DE102022102239A1 - Propulsion system for a human-powered vehicle and method for retrofitting a detection device in the propulsion system - Google Patents

Abstract

A drive system 5 for a human-powered vehicle 1 is provided, with a generator module 6 for generating electrical energy for a drive module 7, the generator module 6 having a generator 14 that can be driven by a vehicle user by pedaling power, and a pedal crankshaft 13 for transmitting pedaling force from a pedal crank 9 has the generator 14, with an electronics unit 10 for converting and/or distributing the electrical energy between the generator module 6 and the drive module 7 and/or an energy storage module 8, with a control unit 15 for controlling the generator module 6, with at least one connection cable 12 for connection of electronic unit 10 to control unit 15, with connection cable 12 being designed for connecting a detection device 17 for detecting a movement and/or position of at least one of pedal cranks 9, control unit 15 being designed based on the sensor data from detection device 17 to implement functionalities and/or to further process the sensor data in terms of data technology.

Description

The invention relates to a drive system for a human-powered vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for retrofitting a detection device in the drive system.

Electric bicycles are known which can be driven without a physical drive connection between the crank and the rear wheel. The driver uses the pedal cranks to drive a generator to generate electricity in order to supply electricity to a drive motor connected to the rear wheel. With such a drive system, the physical drive connection, such as a chain, toothed belt, cardan shaft, etc., can be omitted. Any heat generated during operation is generally given off to the environment via the housing of the generator.

The pamphlet DE 196 00 698 A1 discloses a vehicle that can be operated with muscle power, in particular a bicycle. The bicycle has a generator drivable by a vehicle user to generate electricity, and at least one electric motor for driving the vehicle, which is connected to the generator for transmitting electric power. In particular, between a pedal crank for driving the generator and the generator, a step-up gear is provided for a higher speed, the gear being a planetary gear, which is preferably housed at least partially inside the generator.

The invention is based on the object of creating a drive system of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized by a simple retrofit option for an optional detection device.

This object is achieved by a drive system having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 10. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims, the following description and/or the attached figures.

The subject matter of the invention is a drive system which is designed and/or suitable for a human-powered vehicle, in particular a motor-assisted vehicle. In particular, the vehicle is designed as an electric bicycle, also known as a pedelec. In principle, the bicycle can have exactly two wheels. Alternatively, however, the vehicle can also have more than two wheels, in particular exactly three or four wheels.

The drive system has a generator module which is designed and/or suitable for generating electrical energy for a drive module. The generator module is in particular designed separately from the drive module. For this purpose, the generator module has a generator that can be driven by a vehicle user by pedaling. In particular, the generator generates electrical power which results from the torques and speeds applied to the generator. Preferably, the vehicle user can vary the size of the electrical power depending on the pedaling force or pedaling frequency. Particularly preferably, the generator is not designed to operate as a drive motor and/or can run exclusively in generator mode. Alternatively, the generator can be operated by an electric motor, e.g. to bring the cranks into a certain position. The generator module preferably has a stator and a rotor.

The generator module has a pedal crankshaft, which is designed and/or suitable for transmitting the pedaling force to the generator. In particular, a pedal crank is arranged at each end of the pedal crankshaft, via which the pedaling force is introduced into the pedal crankshaft. The pedal crankshaft is preferably geared to the generator so that the drive torque can be transmitted to the generator in order to generate the electrical energy and/or electrical power. In particular, the pedal crankshaft is rotatably mounted in the generator module. The pedal crankshaft preferably defines an axis of rotation of the generator module with its axis of rotation. The crankshaft runs continuously from one crank to the other crank.

