Patent ID: 9550489
Date: 2017-01-24
CPC Classifications: B60L,B60T,B60W,B60Y,B62M,Y02T

Claim:
1. A method for controlling energy recovery in a pedal-operated vehicle having a crank drive configured to be selectively rotated in forward direction and backward direction, an electric auxiliary drive connected to the crank drive, and a rechargeable energy source connected to the auxiliary drive, the method comprising: detecting, by a sensor, a direction of rotation of the crank drive; and recovering energy from the auxiliary drive and storing the recovered energy in the energy source when the direction of rotation of the crank drive is detected by the sensor as being directed backward, wherein the energy recovery takes place only when a predetermined angle of rotation has been traveled in the backward direction of rotation at the crank drive, the predetermined angle of rotation being caused via a back pedal stroke.