Patent Publication Number: US-2022220967-A1

Title: Auxiliary propelling set up for man-powered vehicles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The entire contents of Taiwan Patent Application No. 110101401, filed on Jan. 14, 2021, from which this application claims priority, are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an auxiliary propelling set up for man-powered vehicles. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Bicycles or man-powered vehicles provide convenience for human mobility. They are faster than walking, so shortening the transportation time, but slower than mobiles and hence safer than cars and motorcycles. However, the traditional bicycles need people to supply power, and people will feel tired if pedaling a bicycle for a long time. Therefore, electric bicycles or electric vehicles of low speeds are gaining popularity. In addition, with the environmental requirements of pollution-free transportation tools, current trend is to replace fossil fuels with electric manners. 
     Most of currently electric bicycles employ a motor to drive their wheels, and this manner requires significant amendments in the power mechanism of the bicycle. For example, Taiwan patent TW202010673A discloses an electric bicycle, which includes a driving unit that transmits driving force to the front or rear wheel. The force applied on the pedal by the rider combining with the driving force from the driving unit (including a motor) is transmitted to the front wheel or the rear wheel, thereby driving the electric bicycle to travel. Due to a different mechanism, people must purchase a new electric bicycle, which makes the original bicycle redundant and wasteful. 
     In addition, the wheel is linked with the motor in the design of the electric bicycle, so if the wheel does not rely on electric driving, it can only be driven by human power. Compared with ordinary bicycles, riders need to exert more power to drive electric bicycles. This makes most electric bicycles only suitable for electric drive and difficult to use as ordinary bicycles. 
     In addition, if the battery is dead in the outdoors, it is necessary to use human power to drive the electric bicycle. As mentioned above, it is inconvenient for the rider to spend more effort to drive the electric bicycle. And because of the fear that the battery is dead, it reduces the user&#39;s desire to use electric bicycles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary power for a man-powered vehicle includes an air propelling device and a control system. The air propelling device is mounted on the man-powered vehicle and is used to discharge air toward the back of the man-powered vehicle, such that the man-powered vehicle moves forward by a reaction force of the discharged air. The control system is connected to the air propelling device through a wired or wireless manner to control the amount of air discharged by the air propelling device. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary power further includes an air balancing device, which discharges air upward or downward the man-powered vehicle at the left and right sides of the man-powered vehicle. Such that the man-powered vehicle can be balanced by controlling the amount of air discharged from the left and right sides. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary power includes an auxiliary device and a control system. The auxiliary device is mounted on the man-powered vehicle and includes a converting mechanism and a plurality of auxiliary wheels. The auxiliary wheels are connected to the converting mechanism, and the converting mechanism can selectively position the auxiliary wheels in contact with the ground, so that the man-powered vehicle is driven by the auxiliary wheels. The control system connects to the auxiliary device in a wired or wireless manner so as to control the rotational speed of the auxiliary wheels. 
     The auxiliary power provided by the present invention does not affect the existing driving mechanism of the man-powered vehicle and is separated from the user&#39;s driving force, so the user can easily pedal the man-powered vehicle as usual. The two driving forces can be used in any ratio, which is much more convenient than traditional electric bicycles. 
     In addition, the auxiliary power provided by the present invention can be easily and quickly mounted on the man-powered vehicle, such that a traditional man-powered vehicle can be quickly transformed into an electric/man-powered vehicle without needing to purchase a new electric vehicle. When the battery is exhausted, the vehicle can rely on human power, or the auxiliary power can be quickly removed to transform the vehicle into a traditional man-powered vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views with different viewing angles, showing an air propelling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective view showing an air propelling device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2D  is a perspective view showing an air propelling device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a control system of an auxiliary power in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a control system of an auxiliary power in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a control system of an auxiliary power in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing an auxiliary power in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view showing an air balancing device that is mounted on a man-powered vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view showing an air propelling device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an auxiliary power that is mounted on a man-powered vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are schematic diagrams showing an auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made in detail to those specific embodiments of the invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations and components are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. While drawings are illustrated in detail, it is appreciated that the quantity of the disclosed components may be greater or less than that disclosed, except where expressly restricting the amount of the components. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used in drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles includes a control system  1  and an air propelling device  2 . The control system  1  and the air propelling device  2  are mounted on a man-powered vehicle (not shown). The air propelling device  2  can discharge air toward the rear of the man-powered vehicle, such that the man-powered vehicle moves forward by a reaction force of the discharged air. The control system  1  connects to the air propelling device  2  in a wired or wireless manner so as to control the amount of air discharged by the air propelling device  2 . 