The drive system optionally has the drive module for generating an electric drive torque. The drive module preferably includes at least one electric motor, which converts electrical energy into an electrical drive torque. In this case, the drive module, in particular the electric motor, can be and/or is connected in terms of drive technology to at least or precisely one drive wheel of the vehicle. In principle, the drive module is designed as a wheel hub drive, which is integrated into the drive wheel of the vehicle. Alternatively, however, the drive module can also be arranged outside of the drive wheel and/or can serve as a central drive motor for one or more drive wheels. Basically, the drive wheel is designed as a rear wheel of the vehicle. Alternatively, however, the drive wheel can also be designed as a front wheel of the vehicle.

The drive system has an electronics unit which converts and/or distributes the electrical energy between the generator module and the drive module and/or an energy storage module is designed and/or suitable. For example, for this purpose the electronics unit can be in the form of power electronics or can include them. Optionally, the electronics unit has the function of controlling and/or regulating the drive torque and/or a drive speed of the drive module as a function of the pedaling force and/or the pedaling frequency on the pedal crankshaft.

The drive system has a control unit which is designed and/or suitable for monitoring, in particular for controlling and/or regulating, the generator module, in particular the generator. In particular, the control unit controls a counter-torque and/or a counter-force to the drive torque or the pedaling force, so that a vehicle user is provided with a driving experience that corresponds to the situation. The control unit is designed, for example, as a digital data processing device, such as a microcontroller. For example, it is possible for different virtual gears to be implemented via the control unit, with a small gear having a smaller counter-torque and/or counter-force and a larger gear having a larger counter-torque and/or counter-force. The gears can be stepped or steplessly selected, such as in a virtual automatic transmission. The generator module, in particular the control unit, can optionally have a man-machine interface, so that the vehicle user can initiate appropriate control instructions for gear selection. It is also possible for the counterforce and/or the countertorque to be set by the control unit according to other criteria.

The drive system has at least or precisely one connection cable which is designed and/or suitable for connecting the electronics unit to the control unit of the generator module. In particular, the connection cable serves to transmit electrical energy and/or to transmit data and/or signals. A bidirectional transmission path, ie from the electronics unit to the control unit and from the control unit to the electronics unit, is particularly preferably implemented by the connection cable. In other words, the electronics unit and the control unit are electrically and/or data-connected to one another via the connecting cable.

The invention provides that the connecting cable is designed and/or suitable for connecting a detection device. The detection device serves to detect a movement and/or position of at least or precisely one of the pedal cranks. In particular, the detection device is designed to measure the angle and/or crank position and/or rotational frequency and/or to measure the torque of the crank. The connection cable is preferably designed in such a way that the detection device can be and/or is connected to the control unit and/or the electronics unit via the connection cable outside of the generator module. The measured variables recorded by the recording device are preferably forwarded as sensor data via the connection cable and thus in a cable-bound manner to the control unit for further data processing. For this purpose, the connection cable has at least one signal or data conductor for the signal or data transmission of the sensor data. Optionally, the connection cable can have at least one supply conductor for supplying the detection device with electrical energy.

Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that the control unit is designed to implement further functionalities based on the sensor data of the detection device and/or to further process the sensor data in terms of data technology. In particular, it is provided that the sensor data are taken into account when checking the generator module. In particular, the control unit has an evaluation module which is designed and/or suitable for evaluating the sensor data. In principle, the evaluation module can be designed as a hardware module. However, the evaluation module is preferably designed as a software module, in particular a software program. For example, the software module is installed on an arithmetic unit, a processor or a microchip or can be installed as part of an update when the detection device is connected. For example, the evaluation module is designed to determine a current rotation angle and/or position and/or rotation frequency and/or torque of the crank or the pedal crankshaft on the basis of the sensor data. Alternatively or optionally in addition, the evaluation module is designed to derive information about a current pedaling force, cadence, performance data, status data, etc. on the basis of the sensor data. The control unit optionally has a control module, the control module being designed to generate a control signal based on the sensor data or on the basis of the sensor data evaluated by the evaluation module, with the generator generating the counter-torque and/or the counter-force, for example, on the basis of the control signal.

