This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularly to a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automatically and adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosure relates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which use fluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include various hydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in various configurations and may operate in various methods and sequences to provide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.

This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularly to a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automatically and adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosure relates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which use fluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include various hydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in various configurations and may operate in various methods and sequences to provide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

An autonomous electronic bicycle comprises a frame, a wheel that can be powered by a first electronic motor, and a pedal assembly connected to a pedal motor. The pedal assembly is not mechanically connected to the wheel, but the autonomous electronic bicycle simulates a mechanical connection by powering the rear wheel proportional to the user's pedaling force. The autonomous electronic bicycle uses a virtual gear ratio based on the cadence of the rider, the current incline of the bicycle, and the current speed of the bicycle. The virtual gear ratio can be a ratio between a torque of the set of pedals and a torque of the wheel.

A hydraulic assembly comprising: a rotational member; a plurality of hydraulic chambers arrayed about a center axis, each of the plurality of hydraulic chambers exhibiting a first end, a second end, a wall extending from the first end to the second end and an opening along the wall between the first end and the second end; and a plurality of pistons each positioned within a respective one of the plurality of hydraulic chambers, wherein each of the plurality of pistons further comprises a protrusion protruding from a side of the piston, the protrusion of each of the plurality of pistons extending, through the opening of the respective hydraulic chamber and arranged to contact the rotational member such that a force is applied between the rotational member and the respective piston.

A hydraulic assembly comprising: a rotational member; a plurality of hydraulic chambers arrayed about a center axis, each of the plurality of hydraulic chambers exhibiting a first end, a second end, a wall extending from the first end to the second end and an opening along the wall between the first end and the second end; and a plurality of pistons each positioned within a respective one of the plurality of hydraulic chambers, wherein each of the plurality of pistons further comprises a protrusion protruding from a side of the piston, the protrusion of each of the plurality of pistons extending, through the opening of the respective hydraulic chamber and arranged to contact the rotational member such that a force is applied between the rotational member and the respective piston.

An electric vehicle includes a frame, at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel coupled to the frame, one or more pedals coupled to the frame and configured for a user's engagement via pedaling, and a controller configured to output one or more driving signals in response to the pedaling of the one or more pedals. The electric vehicle also includes a first motor coupled to and configured to drive one of the front and rear wheels, and a first driver coupled with the first motor and configured to adjust the output to the first motor in response to the one or more driving signals.

A system for providing a movement assistance to an electric cycle is provided. The system includes circuitry communicatively coupled to an electronically-actuated driving mechanism and a sensor system of the electric cycle. The circuitry receives sensor information associated with the electric cycle through the sensor system and determines an inclination of the electric cycle with respect to an inclination-reference based on the received sensor information. The circuitry further determines occupancy information associated with a seat of the electric cycle based on the received sensor information. Based on the determined inclination and the determined occupancy information, the circuitry controls the electronically-actuated driving mechanism to drive at least one wheel of the electric cycle.

A system for providing a movement assistance to an electric cycle is provided. The system includes circuitry communicatively coupled to an electronically-actuated driving mechanism and a sensor system of the electric cycle. The circuitry receives sensor information associated with the electric cycle through the sensor system and determines an inclination of the electric cycle with respect to an inclination-reference based on the received sensor information. The circuitry further determines occupancy information associated with a seat of the electric cycle based on the received sensor information. Based on the determined inclination and the determined occupancy information, the circuitry controls the electronically-actuated driving mechanism to drive at least one wheel of the electric cycle.