     In this context, “man-powered vehicles” refers to any vehicle that is driven by the force of the rider&#39;s feet on a pedaling mechanism. Typical man-powered vehicles may direct to a bicycle or tricycle. Man-powered vehicles are usually two-wheeled, but they can also be three-wheeled, single-wheeled, or multi-wheeled. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views with different viewing angles, showing the air propelling device  2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in this embodiment, the air driving device  2  includes one or more guide fan assemblies  20  and one or more corresponding motors  21 . Each guide fan assembly  20  includes a propeller  201  and a duct  202 . The propeller  201  is arranged within the duct  202 , and the number of guide fan assemblies  20  corresponds to the number of motors  21 . Each motor  21  is connected to the corresponding propeller  201  and can drive the propeller  201  to rotate. A respective protective cover or housing (not shown) may be provided to cover each motor  21  so that the propellers  201  will not be directly touched by the users. The guide fan assemblies  20  may be mounted on the man-powered vehicle through a frame  22 , which is not limited to the structure shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In this embodiment, the number of the guide fan assemblies  20  and the number of the motors  21  is for example but not limited to two each. In one embodiment the number of the guide fan assemblies  20  and the motors  21  is four each, two rows respectively arranged up and down and two in each row.  FIG. 2C  shows another embodiment, where the number of the guide fan assemblies  20  and the number of motors  21  is three each. 
       FIG. 2D  shows an air propelling device  2  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the air propelling device  2  includes one or more propellers  23  and one or more motors  21 .  FIG. 2D  only shows one propeller  23  and one motor  21 , and the number of them can be multiple. The propeller  23  may be arranged in a protective cover  24 . The number of propellers  23  corresponds to the number of motors  21 . Each motor  21  is connected to one corresponding propeller  23  and drives the propeller  23  to rotate. A protective housing (not shown) may be provided to cover the motor. The protective cover  24  is mounted on the man-powered vehicle through a fixing frame  22 , which may have a structure different from  FIG. 2D . In one embodiment, the diameter of the propeller  23  is  18  inches. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a control system  1  of an auxiliary power in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the control system  1  includes a controller  101 , one or more electronic speed controllers (ESC)  102 , and a battery  103 . The electronic speed controller  102  is also referred as electronic speed control (ESC), and the number of electronic speed controllers  102  can correspond to the number of motors  21 . Each electronic speed controller  102  is connected to the controller  101 , the battery  103 , and the corresponding motor  21 . In some embodiments, the battery  103  may be a lithium battery, a solar-cell module, etc. In some embodiments, the battery  103  can be charged with a solar-cell module. In some embodiments, the battery  103  also provides power required by other components, such as the controller  101 . Each electronic speed controller  102  receives the control signal provided by the controller  101  and converts it into current for the motor  21  so as to control a rotational speed of the corresponding motor  21 . In some embodiments, the control signal provided by the controller  101  is a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. In some embodiments, the control signal provided by the controller  101  is a pulse-position modulation signal. In one embodiment, a digital servo tester, model no. 042766 sold by HJ Company, is employed as the controller  101 . The pulse width output by the controller  101  may range from 500 us to 2500 μs. And in one embodiment, it ranges from 800 μs to 2200 μs. The user can regulate the pulse width of the control signal by operating a knob  1010  of the controller  101 . The higher (wider) the pulse width of the control signal, the faster of the rotational speed of the motor  21  or the vice versa. