AU2014221299A1

AU2014221299A1 - Electric assisted bicycle

Info

Publication number: AU2014221299A1
Application number: AU2014221299A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Thieric Ardouin; Jean-Marc Forestier
Original assignee: JCDecaux SE
Current assignee: JCDecaux SE
Priority date: 2013-09-19
Filing date: 2014-09-09
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: EP2883785B1; JP2015060839A; FR3010693A1; FR3010693B1; EP2883785A1

Abstract

Electric assisted bicycle comprising a battery holder (12) which defines an inner housing in the form of a shaft (32) open at the top and bottom, and which is adapted for receiving a vertically inserted removable battery (34). The battery holder supports internal lateral electrical contacts (42) arranged in the inner housing and adapted to press substantially horizontally against external lateral electrical contacts (44) that are part of the battery. Figure 3 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT a 19 u 18 \ 17 \ 13 LCC) con C)) 'gr

Description

- 1 ELECTRIC ASSISTED BICYCLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electric assisted bicycles (EAB). 5 More particularly, the invention relates to an electric assisted bicycle comprising: - a frame supported by two wheels; - an electric motor adapted to drive at least one of the two wheels; and 10 - a battery holder mounted on the frame and having an annular side wall which defines an inner housing in the form of a shaft open at the top when the bicycle is in the normal usage position, and which is adapted to receive a vertically inserted removable battery. 15 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An example of an electric assisted bicycle of this type is given in particular in EP 0712779 B1, in which the battery holder comprises an outer housing closed by a lid and supporting an inner housing containing batteries. 20 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide an electric assisted bicycle having an improved battery holder. For this purpose, an electric assisted bicycle of the type in question is characterized in that the inner housing 25 is also open at the bottom, and in that the side wall supports internal lateral electrical contacts arranged in the inner housing and adapted to press substantially horizontally 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 2 against external lateral electrical contacts that are part of said battery in order to supply power to the electric motor when said battery is fitted into place in said inner housing. With these arrangements, the battery holder of the EAB 5 is not only simple to make and therefore inexpensive, but it also allows rapid insertion of the battery. Moreover, such a holder can be adapted to any battery size and shape, and can be used even when it is raining. In various embodiments of the electric assisted bicycle 10 according to the invention, one or more of the following arrangements may advantageously be used: - the battery holder comprises springs adapted to resiliently urge the internal lateral electrical contacts towards the inside of the battery holder; 15 - the battery holder comprises two opposing pairs of internal lateral electrical contacts; - the side wall of the battery holder further supports clips arranged in the inner housing and adapted to snap-fit into recesses provided on said battery; 20 - each clip comprises a substantially V-shaped tongue projecting from the side wall towards the inside of the battery holder; - the battery holder comprises two opposing pairs of clips; 25 - the battery holder has the general shape of a truncated pyramid; - the bicycle further comprises said battery fitted into place in the inner housing of said battery holder, the 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 3 internal lateral electrical contacts of the battery holder pressing substantially horizontally against the external lateral electrical contacts of said battery in order to supply power to the electric motor; and 5 - the internal lateral electrical contacts of the battery holder exert a bearing force of between 10 and 15 N on the external lateral electrical contacts of said battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood by reading the 10 following description of one of its embodiments, given solely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a side view of an electric assisted bicycle of the invention; 15 - figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery holder and battery of the EAB of figure 1; - figure 3 is a view identical to that of figure 2 but provides a section view along a longitudinal vertical plane, with the battery outside of the battery holder; and 20 - figure 4 is a view identical to that of figure 3, but with the battery inside the battery holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the various figures, the same references denote identical or similar elements. 25 Figure 1 shows an electric assisted bicycle (EAB) 10 according to the invention. 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 4 The EAB 10 generally comprises a frame 11 supported by two wheels 13, 14, an electric motor 15 adapted to drive at least one of the wheels 13, 14, a removable battery 34 to supply power to the electric motor 15, a battery holder 12 5 mounted on the frame 11, and a processor 16 for controlling the electric motor 15 based on information provided by a plurality of sensors, in particular speed sensors and pedal torque sensors. In this example, the electric motor 15 is a hub motor 10 inserted in place of the front axle 13 and adapted to drive the front wheel 13 directly. The frame 11 comprises frame tubes 17 and a front fork 18. In this example, the processor 16 is attached to a frame 15 tube 17 and the battery holder 12 is mounted inside a basket 19 attached to the front fork 18. Based on the information (speed and pedal torque) provided by the various sensors to the processor 16, the processor 16 regulates the current supplied by the battery 34 20 to the electric motor 15, and the electric motor 15 provides more or less assistance to the user by driving the front wheel 13 to a greater or lesser extent. Referring to figure 2, the battery holder 12 comprises an annular side wall 26 and two opposing end faces, namely an 25 upper end face 28 and a lower end face 30. The side wall 26 and the two opposing end faces 28, 30 define therebetween an inner housing 32 adapted to receive the battery 34 when fitted vertically into place. 