KR101864714B1 - Method and system for controlling electric bicycle using smart device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric bicycle control method and system using a smart terminal, and more particularly, to an electric bicycle control method using a smart terminal including an operation unit, a tilt measuring unit, a communication unit, and a touch display, Providing a screen for torque control; Receiving the tilt correction value from the occupant of the electric bicycle; Measuring the tilt of the electric bicycle by the tilt measuring unit; Determining a drive torque of the motor of the electric bicycle according to the measured slope and the slope correction value; And transmitting the signal corresponding to the determined driving torque to the electric bicycle through the communication unit. Therefore, the cost of the electric bicycle can be reduced and the electric bicycle can be used smartly by using the smart terminal.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC BICYCLE USING SMART DEVICE [0002]

The disclosed technology relates to a method and system for controlling an electric bicycle using a smart terminal.

Recently, electric bicycles have been widely used for the purpose of leisure activities or for commuting. Generally, an electric bicycle has a battery and a motor. The motor is powered from the battery and delivers drive torque to the wheels. The electric bicycle may include a chain, for example. In this case, the wheels receive drive torque from the motor and pedal. The electric bicycle may not have a chain as another example. In this case, the wheels receive the drive torque from the motor, and the drive torque of the pedal is used to charge the battery.

Electric bicycles have batteries, so you can combine various electronic components. Therefore, it is possible to perform various additional functions. An example of such an electric bicycle is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2014-0139159 entitled " Torque sensor device for electric bicycle ". The electric bicycle according to the related art requires many electronic components such as a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a central control unit, a torque sensor, and a controller. However, these electric bicycles are at a high price.

The disclosed technology is to provide a method and system for controlling an electric bicycle that can be controlled in a user-friendly environment using a smart terminal without forming a high price of a conventional electric bicycle.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of an electric bicycle using a smart terminal including an operation unit, a tilt measuring unit, a communication unit, and a touch display, Wherein the tilt measuring unit measures the tilt of the electric bicycle, the calculating unit calculates the tilt of the electric bicycle and the tilt correction of the electric bicycle, Determining a drive torque of the motor of the electric bicycle in accordance with the value of the driving torque and transmitting the signal corresponding to the determined driving torque to the electric bicycle through the communication unit .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a screen for controlling a driving torque of a motor of an electric bicycle, a tilt correction value is input from a passenger of the electric bicycle, and a slope of the electric bicycle is measured And an electric bicycle control system including the electric bicycle that receives a control signal according to the determined drive torque using a smart terminal and a communication unit that determine the drive torque and controls drive torque of the motor in accordance with the control signal have.

Embodiments of the disclosed technique may have effects that include the following advantages. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the disclosed technology is not to be construed as limited thereby, since the embodiments of the disclosed technology are not meant to include all such embodiments.

A method and system for controlling an electric bicycle using a smart terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology provides an effect of reducing the cost of an electric bicycle using a smart terminal.

In addition, the method and system for controlling an electric bicycle according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology provide various functions according to running of the electric bicycle, so that the electric bicycle can be used smartly.

1 is a perspective view of an electric bicycle control system using a smart terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
2 is a block diagram of an electric bicycle control system using a smart terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an electric bicycle using a smart terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
4 is a view illustrating a screen for driving torque control according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms first, second, A, B, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, but may be used to distinguish one component from another . For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

It is to be understood that the singular < RTI ID = 0.0 > terms < / RTI > used herein should be interpreted to include a plurality of representations unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. And "comprises ", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, Or combinations thereof, as a matter of course.

Before describing the drawings in detail, it is to be clarified that the division of constituent parts in this specification is merely a division by main functions of each constituent part. That is, two or more constituent parts to be described below may be combined into one constituent part, or one constituent part may be divided into two or more functions according to functions that are more subdivided.

In addition, each of the constituent units described below may additionally perform some or all of the functions of other constituent units in addition to the main functions of the constituent units themselves, and that some of the main functions, And may be carried out in a dedicated manner. Accordingly, the presence or absence of each component described in this specification should be interpreted as a function.

1 is a perspective view of an electric bicycle control system using a smart terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. And Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the electric bicycle control system disclosed in Fig. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric bicycle control system using a smart terminal includes a smart terminal 110 and an electric bicycle 120.

The smart terminal 110 may be, for example, a smart phone or a smart pad. The smart terminal 110 includes an operation unit 110a, a touch display 110b, a communication unit 110c, and a tilt measurement unit 110d.

The computing unit 110a may be, for example, an application processor. The operation unit 110a controls the touch display 110b, the communication unit 110c and the tilt measurement unit 110d and receives signals sensed by the touch display 110b and the tilt measurement unit 110d. The operation unit 110a controls the electric bicycle 120 through the communication unit 110c or receives a signal from the electric bicycle 120. [ In one embodiment, the driving torque for the motor 120c of the electric bicycle 120 may be determined and transmitted to the electric bicycle 120 or may be transmitted from the electric bicycle 120 to the remaining battery power. The calculation unit 110a also performs an operation for setting a value for the drive torque of the motor 120c.

The touch display 110b displays various information to the passenger of the electric bicycle 120 and receives a signal according to the control of the electric bicycle 120 from the passenger. 4, a screen for controlling the driving torque may be provided to the passenger through the touch display 110b, and a signal for adjusting the reference torque value or the slope correction value may be received from the passenger .