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a control system  1  of an auxiliary power in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the control system  1  includes a remote controller  104 , a receiver  105 , one or more electronic speed controllers  102 , and a battery  103 . The number of electronic speed controllers  102  may correspond to the number of motors  21 . Each electronic speed controller  102  is connected to the receiver  105 , the battery  103 , and the corresponding motor  21 . The receiver  105  wirelessly receives a control signal e.g., a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal provided by the remote controller  101 , and transmits the control signal to the electronic speed controller  102 . Each electronic speed controller  102  receives the control signal provided by the receiver  105  through a wire or circuit and converts the control signal into a current for the corresponding motor  21  so as to control a rotational speed of the corresponding motor  21 . The user can regulate the pulse width of the output control signal by operating a mechanism, e.g., a joystick or a knob (not shown) mounted on the remote controller  101 . The higher (wider) the pulse width of the control signal, the faster of the rotational speed of the motor  21 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a control system  1  of an auxiliary power in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the control system  1  includes a variable resistor  106 , a first microprocessor  107 , a wireless transmitting module  108 , a wireless receiving module  109 , a second microprocessor  110 , one or more electronic speed controllers  102  and corresponding batteries  103 . The variable resistor  106  may be a rotary potentiometer or a linear slide potentiometer. The user rotates or slides the variable resistor  106  to change its output voltage. The first microprocessor  107  is connected to the variable resistor  106  to receive the voltage output by the variable resistor  106  and convert it into a control signal. The wireless transmitting module  108 , such as a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi transmission module, or other types of RF module, transmits the control signal in a wireless manner. The wireless receiving module  109 , such as a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other types of RF receiving module, receives the control signal. The second microprocessor  110  is connected to the wireless receiving module  109  to receive the control signal. The second microprocessor  110  may convert the control signal into a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. The number of electronic speed controllers  102  may correspond to the number of motors  21 . Each electronic speed controller  102  receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal provided by the second microprocessor  110  through a wire or circuit and converts it into a current for the corresponding motor  21  so as to control the rotational speed of the corresponding motor  21 . In one embodiment, the wireless receiving module  109  and the second microprocessor  110  of  FIG. 5  can be replaced by the receiver  105  of  FIG. 4 . 
     In one embodiment, the control system  1  shown in  FIG. 5  further includes one or more sensors  111 , such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, for detecting e.g., acceleration, attitude of the man-powered vehicle. The one or more sensors  111  may include a sensor for detecting the torque or rotational speed of the cranks of the man-powered vehicle, and a sensor for detecting obstacles. One or more sensors can transmit the detected or measured signal to the first microprocessor  111  (or the second microprocessor), which outputs a control signal according to the detected or measured signal to achieve intelligent control. In one embodiment, for example, the sensor  111  detects that the man-powered vehicle is climbing. In response thereto, a control signal is outputted to increase the amount of air discharged by the air propelling device  2  so as to increase the rotational speed of the motor  21 . In one embodiment, the sensor  111  detects a potentially dangerous event, e.g., an obstacle being detected within a certain distance in front of the man-powered vehicle. In response thereto, a control signal is outputted to reduce the amount of air discharged by the air propelling device  2 , so as to reduce the rotational speed of the motor  21 . In one embodiment, the one or more sensors  111  can with voice control. In this case, the user may regulate the speed of the man-powered vehicle through voice control. For example, if the user inputs “faster” through voice, the first microprocessor  107  outputs a control signal to increase the rotational speed of the motor  21 . 