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 5 The inner housing 32 is in the form of a shaft-like housing open at the top and bottom when the EAB 10 is in the normal usage position illustrated in figure 1. In other words, the battery holder 12 is open to the 5 outside at its two opposing end faces 28, 30. The inner housing 32 extends through it and opens to the outside of the battery holder 12 at the upper end face 28 and the lower end face 30. The battery holder 12 is a holder with no bottom. Thus, when it rains, water which enters the battery 10 holder 12 by the upper end face 28 can easily flow through the inner housing 32 and escape by the lower end face 30. In the example considered, the annular side wall 26 is closed and forms four lateral faces 36, 38 arranged in opposing pairs. The battery holder 12 has the general shape 15 of a truncated pyramid. Alternatively, the side wall 26 may be open and the battery holder 12 may have any general shape, for example generally cylindrical, rectangular parallelepipedal, etc. As can best be seen in figure 3, the inner housing 32 20 has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the shape and dimensions of the battery 34. Here, the inner housing 32 and the battery 34 have a rectangular parallelepipedal shape. Alternatively, the inner housing 32 and the battery 34 may have any suitable shape, for example a cylindrical shape. 25 The battery holder 12 further comprises retaining members 40 adapted to hold the battery 34 in the inner housing 32, and internal lateral electrical contacts 42 adapted to be electrically connected to the external lateral electrical contacts 44 of the battery 34. 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 6 The retaining members 40 and electrical contacts 42 are provided on the side wall 26 of the battery holder 12. The retaining members 40 comprise clips 46 arranged in the inner housing 32 and each projecting from an inner 5 surface 48 of the side wall 26 towards the inside of the battery holder 12. The clips 46 are arranged to be adjacent to the upper end face 28 of the battery holder 12. In the example considered, the retaining members 40 10 comprise two opposing pairs of clips 46, one pair being arranged on one of the opposing lateral faces 38 of the side wall 26 and the other pair being arranged on the other of the opposing lateral faces 38 of the side wall 26. Alternatively, the clips 46 may be arranged on each of 15 two opposing lateral faces 36 of the side wall 26. Each clip 46 is formed by a tongue 50 attached at one end to the side wall 26 and curving to an opposite end, substantially forming a V. The clips 46 are thus adapted to snap-fit into 20 complementary recesses 52 provided on the battery 34. The internal lateral electrical contacts 42 are arranged in the inner housing 32 and are adapted to press substantially horizontally against the external lateral electrical contacts 44 of the battery 34 in order to supply 25 power to the electric motor 15 when the battery 34 is fitted into place in the inner housing 32. The internal lateral electrical contacts 42 are arranged to be adjacent to the lower end face 30 of the battery holder 12. 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 7 In the present embodiment, the battery holder 12 comprises two opposing pairs of internal lateral electrical contacts 42, one pair being arranged on one of the opposing lateral faces 38 of the side wall 26 and the other pair being 5 arranged on the other of the opposing lateral faces 38 of the side wall 26. Alternatively, the internal lateral electrical contacts 42 may be arranged on each of two opposing lateral faces 36 of the side wall 26. 10 The battery holder 12 also comprises springs 54 adapted to resiliently urge the internal lateral electrical contacts 42 towards the inside of the battery holder 12. Here, the battery holder 12 comprises four springs 54, one spring 54 for each internal lateral electrical contact 15 42. Each internal lateral electrical contact 42 is thus attached at one end to the side wall 26 and is held in a position where its opposite end is biased by the spring 54 against a corresponding abutment 56 formed in the side wall 20 26. Between these two ends, each electrical contact 42 further has a central rounded protrusion 58 which projects from the inner surface 48 of the side wall 26 towards the inside of the battery holder 12 when the internal lateral 25 electrical contact 42 is in the spring-biased position. The protrusions 58 are intended to press against the corresponding external lateral electrical contact 44 of the battery 34 when said battery is mounted in the battery holder 12. 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 8 Thus, the internal lateral electrical contacts 42/springs 54 participate in holding the battery 34 in place in the battery holder 12 and ensure there is an effective electrical connection between the battery holder 12 and the 5 battery 34. When a user wishes to use the battery 34, he or she simply inserts it substantially vertically into the battery holder 12 by the upper end face 28, as indicated by arrow F in figure 4, until the clips 46 snap into place in the 10 recesses 52. Only one movement is needed to mount the battery 34 in the battery holder 12. The battery 34 is then held in place in the inner housing 32 by the clips 46/recesses 52, but also by the internal lateral electrical contacts 42/springs 54, the 15 protrusions 58 pressing substantially horizontally against the external lateral electrical contacts 44 of the battery 34. The stiffness of the springs and the configuration of the various components of the battery holder 12 are such that 20 the internal lateral electrical contacts 42 exert a bearing force A of between 10 and 15 N on the external lateral electrical contacts 44. When inserting the battery 34 into the inner housing 32, the protrusions 58 of the internal lateral electrical 25 contacts 42 of the battery holder 12 rub against the lower end 60 of the battery 34. The rubbing from the internal lateral electrical contacts 42 thus provides automatic cleaning, particularly of the protrusions 58, thereby improving the electrical 30 connection between the battery holder 12 and battery 34. 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 9 The invention thus provides an electric assisted bicycle with a battery holder which is simple to manufacture and use, and which provides improved reliability. The battery is inserted vertically into the battery 5 holder with a single gesture, and, by means of the retaining members as well as the electrical contacts of the battery holder and the springs, the battery holder ensures effective retention of the battery and an effective electrical connection to the battery. 10 In addition, whether or not the battery is present, the fact that the battery holder is open at both the top and bottom limits any accumulation of foreign elements inside the battery holder, including water and dust. Furthermore, the battery holder can be adapted to any 15 battery size and shape, in particular small batteries. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 20 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art 25 publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT

Claims

1. Electric assisted bicycle (10) comprising: - a frame (11) supported by two wheels (13, 14); - an electric motor (15) adapted to drive at least one of 5 the two wheels (13, 14); and - a battery (34) holder (12) mounted on the frame (11) and having an annular side wall (26) which defines an inner housing (32) in the form of a shaft open at the top when the bicycle (10) is in the normal usage position, and which is 10 adapted to receive a vertically inserted removable battery (34), characterized in that the inner housing (32) is also open at the bottom, and in that the side wall (26) supports internal lateral 15 electrical contacts (42) arranged in the inner housing (32) and adapted to press substantially horizontally against external lateral electrical contacts (44) that are part of said battery (34) in order to supply power to the electric motor (15) when said battery (34) is fitted into place in 20 said inner housing (32).

2. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the battery (34) holder (12) comprises springs (54) adapted to resiliently urge the internal lateral electrical contacts (42) towards the inside of the battery (34) holder 25 (12).

3. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the battery (34) holder (12) comprises two opposing pairs of internal lateral electrical contacts (42).

4. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to any one of 30 claims 1 to 3, wherein the side wall (26) of the battery (34) 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT - 11 holder (12) further supports clips (46) arranged in the inner housing (32) and adapted to snap-fit into recesses (52) provided on said battery (34).

5. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to claim 4, 5 wherein each clip (46) comprises a substantially V-shaped tongue (50) projecting from the side wall (26) towards the inside of the battery (34) holder (12).

6. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the battery (34) holder (12) comprises two opposing 10 pairs of clips (46).

7. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the battery (34) holder (12) has the general shape of a truncated pyramid.

8. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to any one of 15 claims 1 to 7, further comprising said battery (34) fitted into place in the inner housing (32) of said battery (34) holder (12), the internal lateral electrical contacts (42) of the battery (34) holder (12) pressing substantially horizontally against the external lateral electrical contacts 20 (44) of said battery (34) in order to supply power to the electric motor (15).

9. Electric assisted bicycle (10) according to claim 8, wherein the internal lateral electrical contacts (42) of the battery (34) holder (12) exert a bearing force (A) of between 25 10 and 15 N on the external lateral electrical contacts (44) of said battery (34). 5750878_1 (GHMatters) P97910.AU LYNT