The invention is based on the knowledge that, for reasons of cost, a saved sensor system (detection device) for detecting the movement and/or position of the pedal crank, in particular a crank angle, has hitherto been dispensed with. For the basic operating software, the detection of the (internal) rotor angle of the generator, eg for commutation, is sufficient. If further comfort functions are to be made available, a corresponding separate sensor system is required. Usually, the sensor system for all construction variants can be provided internally, ie within the generator module, regardless of whether the comfort functions are actually ordered. This means that all variants are correspondingly more expensive.

The advantage of the invention is that a possibility has been found of offering the drive system in a basic configuration without a detection device, but an option or retrofitting of a detection device is made possible by connection via the connecting cable. By connecting via the connection cable, the detection device can also be connected simply and easily outside of the generator module without having to open the generator module. In this way, extensions and/or improvements to the detection device can also easily be implemented without having to change the generator module for this purpose. A further advantage is that a particularly simple exchange or a particularly simple integration of the detection device into an existing drive system can be implemented via the connection cable.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the detection device has at least or precisely one sensor which is and/or can be arranged opposite the crankshaft. In particular, the sensor is designed and/or suitable for contactless detection of the movement and/or position of the pedal crank. The sensor can be designed as an absolute encoder or as an incremental encoder. The sensor is preferably designed as a rotary encoder. In particular, the sensor is arranged in a stationary manner on the generator module and/or a frame of the vehicle. More specifically, the sensor remains stationary as the crank rotates about the axis of rotation of the crankshaft.

According to this embodiment, it is provided that the detection device has a sensor cable, wherein the at least one sensor can be and/or is connected to the connection cable via the sensor cable. In particular, the sensor is connected to the connection cable via the sensor cable in terms of data technology and/or supply technology. For example, the sensor cable can be connected via a connection interface of the electronics unit or the control unit, for example a bus interface, specifically a CAN bus interface. By connecting the sensor via the sensor cable, reliable data transmission can be ensured, with the sensor being able to be arranged flexibly on the vehicle at the same time.

In a further development it is provided that the detection device has at least or exactly one target element that can be detected by the sensor and that is designed and/or suitable for arrangement on the pedal crank. In particular, the target element is arranged on the crank such that it can rotate about the axis of rotation. For example, the target element can be fastened to the crank in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting and/or cohesive manner. The target element is preferably formed from an electrically conductive and/or magnetic and/or magnetizable material. The sensor is preferably designed to detect the movement and/or the position of the target element inductively or magnetically or optically or acoustically. A particularly reliable detection of the pedal crank or its movement and/or position can thus be realized by the target element.

In a further specific embodiment, it is provided that the connecting cable is connected to the electronics unit and the control unit via a plug connection. The plug connection is formed from an electronics-side contact element and from a module-side contact element designed to complement the electronics-side contact element. In other words, one contact element is in the form of a male plug-in part and the other contact element is in the form of a female receiving part. On the electronics side, this means that the contact element on the electronics side is assigned to the electronics unit. Module-side means that the module-side contact element is assigned to the generator module. In principle, either the contact element on the electronics side or the contact element on the module side can be designed as a socket for fixed installation in a housing. However, the two contact elements are preferably each arranged at one end of the cable. The connection cable is preferably divided into two cable halves via the plug connection, with one cable half being connected to the electronics unit as an electronic cable and the other cable half being connected to the generator module, in particular the control unit, as a module cable.

According to this embodiment, it is provided that the plug connection is designed and/or suitable for connecting the detection device, in particular the sensor cable. In principle, the plug connection can have an additional slot for the sensor cable. However, the sensor cable is preferably interposed by disconnecting the plug connection. The plug connection has a corresponding pin which are used to connect one or more sensors or sensor cables. Accordingly, the corresponding conductors (supply voltage, CAN signals) are looped into the connection cable of the electronic unit and/or the generator module. The plug connection is particularly preferably arranged outside the generator module and/or accessible from the outside. A possibility of retrofitting is thus created, with a particularly simple subsequent assembly of the detection device being made possible at the same time. By connecting via the plug connection, the hardware effort and costs can be significantly reduced.