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing an auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , in addition to the control system  1  and the air propelling device  2 , the auxiliary power further includes an air balancing device  3 . The air balancing device  3  is arranged at a left side and a right side of the man-powered vehicle to discharge air upward or downward the man- powered vehicle, so as to balance the man-powered vehicle by controlling the amount of air discharged from the left side and the right. The direction of air discharged by the air balancing device  3  can be upward or downward. The amount of air discharged on the left side of the man-powered vehicle may be different from the amount of air discharged on the right side of the man-powered vehicle. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear view showing an air balancing device  3  that is mounted on a man-powered vehicle, e.g., a bicycle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the air balancing device  3  includes a plurality of guide fan assemblies  20  and a plurality of corresponding motors  21  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The guide fan assembly  20  may be mounted on the bicycle through a fixing mechanism, which may have a structure different from the structure shown in  FIG. 7 . The number of the guide fan assemblies  20  and the motors  21  are for example but not limited to two each, and the guide fan assemblies  20  and the motors are evenly arranged on the left and right sides of the bicycle. In this embodiment, air enters each guide fan assembly  20  and is discharged in the direction of the ground. For instance, if the sensor detects that the bicycle is leaning to the left with respect to the direction of travel, the control system  1  such as the first microprocessor  107 , outputs a control signal to increase the rotational speed of the motor  21  on the left side of the bicycle, and/or to decrease the rotational speed of the motor  21  on the right side of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the rotational directions of the guide fan assemblies  20  on the left and right sides may be the same or opposite. For example, the guide fan assembly  20  on the left rotates counterclockwise, and the guide fan assembly  20  on the right rotates clockwise. 
     In another embodiment, the air balancing device  3  includes a plurality of air propelling devices  2  as shown in  FIG. 2D . The air balancing device  3  includes a plurality of motors  21  and a plurality of propellers  23  which are evenly arranged on the left and right sides of the man-powered vehicle. The motors  21  correspond to the propellers  23 , and each motor  21  is connected to one corresponding propeller  23  and drives the corresponding propeller  23  to rotate. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view showing an air propelling device  2  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in this embodiment, the air propelling device  2  includes one or more compressed air devices  25 . Each compressed air device  25  may include a gas container  251 , an air inlet  252 , an air outlet  253 , and a control valve  254 . The one or more compressed air devices  25  are mounted on a man-powered vehicle through a fixing mechanism, and are capable of discharging air toward the rear of the man-powered vehicle. The container  251  is used to contain a compressed air, and its pressure may range between 50 atm and 200 atm. The air inlet  252  is used to inject the compressed air into the container  251 . In one embodiment, the air inlet  252  is omitted. The air outlet  253  is used to discharge the compressed air. Through electronic or mechanical control, the control valve  2  is used to control the amount of the compressed air to be discharged. In one embodiment, the user varies the size of the flow passage of the control valve  2  through the control system  1  to control the amount of the discharged air. In one embodiment, the number of compressed air devices  25  is for example but not limited to two. In another embodiment, the number of compressed air devices  25  is four. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates that the auxiliary power in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a bicycle. In this embodiment, the air propelling device  2  includes two guide fan assemblies  20  and two motors  21 , and the control system  1  of  FIG. 3  is adopted. The guide fan assemblies  20  are mounted on the rear seat of the bicycle, but they can also be mounted on other parts of the bicycle. The guide fan assemblies  20  may be mounted in any position of the bicycle as long as they do not affect people&#39;s movements and where there is airflow through the guide fan assemblies  20 . 
