Patent Description:
The following description will refer mainly to an electric motorcycle or moped without wishing to limit the field of application. Furthermore, in the following description the terms motorcycle and moped should be considered equivalent.

The use of electric motors is known both in motorcycles of hybrid type, in which one or more internal combustion engines are assisted by one or more electric motors, and in fully electric motorcycles, driven exclusively by the electric motor.

In some typical embodiments of known type, an electric motorcycle advantageously includes a high voltage main battery that provides the energy for driving the electric motor and a low voltage service battery that provides energy to many electric and electronic equipment of the motorcycle. In solutions of this type, a DC-DC converter is furthermore normally provided to convert the high voltage current generated by the main battery into a low voltage current to power the low voltage service battery.

One of the functions performed by the service battery is to provide energy to the system in the starting phase of the motorcycle. In practice, in the starting phase, the user, by means of a switch (typically operated by the vehicle ignition key or push-button), connects the service battery to the VCU (Vehicle Control Unit). The latter, in turn, through a BMS (Battery Management System), activates the main battery, enabling it to drive the traction motor and maintain the service battery charged through the DC-DC converter.

This solution, although it performs the task of managing powering of the electric traction motor and of the various electronic and electric devices of the motorcycle in an optimal manner, nevertheless has some drawbacks. Among these, the drawback that occurs when the service battery is flat or faulty is particularly serious for the user. In this case, in fact, in the absence of the initial energy from the VCU provided by the service battery, the motorcycle cannot be started, even though the high voltage main battery is sufficiently charged.

To solve this problem, different solutions have been proposed. <CIT> and <CIT>, for example, both disclose a device for powering and controlling an electric vehicle is disclosed. These solutions, however, have various drawbacks due above all to the complexity of the circuits used to guarantee starting of the vehicle and/or to the systems proposed not being fully reliable.

<CIT> discloses a device and a method for emergency start of a vehicle wherein the control means provided for recharging the battery are supplied by an external voltage source. <CIT> and <CIT> each disclose an activation device and an activation method for a dual battery system.

It would therefore be desirable to have an electric vehicle, and in particular an electric motorcycle, with improved characteristics, able to overcome the problems of the vehicles of known type deriving from the impossibility of starting the vehicle in conditions in which the service battery is not sufficiently charged for the purpose.

A device for powering and controlling an electrical vehicle is known from <CIT>. <CIT> discloses an electrical vehicle comprising rechargeable batteries.

One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for powering and controlling an electric vehicle, and in particular an electric motorcycle, which makes it possible to start the vehicle also when the service battery is not sufficiently charged.

A further object is to make it possible to start the vehicle also when the service battery is not sufficiently charged and, once the vehicle has been started, to allow recharging of the service battery.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for powering and controlling an electric vehicle which is provided with emergency starting means in the event of the service battery not being sufficiently charged to allow starting of the vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for powering and controlling an electric vehicle which can be manufactured with relatively simple circuit means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for powering and controlling an electric vehicle which is easy to manufacture at competitive costs.

The above-mentioned and further objects and advantages of the present invention, as will be illustrated in the following part of the description, are achieved by means of an electric motorbike which comprises an electric traction motor and a control system of the motorbike and of the electric traction motor. Said electric motorbike further comprises a powering and controlling device that includes a first main battery for supplying the electric traction motor and said control system, a second service battery adapted to supply said control system during a starting phase of said motorbike, first starting means of the vehicle and second emergency starting means of the motorbike. According to the present invention, said control system comprises a first control unit of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor and a second control unit of said first main battery; said first starting means are operatively connected to said second service battery and to said first control unit of the motorbike and the electric traction motor to supply said first control unit by means of said second service battery under normal conditions; said second motorbike emergency starting means are operatively connected to said second control unit to power said first control unit by means of said first main battery in emergency starting conditions.

Said emergency starting conditions are the conditions in which the second service battery is not provided with sufficient charge to allow starting of the motorbike. According to the invention, said first starting means comprise a first starting switch and said second motorbike emergency starting means comprise a second emergency switch, wherein said first starting means and said second motorbike emergency starting means can be operated by an user.

In this way, as better explained below, by means of the second emergency starting means it is possible to activate the second control unit, in practice consisting of a control unit (BMS) of the first main battery, in such a way as to allow powering of the first control unit, comprising a vehicle control unit (VCU), by means of the first main battery when the second service battery is not sufficiently charged, and therefore enable starting of the vehicle.