In a specific implementation, it is provided that the detection device has a sensor adapter. In particular, the sensor adapter is arranged at the end of the sensor cable. The sensor adapter has a first contact element complementary to the electronics-side contact element and a second contact element complementary to the module-side contact element, so that the sensor adapter can be and/or is connected to the two contact elements to form the plug connection. In particular, the sensor adapter is connected to the two contact elements by disconnecting the plug connection. In principle, the sensor adapter can be permanently connected to the sensor cable. Alternatively, the sensor adapter can be designed as a separate component, with the sensor cable being and/or being connectable to the sensor adapter via a further plug connection. A drive system is thus proposed which is characterized by a particularly simple integration or a particularly simple connection of the detection device via the plug connection.

In a first possible embodiment, it is provided that the sensor adapter has an adapter cable, with the first and the second contact element being connected to one another via the adapter cable. In particular, the two contact elements of the sensor adapter are designed as plugs and couplings arranged at the cable ends. The adapter cable preferably has all the conductors of the connection cable, with the conductors for the at least one sensor cable also being looped in. In particular, the adapter cable and the sensor cable are connected to the connection cable via the first or the second contact element. In other words, the connecting cable or its conductor separates into the connecting cable and the sensor cable at the first or second contact element. The adapter cable proposes a particularly flexible and cost-effective embodiment of the sensor adapter.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the sensor adapter is designed as an intermediate plug comprising the first and the second contact element. The intermediate plug preferably has the same pin assignment as the two contact elements. In particular, the intermediate plug can be inserted between the two contact elements, with the sensor cable being and/or being connectable via the intermediate plug. The intermediate plug is preferably fixedly mounted on the end of the sensor cable. A particularly compact connection of the detection device is thus proposed.

In a further implementation, it is provided that the drive system has a retrofit kit, with the retrofit kit having the detection device, in particular the sensor, the sensor cable and optionally the target element, which in an assembled state are connected to the electronics unit and/or the control unit via the connection cable . In particular, the detection device is connected to the control unit, in particular the evaluation module, at least in terms of signaling via the connection cable in the assembled state. Optionally, the detection device, in particular the sensor, is connected to the electronics unit and/or the control unit via the sensor cable and the connection cable in terms of supply, in particular electrically. Optionally, the detection device of the retrofit kit can have at least or precisely one additional sensor, the at least one additional sensor being and/or being connectable to the connection cable via the sensor cable or an additional sensor cable, in particular via the plug connection.

In a further specific implementation, it is provided that the generator module has a housing which is designed and/or suitable for accommodating the generator. The housing preferably has a cylindrical installation space for accommodating the generator. Particularly preferably, the generator and the pedal crankshaft and, optionally, a transmission device are arranged coaxially in the housing, in particular the receiving space. In particular, the housing is cylindrical or designed as a cylinder housing. The control unit is arranged inside the housing and is connected to the connection cable via a connection interface arranged on the housing. In particular, the control unit is arranged on a control circuit board (PCB) arranged inside the housing. For example, the control unit can be soldered or plugged onto the control circuit board. The connection interface can optionally be arranged on the circuit board, with the connection interface being connected to the control unit via at least one on the control circuit board printed trace is connected. Provision is particularly preferably made for the control circuit board to extend in a radial plane to the pedal crankshaft or the axis of rotation. In particular, the control circuit board and thus the control unit are arranged in a dry room, in particular separate from a generator and/or gear room. In principle, the connection interface can be formed by the module-side contact element, so that the plug connection is formed directly on the housing of the generator module. However, the connection interface is preferably connected to the module-side contact element via a separate, in particular module-side connecting cable. A generator module is thus proposed which is characterized by a simple connection and a particularly compact design.

