An electric tricycle with a tricycle frame, at least two pedals, and an electric motor. The tricycle frame has a steering assembly with handlebars and a front wheel and a rear wheel assembly with two rear wheels mounted on a rear axle. The pedals are rotatably coupled to the rear wheel assembly. The pedals have an engaged configuration where the pedals are engaged with the rear axle and a disengaged configuration where the pedals are disengaged from the rear axles. The electric motor is mounted on the rear wheel assembly and is electrically coupled to a battery. The electric motor is configured to engage with the rear axle when the pedals are in the disengaged configuration. The electric motor may have a forward clutch to rotate the rear axle in a first direction and a reverse clutch to rotate the rear axle in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Electric bicycles having partially integrated batteries, as well as down tubes that accommodate such batteries, controllers, and other components, are described. Further, controller mount components and wiring harnesses are also described. Thus, in some embodiments, an electric bicycle includes various devices or components that facilitate easy and efficient mounting of electrical components (e.g., batteries, controllers, cables and/or wires, and so on) to or within frame components of the electric bicycle.

Electric bicycles having partially integrated batteries, as well as down tubes that accommodate such batteries, controllers, and other components, are described. Further, controller mount components and wiring harnesses are also described. Thus, in some embodiments, an electric bicycle includes various devices or components that facilitate easy and efficient mounting of electrical components (e.g., batteries, controllers, cables and/or wires, and so on) to or within frame components of the electric bicycle.

A centrally-mounted drive mechanism used for a power-assisted bicycle, and a power-assisted bicycle. The centrally-mounted drive mechanism comprises an outer casing (1), an electric motor (2), a planetary gear mechanism in a transmission connection with an output shaft of the electric motor (2), a bevel gear driving end (9), and a bevel gear driven end (10) that meshes with the bevel gear driving end (9), said bevel gear driven end (10) being connected to a crankset (13). The planetary gear mechanism comprises a planetary gear (4) and a planetary gear output bracket (5), and a bevel gear support base (8) that is sleeved on the outer part of the planetary gear output bracket (5). A clutch (6) is disposed between the planetary gear output bracket (5) and the bevel gear support base (8), and a transmission connection is formed by means of the clutch (6) between the planetary gear output bracket (5) and the bevel gear support base (8). The bevel gear driving end (9) and the bevel gear support base (8) are coaxially and fixedly connected, and a support assembly (7) is mounted on the outer part of the bevel gear support base (8), said support assembly (7) being used to support the planetary gear output bracket (5) and the bevel gear driving end (9). The axial length of the centrally mounted drive mechanism is relatively short, and thus the overall structure and volume are more compact, thus making it convenient to install a battery with a greater capacity on the power-assisted bicycle, and increasing endurance capacity.

A centrally-mounted drive mechanism used for a power-assisted bicycle, and a power-assisted bicycle. The centrally-mounted drive mechanism comprises an outer casing (1), an electric motor (2), a planetary gear mechanism in a transmission connection with an output shaft of the electric motor (2), a bevel gear driving end (9), and a bevel gear driven end (10) that meshes with the bevel gear driving end (9), said bevel gear driven end (10) being connected to a crankset (13). The planetary gear mechanism comprises a planetary gear (4) and a planetary gear output bracket (5), and a bevel gear support base (8) that is sleeved on the outer part of the planetary gear output bracket (5). A clutch (6) is disposed between the planetary gear output bracket (5) and the bevel gear support base (8), and a transmission connection is formed by means of the clutch (6) between the planetary gear output bracket (5) and the bevel gear support base (8). The bevel gear driving end (9) and the bevel gear support base (8) are coaxially and fixedly connected, and a support assembly (7) is mounted on the outer part of the bevel gear support base (8), said support assembly (7) being used to support the planetary gear output bracket (5) and the bevel gear driving end (9). The axial length of the centrally mounted drive mechanism is relatively short, and thus the overall structure and volume are more compact, thus making it convenient to install a battery with a greater capacity on the power-assisted bicycle, and increasing endurance capacity.

A tiltable vehicle is configured to transform between an autonomous mode and a rideable mode by pivoting the handlebars and steering column of the vehicle about a pitch axis. In the autonomous mode, the steering column is folded back toward the chassis and a tiltable chassis of the vehicle is prevented from tilting. In the rideable mode, the steering column is unfolded and the chassis is free to tilt. In some examples, a tiltable vehicle includes features beneficial for vehicle-sharing, such as parking devices or a basket. These features may be included on any suitable vehicle and are not limited to use on transforming vehicles.

Among others, the present invention provides electric bicycles each including a body frame; a front wheel and a rear wheel; an electric motor configured to provide a mechanical power to at least one of the front and rear wheels; and a battery box configured to removably receive and hold one or more lithium battery packs. The one or more lithium battery packs are configured to power the electric bicycle, and at least one lithium battery pack is capable of being used as a power supply of a separate lithium electric tool.

A bicycle motorization device is attached to a bicycle. The motorization device includes: a calculation unit configured to calculate speed of the bicycle; an estimation unit configured to estimate pedal force applied to pedals of the bicycle; an electric motor; a battery which supplies electric power to the electric motor; and a control unit configured to apply auxiliary driving force to a wheel of the bicycle by driving the electric motor based on the speed calculated and the pedal force estimated.

A bicycle motorization device is attached to a bicycle. The motorization device includes: a calculation unit configured to calculate speed of the bicycle; an estimation unit configured to estimate pedal force applied to pedals of the bicycle; an electric motor; a battery which supplies electric power to the electric motor; and a control unit configured to apply auxiliary driving force to a wheel of the bicycle by driving the electric motor based on the speed calculated and the pedal force estimated.

A control device sets a second electricity control switch in an intermediate state in a process of switching a discharge battery for supplying a drive unit with an electrical current from a first battery to a second battery. Subsequently, when a comparative relationship between an electric potential of a smoothing capacitor and an electric potential of the second battery fulfills an intermediate state termination condition, the control device sets the second electricity control switch in a bidirectional conduction state. The intermediate state is when an electrical current flowing from the second battery to the drive unit is allowed, and an electrical current flowing from the drive unit to the second battery is inhibited. The bidirectional conduction state is when both of the electrical current flowing from the second battery to the drive unit and the electrical current flowing from the drive unit to the second battery are allowed.