-way clutches.

The first module may house a flexspline of the harmonic drive.

The first module can accommodate a harmonic drive rigid gear, a wave generator and a flexible gear.

The second module may house an electric motor.

The flex spline is rotatably coupled to a first one-way clutch mounted about and rotationally coupled to the carrier, and a second one-way clutch is mounted within a housing defined within the carrier, and wherein the second one-way clutch is rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

The flexspline may be fixed to an outer race of the first one-way clutch.

The flex spline may define a location within an interior thereof, and the first one-way clutch may be located within the location.

A second one-way clutch may be located within the site.

The carrier may be located substantially within the site.

The modular construction may allow for maintenance of the drive train.

The first module can be simply detached from the drive train by loosening the mechanical fasteners and removing the first module from the bushing/bottom bracket shell, and the opposite method can be used for reattachment.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle comprising at least one transmission system according to the seventh aspect.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising at least one transmission system according to the seventh aspect.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a transmission system according to any one of the fourth or seventh aspects, comprising the steps of:

attaching the first module to the second module by axially sliding the first module cylindrical housing into engagement with the second module;

a mechanical fastening is formed between the first module and the second module.

The first module may be attached such that its housing is at least partially received by a boss extending from the second module.

A crank shaft disposed on the first module may be received by a crank shaft aperture disposed through the second module.

The transmission system may then be attached to a bicycle having a bottom bracket shell by inserting the transmission system into the bottom bracket shell and providing one or more end caps to retain the transmission unit within the bottom bracket shell.

It will be appreciated that reversing these steps may provide a further method of disassembly.