• - die Erfassungseinrichtung zur Erfassung der Bewegung und/oder Lage einer der Tretkurbeln montiert wird;
• - die Erfassungseinrichtung über das Anschlusskabel zumindest übertragungstechnisch, vorzugsweise datentechnisch, mit einer Kontrolleinheit verbunden wird, um die erfasste Bewegung und/oder Lage der Tretkurbel der Kontrolleinheit als Sensordaten bereitzustellen;
• - die Kontrolleinheit basierend auf den Sensordaten der Erfassungseinrichtung weitere Funktionalitäten umsetzt und/oder die Sensordaten datentechnisch weiterverarbeitet.

Another subject matter of the invention relates to a method for retrofitting the detection device in the drive system, as already described above, in which:

• - the detection device for detecting the movement and/or position of one of the pedal cranks is mounted;
• - The detection device is connected via the connection cable at least in terms of transmission technology, preferably data technology, to a control unit in order to provide the detected movement and/or position of the pedal crank to the control unit as sensor data;
• - the control unit implements further functionalities based on the sensor data of the detection device and/or further processes the sensor data in terms of data technology.

In particular, the sensor is fixed opposite one of the pedal cranks, in particular on the housing of the generator module or the frame of the vehicle. Optionally, the target element can be mounted on the pedal crank, in particular opposite to the sensor. The sensor cable is connected via the plug connection. For this purpose, the sensor adapter, in particular the adapter cable or the intermediate plug, is interposed by separating the plug connection. In this case, the two contact elements of the sensor adapter are connected to the respectively associated contact element, in particular plugged into one another. In a possible intermediate step, the evaluation module designed as a software module can be installed or flashed. When the vehicle is in operation, a movement and/or position of the pedal crank is detected by the sensor and transmitted as sensor data to the control unit, in particular the evaluation module. Based on the sensor data, the evaluation module can determine, for example, a rotation angle, an (angular) position, a rotation frequency or the like of the crank, which in turn are made available for further processing by the control unit, in particular a control module, and/or for implementing further functionalities.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs mit einem Antriebssystem;
• 2 eine schematische Blockdarstellung des Antriebssystems;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung des Antriebssystems mit einer Basisausstattung;
• 4 in gleicher Darstellung wie 3 das Antriebssystem mit einer nachgerüsteten Sensorik;
• 5 in gleicher Darstellung wie 4 das Antriebssystem mit der nachgerüsteten Sensorik in einer alternativen Ausführung;

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention and the attached figures. show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a drive system;
• 2 a schematic block diagram of the drive system;
• 3 a schematic representation of the drive system with basic equipment;
• 4 in the same representation as 3 the drive system with retrofitted sensors;
• 5 in the same representation as 4 the drive system with the retrofitted sensors in an alternative version;

1 shows a muscle-powered vehicle 1 in a greatly simplified representation. The vehicle 1 is designed as a bicycle, in particular a pedelec, which is essentially formed from a frame 2 and a front wheel 3 and a rear wheel 4 .

The vehicle 1 has a drive system 5, the drive system 5 being designed and/or suitable for driving the rear wheel 4. The rear wheel 4 thus forms a drive wheel of the vehicle 1, with the front wheel 3 remaining unpowered. Optionally, however, it can also be provided that the front wheel 3 is driven.

The drive system includes a generator module 6, a drive module 7 and an energy storage module 8. The generator module 6 is arranged in the area of the bottom bracket and can be driven by a vehicle user by pedaling power in order to generate electrical energy for the drive module 7. For this purpose, the generator module 6 has two pedal cranks 9 arranged diametrically opposite one another, which are set in rotation by pedaling force in order to generate electrical power in the generator module 6 .