For the purposes of the present invention, by the term "emergency starting conditions" it is meant conditions in which the second service battery is not provided with sufficient charge to allow starting of the vehicle.

Furthermore, with the term "battery" it is meant any electrical energy storage device which can be recharged and is able to supply electrical energy to a circuit connected to it.

The term "electric vehicle" wants to indicate any vehicle provided with at least one electric traction motor, therefore comprising vehicles with fully electric traction and vehicles with hybrid traction.

Lastly, for the purpose of the present invention, the term "electric traction motor" wants to indicate an "electric motor" which provides driving torque to a driven wheel of the motorbike. Normally said first and second switch can be operated by a user and can typically consist of an ignition key or ignition push button and an emergency starting push button respectively.

In further detail, in an embodiment according to the present invention, the device for powering and controlling the motorbike can advantageously comprise third switching means which are controlled by said second control unit of said first main battery and which are adapted to connect said first main battery to the first control unit of the motorbike and the electric traction motor; furthermore, the device for powering and controlling can advantageously comprise fourth switching means which are controlled by said first control unit of the motorbike and the electric traction motor and operatively connected to said second control unit of said first main battery and are adapted to send to said second control unit a signal for activation/deactivation of said third switching means.

In practice, the third switching means can consist of a switch (main switch), controlled by the control unit (BMS) of the main battery, which allows the power supply of the control system of the motorbike and the electric traction motor to be electrically connected to the voltage of the first main battery. In turn the fourth switching means can consist of a further switch (ignition switch) controlled by the motorbike control unit (VCU), the closing of which is detected by the BMS which consequently activates closing of the main switch.

In normal conditions, therefore, the VCU can be activated by the ignition key and determines closing of the ignition switch. The BMS detects the closing of the latter and activates the main switch, causing closure of the power supply circuit of the control system of the motorbike and the electric traction motor by means of the main battery.

In an embodiment of the device for powering and controlling an electric motorbike, according to the present invention, the second emergency starting switch is adapted to send to said second control unit of said first main battery a signal for the activation/deactivation of said third switching means.

In practice, in emergency starting conditions, the user, by means of a push button for example, operates the second emergency starting switch, causing it to close. The BMS then detects closure of the latter and activates the main switch, causing closure of the circuit powering the motorbike and motor control system by means of the main battery.

In an embodiment, said third switching means can advantageously comprise an internal switch of said first main battery, thus simplifying the circuit arrangement.

Typically said first main battery and said second service battery operate at different voltage levels and normally the first main battery operates at a higher voltage level than the second service battery. Typical operating values, for example, can be <NUM> V for the first main battery and <NUM> V for the second service battery.

In this case, said first control unit of said motorbike and said electric traction motor advantageously comprises voltage converter means interposed between said first main battery and said second service battery.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first control unit of the motorbike and the electric traction motor preferably comprises first control means of the electric motor (MCU), comprising the control and power electronics of the electric traction motor, and second control means of the motorbike, comprising the motorbike control electronics.

In practice, in this embodiment, the first control means of the electric traction motor are operatively connected to the first main battery and to the electric traction motor for driving said electric traction motor.

Furthermore, the second control means (VCU) of the motorbike are operatively connected to said second service battery to start the motorbike in normal conditions and are operatively connected to said first main battery for starting the vehicle in emergency conditions. In other words, the VCU, as explained better in the following detailed description, in the starting phase in normal conditions can be advantageously powered by the second service battery, while in the starting phase in emergency conditions, it can be powered by the first main battery.

The motorbike of the present invention can advantageously consist of an electric moped. In this case, the emergency switch can be advantageously operated by a user via push-button means positioned for example in an under-saddle compartment of the moped.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the description of some embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached Figures, in which:.

With reference to the attached figures, in its more general embodiment, the device <NUM> of the present invention is adapted to powering and controlling an electric vehicle comprising an electric traction motor <NUM> and a control system <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM>. The electric traction motor <NUM> provides driving torque to a driven wheel of the vehicle.

The device <NUM> comprises a first main battery <NUM> which is adapted to power the electric traction motor <NUM> and the control system <NUM>, in addition to a second service battery <NUM> which is adapted to power the control system <NUM> during an ignition phase of the vehicle.

