Electric bicycle

Abstract

An electric bicycle having a control unit, a drive unit, a battery unit, a display unit and a remote control unit for display unit, remote control unit being situated in the region of a handlebar grip remote from display unit. According to the present disclosure, electronic control unit is situated in seat tube of bicycle frame.

Claims

1. An electric bicycle comprising a bicycle frame, an electronic control unit, a drive unit configured for providing a level of motor assistance, a battery unit, a display unit and a remote control unit for the display unit, wherein the remote control unit is situated in a region of a handlebar grip remote from the display unit, wherein the electronic control unit is situated in a seat tube of the bicycle frame, wherein the electronic control unit is situated in a lower region of the seat tube adjacent to the drive unit and attached directly at a frame-side drive carrier of the bicycle frame via a fastening bracket.

2. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit comprises line connectors only at an end section facing the drive unit.

3. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein above the electronic control unit a stop is disposed for the seat post.

4. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein at least one signal line of the remote control unit is connected to the display unit and at least one electric line of the display unit is connected to the electronic control unit.

5. The electric bicycle of claim 1, comprising brake sensor lines directly connected to the display unit.

6. The electric bicycle of claim 5, wherein the brake sensor lines respectively are directly connected to the electronic control unit.

7. The electric bicycle of claim 1, wherein the remote control unit is connected by a single bus cable to the display unit.

8. The electric bicycle of claim 1, configured for communication to be carried out with a CAN bus method or a CAN open method.

9. The electric bicycle of claim 3, wherein the stop is a fastening element of a bottle holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is subsequently explained in greater detail in reference to the appended drawings. For this purpose, in detail:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of the electric bicycle according to the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the electric bicycle from FIG. 1 in the region of the handlebar;

(4) FIG. 3 show a schematic side view of the electric bicycle from FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the drive region; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the electronic control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a side view of an electric bicycle 1 according to the present disclosure, having an exemplary bicycle frame 2 configured as a diamond frame, having a down tube 4, a top tube 6, a seat tube 8, a head tube 10, a drive carrier 12 for a drive unit 14 and seat struts 16 and lower struts 18, and a battery unit 20 situated at down tube 4.

(8) As in particular can be concluded from FIG. 2, which shows a detailed representation of electric bicycle 1 from FIG. 1 in the region of handlebar 22, a display unit 24 situated centrally on handlebar 22 and a remote control unit 26 are provided. Remote control unit 26 is situated in the region of a left handlebar lever 28 remote from display unit 24 and has two assistance selection keys 30, 32 for the selection of the motor assistance level, and an input device designed as a joystick 34 for menu navigation and selection of menu items displayed on display unit 24. Furthermore, remote control unit 26 has a light switch 36.

(9) As shown in FIG. 3, which shows a schematic side view of electric bicycle 1 of FIG. 1, electric bicycle 1 has an electronic control unit 38 (ECU). Electronic control unit 38 is situated in seat tube 8 of bicycle frame 2. In so doing, a highly integrated interaction between bicycle frame 2 and the installation components is achieved. The design of battery unit 20 is not limited and more space for the battery cells and, thus, a high operating distance is available. Owing to the thermal decoupling of battery unit and electronic control unit, a high efficiency is achieved. Special battery housings having fastening options for control unit 38 are not required.

(10) Electronic control unit 38 is installed in the lower section of seat tube 8 on drive carrier 12. As a result, the electrical line length is reduced to a minimum. As a result, electric bicycle 1 has an optimized frame cross-section having constructively and aesthetically best features for optimized space requirements.

(11) In this instance, electronic control unit 38 is attached to frame-side drive carrier 12, as shown in particular in the detailed view of the drive region shown in FIG. 4. Above electronic control unit 38, a bottle holder bush 39 is disposed as a stop for the seat post (not shown). As a result, damage to electronic control unit 38 by a long seat post is prevented.

(12) The attachment of control unit 38 at drive carrier 12 is carried out according to FIG. 5, which shows a detailed representation of electronic control unit 38, via L-shaped fastening bracket 42 attached with the aid of screws 40 to the rectangular housing of control unit 38. The attachment of fastening bracket 42 on drive carrier 12 is also carried out with the aid of a screw 44.

(13) Electronic control unit 38 is provided with line connectors 48 only at an end section 46 facing drive unit 14, so that the construction is simplified and the line lengths are minimal. All lines are guided out at the bottom of the frame.

(14) According to FIG. 3, electrical line 49 of display unit 24 is connected to electronic control unit 38. In this instance, it is advantageous that only one line is required.

(15) Furthermore, sensor lines 50 of kickstand 52 (safety deactivation when the stand is folded down), of the geared motor, etc., are each directly connected to electronic control unit 38. In this instance, the number of lines is reduced.

(16) Sensor lines 56 assigned to brake levers 54 are, according to FIG. 2, connected directly to display unit 24, so that only one line 49 between display unit 24 and control unit 38 is required.

(17) ECU communication is carried out with the aid of CAN open methods. A CAN translator is provided for adaptation requirements. A signal line 60 of remote control unit 26 is connected to display unit 24 (see FIG. 2). Accordingly, it is preferable if the remote control unit is connected to the display unit by a single bus cable including a plurality of signal lines. When operating the break, a break light 62 of a tail lamp 64 is activated.

(18) The present disclosure can be used universally in all types of bicycles, especially in mountain bikes (both in hardtail or full-suspension design), but also can be implemented in other bicycles, for example, road bike frames and, thus, ultimately resulting in a touring, city or cross-bike or other modern types of bicycles. Because of its compact, attractive design, it enables the construction of bikes which largely combine the advantages of a classic bicycle and an electric bicycle.

(19) The embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples shown in the figures and as explained above, but is possible in a plurality of modifications by those skilled in the art.

(20) Disclosed is an electric bicycle 1 having a control unit 38, a drive unit 14, a battery unit 20, a display unit 24 and a remote control unit 26 for display unit 24, remote control unit 26 being situated in the region of a handlebar 28 remote from display unit 24. According to the present disclosure, electronic control unit 38 is situated in seat tube 8 of bicycle frame 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(21) 1 electric bicycle 2 bicycle frame 4 down tube 6 top tube 8 seat tube 10 head tube 12 drive carrier 14 drive unit 16 seat strut 18 lower strut 20 battery unit 22 handlebar 24 display unit 26 remote control unit 28 left handlebar grip 30 assistance selection key 32 assistance selection key 34 joystick 36 light switch 38 electronic control unit 39 bottle holder bush 40 screw 42 fastening bracket 44 screw 46 end section 48 line connector 49 electric line 50 sensor line 52 kickstand 54 brake levers 56 sensor line 58 CAN translator 60 signal lines 62 brake light 64 tail lamp