The drive system 5 also has an electronics unit 10, via which the generator module 6, the drive module 7, the energy store 8 and optionally a consumer 11 are electrically connected to one another via one or more connection cables 12. The vehicle 1 has no mechanical drive connection between the pedal cranks 9 and the drive wheel 4 . The Gene The generator module 6 is only electrically connected to the drive module 7 and/or the energy storage module 8 and/or the load 11 via the connection cable 12 or the electronics unit 10 in order to provide the electrical energy required for the drive module 7 . The drive module 7 can be designed, for example, as a wheel hub motor that is integrated into the rear wheel 4 and transmits an electrical drive torque to the rear wheel 4 . The drive module 7 can be supplied directly by the electrical energy generated by the generator module 6 or indirectly by the electrical energy stored in the energy storage module 8 . The energy storage module 8 can be fed by the generator module 6 while driving and can also be charged from an external power source. The electrical energy provided by the generator module 6 can optionally be made available to the consumer 11, for example a light.

The 2 shows the drive system 5 in a highly schematic block diagram. The electronic unit 10 is embodied, for example, as power electronics, which essentially serves to distribute and convert the electrical energy between the generator module 6 , the drive module 7 and the energy storage module 8 .

The generator module 6 has a pedal crankshaft 13 which defines an axis of rotation 100 with its axis of rotation. In an installation situation, the pedal cranks 9 are mounted on the end of the pedal crankshaft 13 . The generator module 6 also has a generator 14 and a control unit 15 which are accommodated together in a housing 16 . Optionally, the generator module 6 can include a transmission device, not shown, which is used to transfer a pedaling torque introduced into the pedal crankshaft 13 to the generator 14 . For example, the transmission device is designed as an eccentric transmission, which is arranged coaxially to the generator 14 and the pedal crankshaft 13 with respect to the axis of rotation 100 .

The pedal crankshaft 13 is guided through the housing 16 coaxially to the axis of rotation 100 and can, for example, be mounted rotatably relative to the housing 16 via one or more bearing devices, not shown.

The control unit 15 is also arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation 100 and can be arranged, for example, on a circular or annular control circuit board (PCB), not shown. For example, the control unit 15 can include a large number of electrical components, for example for implementing additional power electronics.

The drive system 5 also has a detection device 17, which is used to detect a movement and/or position of one of the pedal cranks 9 and provides it as sensor data. The detection device 17 essentially comprises a sensor 18, which is connected to the connection cable 12 via a sensor cable 19, the connection cable 12 in turn connecting the electronic unit 10 and the control unit 15 at least electrically to one another. For this purpose, the connection cable 12 comprises one or more supply conductors for the electrical connection of the generator module 6 to the electronics unit 10 . In addition, the connection cable 12 has at least one signal conductor for the signal or data connection of the sensor 18 to the control unit 15 .

The sensor 18 has the function of detecting an angle of rotation and/or an angular position of the crank 9 . Alternatively or optionally in addition, the sensor 18 can also record the input drive torque as a measured variable. The sensor 18 is connected to the control unit 15 via the sensor cable 19 in terms of signals or data, so that the measured variables can be transmitted to the control unit 15 as sensor data by cable.

The control unit 15 has an evaluation module 20 which is designed and/or suitable for evaluating the sensor data, in particular the detected movement and/or position of the pedal crank 9 . The evaluation module 20 is designed, for example, as a software module installed on a microchip or processor. For example, the evaluation module 20 can determine a speed, a cadence, a crank position etc. of the crank 9 or the pedal crankshaft 13 on the basis of the sensor data and provide it as crank data for further data processing.

The control unit 15 has a control module 21 which is designed to control and/or regulate the generator 14 on the basis of the crank data. For example, the control module 21 is designed to derive and implement a control strategy for the generator 14 on the basis of the crank data or a selection of the crank data. For example, a counterforce and/or a countertorque on generator 14 can be adjusted on the basis of the crank data.

3 shows a basic equipment of the drive system 5 in a schematic representation. The connection cable 12 is connected to the electronics unit 10 and to the generator module 6 by means of an electronics cable 22 senes module cable 23 formed, which are connected to each other via a plug connection 24 electrically and signal or data technology. The plug connection 24 has an electronics-side contact element 25 and a module-side contact element 26, one contact element 25, 26 being designed as a male plug-in part and the other contact element 25, 26 as a female receiving part, which are connected to one another by plugging in to form the plug connection 24 .

