A multi-stage planetary transmission for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a transmission input shaft (1), a transmission output shaft (2), and at least three planetary gear sets (VRS, VR1, VR2, RS1, RS2, NRS, NR1, NR2). A first planetary gear set (RS1) and a second planetary gear set (RS2) are configured as a main gear set and at least one further planetary gear set (VRS, VR1, VR2, NRS, NR1, NR2) is configured as a front-mounted gear set and/or as a rear-mounted gear set. At least three free-wheel clutches (F1, F2, F3, F4) and at least three brakes (B1, B2, B3, B4) are provided for implementing at least eight gears (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12, G13, G14, G15, G16). Moreover, the multi-stage transmission may be a bottom bracket transmission. In addition, a bicycle or pedelec with the multi-stage transmission is proposed.

A rotational control assembly controls at least one locking element used to lock a race with respect to a housing. The rotational control assembly includes a speed sensor disposed adjacent the race. The speed sensor senses a rotational speed of the race and generating a rotational speed signal. A controller is electrically connected to the speed sensor for receiving the rotational speed signal. The controller includes a comparator to compare the rotational speed signal to a threshold speed level. A lockout switch is electrically connected to the controller. The lockout switch prevents activation of the at least one locking element when the rotational speed signal exceeds the threshold speed level. This assembly prevents attempts to synchronize or lock races when the speeds are too high. This assembly can also be used to facilitate park and hill-hold functions.

A bicycle gear hub includes an axle, planetary gear modules, one-way clutches and a shift mechanism. The planetary gear modules are connected in series at the axle. The shift mechanism includes a shift actuator and control pawls movably disposed at different positions of the axle. The shift actuator includes recess portions to control opening and closing of a control protrusion of one control pawl, and further to control a sun gear of the corresponding planetary gear module to the axle. When a high gear is shifted to a low gear, a rotational direction of the shift actuator is identical to a rotational direction for closing the control pawl.

A transmission case houses a plurality of coupling elements and a plurality of gears therein. Each of the plurality of coupling elements may be controllable by at least one of a plurality of actuators and at least one of a plurality of struts. Actuator pads and strut pockets are formed into opposing sides of at least one side wall of the transmission case. The side wall is strong enough to receive the forces created by the strut engaging the coupling elements, while eliminating the need for an extra coupling member that otherwise extends between the transmission housing side wall and the notch plate.

A rotational control assembly controls at least one locking element used to lock a race with respect to a housing. The rotational control assembly includes a speed sensor disposed adjacent the race. The speed sensor senses a rotational speed of the race and generating a rotational speed signal. A controller is electrically connected to the speed sensor for receiving the rotational speed signal. The controller includes a comparator to compare the rotational speed signal to a threshold speed level. A lockout switch is electrically connected to the controller. The lockout switch prevents activation of the at least one locking element when the rotational speed signal exceeds the threshold speed level. This assembly prevents attempts to synchronize or lock races when the speeds are too high. This assembly can also be used to facilitate park and hill-hold functions.

A multi-stage planetary transmission for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a transmission input shaft (1), a transmission output shaft (2), and at least three planetary gear sets (VRS, VR1, VR2, RS1, RS2, NRS, NR1, NR2). A first planetary gear set (RS1) and a second planetary gear set (RS2) are configured as a main gear set and at least one further planetary gear set (VRS, VR1, VR2, NRS, NR1, NR2) is configured as a front-mounted gear set and/or as a rear-mounted gear set. At least three free-wheel clutches (F1, F2, F3, F4) and at least three brakes (B1, B2, B3, B4) are provided for implementing at least eight gears (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12, G13, G14, G15, G16). Moreover, the multi-stage transmission may be a bottom bracket transmission. In addition, a bicycle or pedelec with the multi-stage transmission is proposed.

A powertrain assembly for a vehicle includes a first motor and a second motor. A power split assembly, having an output power shaft, is connected to both the first and second motors to the power output shaft. The power split assembly selectively receives power output from the first and second motors, wherein the power split assembly defines a plurality of modes of operation to provide torque to the output power shaft. The powertrain assembly also includes a bypass power shaft operatively connected between the second motor and the output power shaft, such that the second motor provides torque to the output power shaft using the bypass power shaft to reduce torque interruptions created by the power split assembly during changes in the plurality of modes of operation.

A bicycle transmission hub includes: a hub shaft to input a rotation force is input, the hub shaft having first pawls arranged on the outer peripheral surface thereof; a transmission controller for controlling the first pawls to appear and disappear; driving gears, each having a ratchet formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof to receive a rotation force by the first pawls, the driving gears having a different number of teeth, the hub shaft extending through the center of each driving gear; driven gears engaged with the driving gears, respectively, having a different number of teeth, and rotating; an output wheel rotating while being coupled to a driving gear adjacent thereto among the driving gears and having a second pawl disposed on the outer peripheral surface thereof; and a hub shell having a ratchet formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof to receive a rotation force by the second pawl.

A self-ventilated bi-directional traction drive unit (10) comprises a bi-directional motor (12), an asymmetric fan (14) for ventilating the motor (12), and a mechanical transmission (14) between a motor shaft (24) of the motor (12) and an asymmetric fan rotor (38) of the fan (14). The mechanical transmission (14) is operative to drive the fan rotor (38) in a preferred fan direction (102) with a first constant gear ratio Ri when the motor shaft (24) rotates in a first traction direction and to drive the fan rotor (38) in the preferred fan direction with a second constant gear ratio R2 when the motor shaft (24) rotates in a second traction direction opposite to the first traction direction. The mechanical transmission (14) includes a planetary gear train (28) comprising a sun gear (30), a sun gear (32) and a set of one or more planet gears (34) supported on at least one planet carrier (36) and further includes free wheels (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52), A first (46) of the free wheels operates between the planet carrier (36) and the fan rotor (38) to block the rotation of the fan rotor (38) with respect to the planet carrier (36) in a direction opposite to the preferred fan direction and a second (50) of the free wheels operates between the ring gear (32) and the fan rotor (38) to block the rotation of the fan rotor (38) with respect to the ring gear (32) in the preferred fan direction and in that the mechanical transmission (14) is such that (I).

A bicycle gear hub includes an axle, planetary gear modules, one-way clutches and a shift mechanism. The planetary gear modules are connected in series at the axle. The shift mechanism includes a shift actuator and control pawls movably disposed at different positions of the axle. The shift actuator includes recess portions to control opening and closing of a control protrusion of one control pawl, and further to control a sun gear of the corresponding planetary gear module to the axle. When a high gear is shifted to a low gear, a rotational direction of the shift actuator is identical to a rotational direction for closing the control pawl.