The device <NUM> further comprises first starting means <NUM> of the vehicle, consisting for example of a first switch <NUM> which can be operated by the user by means of an ignition key or ignition push button and second emergency starting means <NUM> of the vehicle, consisting for example of a second switch <NUM> that can be operated by the user by means of an emergency starting push button and positioned on an emergency circuit <NUM>.

One of the particular characteristics of the device <NUM> according to the present invention is given by the fact that said control system <NUM> comprises a first control unit <NUM> of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor <NUM> and a second control unit <NUM> of the first main battery <NUM>.

In physical terms, the first control unit <NUM> of the vehicle and the second control unit <NUM> of the first main battery <NUM> can be integrated in the same control system <NUM> (<FIG>). Alternatively, the second control unit <NUM> can be advantageously integrated in physical terms in a control system <NUM> of the first main battery <NUM> (<FIG>). In turn, the control system <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> of the first main battery <NUM> can be physically integrated, totally or partially (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>), or physically separated (<FIG> and <FIG>).

Another of the particular features of the device <NUM> according to the present invention is given by the fact that the first starting switch <NUM> is operatively connected to said second service battery <NUM> and to said first control unit <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM>, in such a way that when it is closed (ignition key set to ON), the first control unit <NUM> is powered by means of the second service battery <NUM> to allow starting of the vehicle.

As better explained below, the second emergency starting switch <NUM> is operatively connected to the second control unit <NUM> in such a way to allow powering of the first control unit <NUM> by means of the first main battery <NUM> under emergency conditions, namely when the second service battery <NUM> does not have sufficient charge to permit starting of the vehicle.

With reference to <FIG>, in a preferred embodiment the device <NUM> for powering and controlling an electric vehicle comprises third switching means <NUM> which are controlled by the second control unit <NUM> of the first main battery <NUM> and are adapted to connect said first main battery <NUM> to the first control unit <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM>.

The device <NUM> further comprises fourth switching means <NUM> which are controlled by the first control unit <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM> and which are operatively connected to said second control unit <NUM> of said first main battery <NUM>. As better explained below, the fourth switching means <NUM> are adapted to send to the second control unit <NUM> a signal for the activation/deactivation of said third switching means <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the device of the present invention, the third switching means <NUM> consist of a switch <NUM> (main switch) which is controlled by the BMS <NUM> of the main battery <NUM>, and allows to connect electrically the power supply of the control system <NUM> of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor <NUM> to the voltage of the first main battery <NUM>. In turn, the fourth switching means <NUM> consist of a further switch <NUM> (ignition switch) which is controlled by the vehicle control unit (VCU) so that when its closure is detected by the BMS <NUM>, the latter consequently activates closing of the main switch <NUM>, thus starting the vehicle under normal conditions.

Under emergency starting conditions, on the other hand, the second emergency starting switch <NUM> is adapted to send to said second control unit <NUM> of said first main battery <NUM> a signal for the activation/deactivation of said third switching means <NUM>. The user then, by means of a push button for example, acts on the second emergency starting switch <NUM>, causing it to close. The BMS <NUM> then detects closing of the emergency circuit <NUM> and activates the main switch <NUM> causing closure of the powering circuit of the control system <NUM> of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor <NUM> by means of the main battery <NUM>.

In practical terms, the main switch <NUM> can advantageously consist of an internal switch of said first main battery <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, in the device <NUM> for powering and controlling an electric vehicle according to the invention, the main traction battery <NUM> and the second service battery <NUM> operate at different voltage levels, for example at voltages of <NUM> V and <NUM> V respectively.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in an example of the device <NUM> of the invention, the first control unit <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM> comprises voltage converter means <NUM> (in practice, a DC-DC converter) which are interposed between said first main battery <NUM> and said second service battery <NUM>.

In this way it is possible to produce an operative interface between the two batteries <NUM> and <NUM> thus permitting, among other things, recharging of the service battery <NUM> by means of the main battery <NUM>.

Again with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in an example of the device <NUM> of the invention, said first control unit <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM> comprises first control means <NUM> of the electric motor (typically a Motor Control Unit - MCU) and second control means <NUM> of the vehicle (Vehicle Control Unit - VCU).

Typically, the MCU <NUM> of the electric traction motor <NUM> is operatively connected to the first main battery <NUM> and to said electric traction motor <NUM> so as to allow the driving of said electric traction motor <NUM>.