The generator module 6 has a connection interface 27 which is used to connect the module cable 23 to the generator module 6 . The connection interface 27 is formed, for example, as a socket permanently installed on the housing 16, via which the module cable 23 is connected to a plug arranged at the end to form a further plug connection. The connection interface 27 is in turn connected to the control unit 15 electrically and in terms of signals and data.

4 shows in the same representation as 3 a drive system 5 expanded with the detection device 17 as a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this case, it is proposed to arrange the sensor 18 required for additional functions, for example a crank angle sensor or a crank angle position sensor, outside of the housing 6 opposite one of the pedal cranks 9 . In principle, the element designated as sensor 18 can also consist of several individual sensors or the detection device 17 can have at least one further sensor, not shown, which is used, for example, to detect the other pedal crank 9 . The sensor 18 is stationary relative to the pedal crank 9 on the housing 16 or the frame 2 of the vehicle 1, as in FIG 1 described, attached. The sensor 18 is arranged opposite the pedal crank 9 and remains stationary when the pedal crank 9 rotates.

The sensor 18 is designed to detect a movement and/or a position of the crank without contact. Depending on the sensor principle, the detection device 17 can optionally have a target element 28 which is mounted on the pedal crank 9 and can be detected by the sensor 18 . Depending on which sensor principle is used and how precisely the movement and/or position of the pedal crank 9 is to be recorded or resolved for the desired functions, the target element 28 can be designed as a magnet, a magnetic disk, a degree disk or the like.

To connect the sensor cable 19 to the connection cable 12 , the detection device 17 has a sensor adapter 29 which connects the sensor cable 19 to the connection cable 12 electrically and in terms of signals and data via the plug connection 24 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensor adapter 29 has an adapter cable 30 with a first and second contact element 31, 32 arranged at the end. The first contact element 31 is designed to be complementary to the contact element 25 on the electronics side and the second contact element 32 is designed to be complementary to the contact element 26 on the module side. In this case, the sensor cable 19 is connected to the second contact element 32 so that the sensor data recorded by the sensor 18 are transmitted via the sensor cable 19 and the module cable 23 to the control unit 15 of the generator module 6 by cable. For this purpose, the plug connection 29 or the contact elements 25, 26 additionally have pins required for the sensor assignment, which are not assigned in the basic equipment. Optionally, the sensor 18 can tap the supply voltage required for the sensor 18 via the adapter cable 30 and the first contact element 31 from the electronics unit 10 or via the second contact element 31 from the generator module 6 .

When retrofitting the detection device 17, the plug connection 24, as in 3 shown, are separated outside of the generator module 6 and the sensor adapter 29 between the two contact elements 25, 26 are connected. It is thus possible to loop the sensor 18 outside of the generator module 6 into the connection cable 12 (supply voltage, CAN signals), with only the evaluation module 20 having to be implemented as software (option) in all construction variants. This minimizes the hardware outlay and the costs for retrofitting. In addition, the sensor 18 can be positioned very flexibly at a suitable point due to the thin sensor cable 19 . It is also possible to retrofit “old” or existing generator modules, with the modified or extended evaluation module 15 required for this being able to be flashed during installation, so that the generator module 6 does not have to be opened for this either. A further advantage is that the detection device 17, for example the sensor 18, the sensor cable 19 and/or the sensor adapter 29, can be easily replaced in the event of damage due to the connection via the plug connection 24. In this way, extensions and improvements to the sensor adapter 29 can also be easily implemented without having to change the generator module 6 for this purpose.

