In one aspect, a controller for driving a motor of the present invention includes a driving control unit that controls driving of a motor, and a regenerative control unit that instructs the driving control unit to start regeneration when a signal from a pedal rotation sensor that detects a rotation direction of a pedal indicates that the rotation direction of the pedal is backwards, the regenerative control unit controlling an amount of the regeneration in accordance with a rotation amount of the pedal while the rotation direction of the pedal is backwards, the rotation amount being obtained by the pedal rotation sensor.

The present invention relates generally to motorizing a bicycle, and more particularly to an assembly for a quick-release mid-mount motor assembly system. The present invention comprises a bicycle motor assembly system comprising: a bottom bracket; an upper bracket; an engine disposed on upper bracket; and a freewheel system. The present invention also comprises a method of installing a bicycle motor assembly system comprising: providing a bottom bracket; providing an upper bracket; providing an engine disposed on upper bracket; providing a freewheel system; and securably disposing upper bracket in bottom bracket. The bicycle motor assembly system provides an easily installed motor that allows for the bicycle to either be pedaled or motored.

Impart momentum to the rotation of the wheel to reduce the effort required for pedaling in addition to reducing the weight and cost of bicycles. A rotation assistance mechanism equipped with: a variable magnetic unit 210 having a pair of magnetic members 215, 213 for which the opposite poles of the members are arranged facing one another; a magnetic drive unit 220 that changes the distance between the pair of magnetic members 215 and 213 with a predetermined period by means of the rotation of a rear wheel 13; a shield unit 230 having a pair of magnetic surfaces 234 the poles of which are the same as the pair of magnetic members 215 and 213; a shield drive unit 240 that advances the shield unit 230 to between the pair of magnetic members 215 and 213 in predetermined cycles when the distance between the pair of magnetic members 215 and 213 is contracted, and retracts the shield unit 230 from between the pair of magnetic members 215 and 213 in predetermined cycles when the distance between the pair of magnetic members 215 and 213 is expanded.

A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. A rider handle, in the first mode, may be configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork. At least one rotation restrictor may be included for preventing the front wheel from turning to a position where the front wheel axis leads the fork axis, and for maintaining the front wheel axis in a position trailing the fork axis both when the tricycle is propelled by a tricycle rider in the first mode and when the tricycle is pushed from behind in the second mode.

A system for assisting propulsion of a vehicle by utilizing stored spring strain energy is disclosed. The propulsion assistance system includes a disc assembly, a caliper and friction brake assembly, a centrifugal clutch assembly, a torsion spring pan assembly, a rear bearing, a shaft, and a front bearing. The caliper and friction brake assembly holds the disc assembly until released, and slowly transfers energy from the torsion spring to the centrifugal clutch assembly, via the shaft. The disc assembly holds the shaft until released by actuating the caliper and friction brake assembly. Release of the friction brake in the caliper and friction brake assembly allows the disc and shaft to turn at variable speeds. Stored strain energy is passed through the shaft to the centrifugal clutch, which engages to assist the drivetrain and convert the strain energy to kinetic energy.

A system for assisting propulsion of a vehicle by utilizing stored spring strain energy is disclosed. The propulsion assistance system includes a disc assembly, a caliper and friction brake assembly, a centrifugal clutch assembly, a torsion spring pan assembly, a rear bearing, a shaft, and a front bearing. The caliper and friction brake assembly holds the disc assembly until released, and slowly transfers energy from the torsion spring to the centrifugal clutch assembly, via the shaft. The disc assembly holds the shaft until released by actuating the caliper and friction brake assembly. Release of the friction brake in the caliper and friction brake assembly allows the disc and shaft to turn at variable speeds. Stored strain energy is passed through the shaft to the centrifugal clutch, which engages to assist the drivetrain and convert the strain energy to kinetic energy.

A bicycle control device comprises a seat information generator and an assist controller. The seat information generator is configured to generate seat information. The assist controller is configured to control an assist actuator to assist a driving force of a bicycle based on the seat information.

A bicycle control device comprises a seat information generator and an assist controller. The seat information generator is configured to generate seat information. The assist controller is configured to control an assist actuator to assist a driving force of a bicycle based on the seat information.

A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.

A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.