Furthermore, the VCU <NUM> of the vehicle is typically operatively connected to said second service battery <NUM> for starting the vehicle in normal conditions and is operatively connected to said first main battery <NUM> to allow starting of the vehicle under emergency conditions.

In practice, during normal operation the vehicle starting procedure is the following.

The user operates the first starting means <NUM>, for example by setting the key switch to the ON position. The VCU <NUM> is then powered by the service battery <NUM> and gives the command for closing the ignition switch <NUM> of the main battery <NUM> intended mainly for traction.

The BMS <NUM> detects closing of the ignition contact <NUM> and activates the main switch <NUM>, connecting the power supply of the control system <NUM> of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor <NUM> to the main battery <NUM>. Once powered, the control system <NUM> of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor <NUM> is able to maintain the charge of the service battery <NUM> by means of the DC-DC converter <NUM> and drive the electric traction motor <NUM> by means of the MCU <NUM>.

If the service battery <NUM> is flat, it is not possible to power the VCU <NUM> and proceed with the standard ignition procedure; the emergency starting procedure must be employed by means of the emergency starting switch <NUM>. The emergency starting procedure is the following.

The user operates the first starting means <NUM>, for example by setting the key switch to the ON position. Since the service battery <NUM> is flat, the VCU <NUM> cannot be powered and cannot give the command for closing the ignition switch <NUM> of the main traction battery <NUM>.

At this point the user operates the emergency starting switch <NUM> (for example by means of a push button) closing the emergency circuit <NUM>. The BMS <NUM> detects closing of the emergency circuit <NUM> and activates the main switch <NUM> connecting the power supply of the control system <NUM> of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor <NUM> to the main battery <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> of the vehicle and of the electric traction motor <NUM>, once powered, is able to power the VCU <NUM> and recharge the service battery <NUM> by means of the DC-DC converter <NUM>. The VCU <NUM> can then command closing of the ignition switch <NUM> of the main battery <NUM>.

At this point the user can release the push button activating the emergency starting switch <NUM>. At this point, the vehicle has been started and is in the normal operating mode, with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle and the electric traction motor <NUM> continuing to charge the service battery <NUM> by means of the DC-DC converter <NUM> and at the same time can begin driving the electric traction motor <NUM> by means of the MCU <NUM>.

It has been seen in practice that a device for powering and controlling an electric vehicle, and in particular an electric motorcycle, according to the present invention achieves the predefined objects.

Using the powering and controlling device of the present invention, it is in fact possible to start the vehicle also when the service battery is not sufficiently charged.

Furthermore, once the vehicle has been started, the powering and controlling device of the present invention allows recharging of the service battery.

As has been seen from the previous description and attached figures, the powering and controlling device of the present invention can be produced with relatively simple circuit means.

Claim 1:
An electric motorbike comprising an electric traction motor (<NUM>) and a control system (<NUM>) of the motorbike and of said electric traction motor (<NUM>), wherein said electric motorbike comprises a powering and controlling device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first main battery (<NUM>) for supplying said electric traction motor (<NUM>) and said control system (<NUM>),
a second service battery (<NUM>) which is adapted to supply said control system (<NUM>) during a starting phase of said motorbike, first motorbike starting means (<NUM>) and second motorbike emergency starting means (<NUM>), wherein said control system (<NUM>) comprises a first control unit (<NUM>) of the vehicle and of the said electric traction motor (<NUM>) and a second control unit (<NUM>) of said first main battery (<NUM>)
said first starting means (<NUM>) being operatively connected to said second service battery (<NUM>) and said first control unit (<NUM>) of the motorbike and said electric traction motor (<NUM>) to supply said first control unit (<NUM>) through said second service battery (<NUM>) under normal conditions,
said second motorbike emergency starting means (<NUM>) being operatively connected to said second control unit (<NUM>) to supply said first control unit (<NUM>) through said first main battery (<NUM>) in emergency starting conditions, wherein said emergency starting conditions are the conditions in which the second service battery is not provided with sufficient charge to allow starting of the motorbike, wherein said first motorbike starting means (<NUM>) comprise a first starting switch and said second motorbike emergency starting means (<NUM>) comprise a second emergency starting switch, wherein said first motorbike starting means and said second motorbike emergency starting means can be operated by an user.