5 shows in the same representation as 4 a drive system 5 expanded with the detection device 17 with an alternative embodiment of the sensor adapter 29 as a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The sensor adapter 29 is designed as an intermediate plug 33 which comprises the first and the second contact element 31, 32 and which is arranged at the end on the sensor cable 19. As already described above, the intermediate plug 33 is connected or plugged in by disconnecting the plug connection 29 between the two contact elements 25, 26. A sensor adapter 29 is thus proposed which is distinguished by a significantly more compact design.

Reference List

1

vehicle

2

Frame

3

front wheel

4

rear wheel

5

drive system

6

generator module

7

drive module

8th

energy storage

9

crank

10

electronics unit

11

consumer

12

connection cable

13

pedal crankshaft

14

generator

15

control unit

16

Housing

17

detection device

18

sensor

19

sensor cable

20

evaluation module

21

control module

22

electronics cable

23

module cable

24

plug connection

25

contact element

26

contact element

27

connection interface

28

target element

29

sensor adapter

30

adapter cable

31

first contact element

32

second contact element

33

adapter plug

100

axis of rotation

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 19600698 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Drive system (5) for a human-powered vehicle (1), with a generator module (6) for generating electrical energy for a drive module (7), the generator module (6) having a generator (14) which can be driven by a vehicle user by pedaling power, and a pedal crankshaft ( 13) for transmitting a pedaling force from a pedal crank (9) to the generator (14), with an electronic unit (10) for converting and/or distributing the electrical energy between the generator module (6) and the drive module (7) and/or an energy storage module (8), with a control unit (15) for controlling the generator module (6), with at least one connection cable (12) for connecting the electronics unit (10) to the control unit (15), characterized in that the connection cable (12) for connecting a detection device (17) for detecting a movement and/or position of at least one of the pedal cranks (9), the control unit (15) being designed to implement further functionalities based on the sensor data of the detection device (17) and/or the to further process sensor data in terms of data technology. Drive system (5) after claim 1 , characterized in that the detection device (17) has at least one sensor (18) which can be arranged opposite the crankshaft (9), the sensor (18) being connectable to the connecting cable (12) via a sensor cable (19). Drive system (5) after claim 2 , characterized in that the detection device (17) has at least one target element (28) that can be detected by the sensor (18), the target element being designed to be arranged on the pedal crank (9). Drive system (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection cable (12) is connected to the control unit (15) and the electronics unit (10) via a plug connection (24), the plug connection (24) consisting of a contact element on the electronics side (25) and a complementary module-side contact element (26), wherein the plug connection (24) is designed to connect the detection device (17). Drive system (5) after claim 4 , characterized in that the detection device (17) has a sensor adapter (29), the sensor adapter (29) having a first contact element (31) complementary to the electronics-side contact element (25) and a second contact element complementary to the module-side contact element (26). (32), so that the sensor adapter (29) can be connected to the two contact elements (25, 26) to form the plug connection (24). Drive system (5) after claim 5 , characterized in that the sensor adapter (29) has an adapter cable (30), the first and the second contact element (31, 32) being connected to one another via the adapter cable (30). Drive system (5) after claim 5 , characterized in that the sensor adapter is designed as an intermediate plug (33) comprising the first and the second contact element (31, 32). Drive system (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a retrofit kit, wherein the retrofit kit has the detection device (17) which, in an assembled state, is connected to the control unit (15) via the connecting cable (12), at least in terms of data technology. Drive system (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator module (6) has a housing (16) for accommodating the generator (14), the control unit (15) being arranged within the housing (16) and connected via a the housing (16) arranged connection interface (27) is connected to the connection cable (12). Method for retrofitting a detection device (17) in a drive system (5) according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - The detection device (17) for detecting the movement and/or position of one of the pedal cranks (9) is mounted; - The detection device (17) is connected via the connection cable (12) to a control unit (15), at least in terms of transmission technology, in order to provide the detected movement and/or position of the pedal crank (9) to the control unit (15) as sensor data; - The control unit (15) implements further functionalities based on the sensor data of the detection device (17) and/or further processes the sensor data in terms of data technology.

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