Patent ID: 7284631
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: B62M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A drive unit for providing pedalling assistance to a vehicle with pedals including a first pedal and a second pedal keyed to a central shaft for rotating therewith around a rotation axis, and at least one flywheel being rotatable around said rotation axis, said drive unit comprising: sensor means for detecting a speed of rotation of said central shaft and of said pedals, and for generating a corresponding signal indicative of the speed of rotation thereof; an electric motor having an electric motor shaft rotatably attached thereto; a bevel pinion attached to said electric motor shaft; a bevel wheel engaged with said bevel pinion; feed means for actuating said electric motor to rotate said electric motor shaft and said bevel pinion attached thereto to rotate said bevel wheel engaged with said bevel pinion; a control unit connected to said sensor means and to said electric motor, to control a rotation of said electric motor in proportion to said corresponding signal generated by said sensor means; a first free wheel, disposed coaxial with said at least one flywheel, for connecting with said at least one flywheel, to functionally connect the at least one said flywheel to said bevel wheel, such that rotation of said bevel wheel rotates said at least one flywheel when said electric motor is actuated by said feed means, and for disconnecting from said at least one flywheel, to functionally disconnect said at least one flywheel from said bevel wheel, when said electric motor is not actuated by said feed means and said vehicle is used in a traditional manner; a second free wheel disposed coaxial with said flywheel for connecting said flywheel to said pedals when said electric motor is not actuated by said feed means and said vehicle is used in a traditional manner, and for disconnecting from said flywheel for independent motion of said flywheel with respect to the motion of said pedals and motion of said central shaft when said electric motor is actuated by said feed means.