     In one embodiment, the air balancing device  3  shown in  FIG. 6  includes a plurality of compressed air devices  25  shown in  FIG. 8 . The compressed air devices  3  are evenly arranged on the left and right sides of the man-powered vehicle, and discharge air upward or downward the man-powered vehicle. By controlling the amount of air discharged from the left side and the right side, the man-powered vehicle is balanced. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are schematic diagrams showing an auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles includes an auxiliary device  4  and the previously described control system  1 . The auxiliary device  4  is mounted on a man-powered vehicle, e.g., a bicycle, and includes a converting mechanism  401  and a pair or a plurality of auxiliary wheels  402  connected to the converting mechanism  401 . The user can switch the position of the auxiliary wheels  402  through the switching mechanism  401 . As shown in  FIG. 10A , the converting mechanism  401  may have two pivot ends  403  pivoted to an axle  80  of a rear wheel  70  of the man-powered vehicle. Through the pivoting of the pivot ends  403 , the auxiliary wheels  402  are located on the rear seat  90  (or behind the rear wheel) of the bicycle, so that the bicycle is driven by the original rear wheel  70  as usual. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 10B , the converting mechanism  401  is pivoted so that the auxiliary wheels  402  are in contact with the ground to replace the original rear wheel  70 , and the bicycle is driven by the auxiliary wheels  402 . The control system  1  is connected to the auxiliary wheels  402  in a wired or wireless manner to control the rotational speed of the auxiliary wheels  402 . The details of the control system  1  have been previously described in  FIGS. 3-5 , for example. In one embodiment, each auxiliary wheel  402  can be connected to one corresponding motor  21 , which can be controlled through one corresponding electronic speed controller  102 , and a controller  101  provide control signals to the electronic speed controller  102  so as to control a rotational speed of the motor  21  and the auxiliary wheel  402 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention the converting mechanism  401  may differ from the structure shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . For example, the converting mechanism  401  includes one or more sliding grooves that are mounted on the rear seat  90 , the axle  80 , and/or other parts of the bicycle, and the auxiliary wheels  402  can move vertically in or along the sliding grooves to a desired position. 
     The provided auxiliary power for man-powered vehicles has the following advantages. First, the air propelling device  2  (including the guide fan assemblies  20  or the air compression devices  25 ) or the auxiliary device  4  is not linked with the wheels of the man-powered vehicle, e.g., bicycle. Therefore, the auxiliary power and the thrust provided by the rider can be simultaneously practiced. And the two thrusts can be practiced in any ratio. Depending on the need of individual users, the man-powered vehicle can be driven by the thrust provided from the rider, or the thrust provided by the rider combined with the auxiliary power, or the thrust entirely relying on the auxiliary power. 
     In a specific embodiment, the auxiliary power provided by embodiments of this invention is applied to a bicycle, and employs the air propelling device  2  shown in FIGS.  2 A and  2 B. Generally, the power required to drive a bicycle, i.e., the power provided by pedaling of a person, is about 200 W. If each guide fan assembly  20  has an efficiency of 30%, an input voltage of 24V, and a current of 10 A, then the auxiliary power generates power of 240 W and an effective power of 72 W, which is 36% of the pedaling power of a person required to drive the bicycle. In other words, the auxiliary power can save 36% labor. If each guide fan assembly  20  has an input voltage of 24V and a current of 20 A, then the auxiliary power generates power of 480 W11 and an effective power of 144 W, which is 72% of the pedaling power of a person. In other words, the auxiliary power can save 72% labor. If each guide fan assembly  20  has an input voltage of 24V and a current of 30 A, then the auxiliary power generates power of 720 W and an effective power of 216 W, which is more than 100% of the pedaling power of a person required to drive the bicycle. In other words, the bicycle can be driven by entirely relying on the auxiliary power. 
     The air propelling device  2  provided by the present invention is a novel concept. The provided thrust is irrelevant to friction between the wheels and the ground. The air propelling device  2  can cooperate with wheels to easily move the vehicle forward on the ground without worrying about the wheels slipping due to the smooth or wet ground. The auxiliary power is separated from the wheels, where the auxiliary power provides forward thrust, and the wheels provide low-friction support. Therefore, the auxiliary power provided by the present invention can be used not only in man-powered vehicles, but also in other electric vehicles or vehicles to transport cargo. 
     The intent accompanying this disclosure is to have each/all embodiments construed in conjunction with the knowledge of one skilled in the art to cover all modifications, variations, combinations, permutations, omissions, substitutions, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments, to the extent not mutually exclusive, as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that embodiments include, and in other interpretations do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, or interpretations thereof, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.