The communication unit 110c performs communication between the smart terminal 110 and the electric bicycle 120. [ For example, the communication unit 110c may include at least one of a USB module, a Wi-Fi module, and a Bluetooth module. It is possible to charge the smart terminal 110 using the battery 120d of the electric bicycle 120 when the USB module is used. The communication unit 110c transmits a signal indicating the driving torque determined by the smart terminal 110 to the electric bicycle 120. [

The tilt measuring unit 110d may include, for example, an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor. The inclination of the electric bicycle 120 can be measured using an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

The electric bicycle 120 includes a communication unit 120a, a control unit 120b, a motor 120c, and a battery 120d. The communication unit 120a performs communication between the electric bicycle 120 and the smart terminal 110. [ For example, the communication unit 120a may use at least one of a USB module, a Wi-Fi module, and a Bluetooth module. The communication unit 120a of the electric bicycle 120 is connected to the communication unit 110c of the smart terminal 110. If the communication unit 120a is connected to the communication unit 110c of the smart terminal 110 through the USB module, It is possible to charge the battery.

The control unit 120b controls the motor 120c and the communication unit 120a and receives the battery remaining amount signal from the battery 120d. The control unit 120b communicates with the smart terminal 110 through the communication unit 120a. In one embodiment, the control unit 120b may be a controller or a processor that electronically controls the electric bicycle 120. [

The motor 120c transmits the drive torque to the wheels of the electric bicycle 120. [ The magnitude of the drive torque is controlled in accordance with the drive torque control signal transmitted from the control section 120b. In one embodiment, the motor 120c may increase or decrease the output torque value in accordance with the drive torque control signal.

The battery 120d transfers electric power required for driving the motor 120c to the motor 120c. The battery 120d assists the force that the occupant of the electric bicycle 120 generates by turning the pedal. The remaining battery level signal indicating the remaining battery level is transmitted to the controller 120b. Meanwhile, the battery 120d may be a removable type that can be charged. For example, after the use of the electric bicycle is completed, it may be detached, charged in the house or office, and reattached when in use.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the drive torque of the motor 120c in the electric bicycle control system disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 to 3, an electric bicycle control method includes the following steps.

In step 310, the smart terminal 110 provides a screen for controlling the driving torque of the electric bicycle 120 to the passenger of the electric bicycle 120. For example, the operation unit 110a can operate to display an image on the touch display 110b for executing the application and controlling the drive torque.

An example of a screen for controlling the drive torque is shown in Fig. 4, the screen includes regions 410a, 410b and 410c for controlling a reference torque value, regions 420a, 420b and 420c for controlling a tilt correction value, and an area 430 for setting an angle do. The regions 410a, 410b, and 410c for controlling the reference torque value include an area 410a for selecting an increase in the reference torque value, an area 410b for selecting a reduction in the reference torque value, (410c). The regions 420a, 420b, and 420c for controlling the tilt correction values include an area 420a for selecting the increase of the tilt correction value, an area 420b for selecting the reduction of the tilt correction value, (420c).

In step 320, the smart terminal 110 receives the reference torque value and the slope correction value from the passenger of the electric bicycle 120 using the touch display 110b. In one embodiment, the rider of the electric bicycle 120 can change the reference torque value by touching the area 410a where the user selects the increase of the reference torque value or by touching the area 410b where the reduction of the reference torque value is selected . The changed reference torque value is displayed in an area 410c that displays the selected reference torque value. Although the reference torque value is displayed using a plurality of bars in the figure, the reference torque value may be displayed in a numeric or other format.

Here, the reference torque value means a driving torque transmitted from the motor 120c to the wheel when the electric bicycle 120 is running on a flat surface. Depending on the type of the electric bicycle 120, while the electric bicycle continues to run on the ground, the motor 120c continues to transmit the drive torque corresponding to the reference torque value to the wheel, and the other electric bicycle The motor 120c transmits the drive torque corresponding to the reference torque value to the wheels. For example, the number of bars displayed in black in the region 410c for displaying the reference torque value may have a proportional relationship with the reference torque value. In this case, when the number of black bars is doubled, the value of the reference torque also doubles. As another example, the number of bars indicated by black and the value of the reference torque may have an exponential function relationship or may have a predetermined other functional relationship.

In one embodiment, the passenger of the electric bicycle 120 can change the tilt correction value by touching the area 420a for selecting the increase of the tilt correction value or touching the area 420b for selecting the reduction of the tilt correction value . The changed tilt correction value is displayed in the area 420c for displaying the selected tilt correction value. In the drawing, the tilt correction values are displayed using a plurality of bars, but unlike the drawing, the tilt correction values can be displayed in numbers or in other formats.

Here, the tilt correction value means an increase or decrease in the driving torque transmitted to the wheel by the motor 120c as the inclination increases or decreases when the electric bicycle 120 runs on an inclined surface (uphill or downhill). If the tilt correction value is increased, the driving torque is greatly changed even if the inclination slightly changes. Also, if the tilt correction value is decreased, the driving torque slightly changes even if the inclination is changed a lot. For example, the number of bars indicated by black in the area 420c for displaying the tilt correction value may be proportional to the tilt correction value. In this case, if the number of black bars is doubled, the tilt correction value is doubled. As another example, the number of bars indicated by black and the slope correction value may have an exponential function relationship or may have other predetermined function relationships.

In one embodiment, the smart terminal 110 may be tilted at different angles to the tilt of the electric bicycle 120. [ That is, even if the electric bicycle 120 is on a flat surface which is not tilted, the smart terminal 110 can maintain a certain degree of inclination. When the smart terminal 110 is connected to the electric bicycle 120 at a predetermined angle, the occupant can more easily see and touch the touch display 110b while driving.

The angle between the smart terminal 110 and the electric bicycle 120 needs to be corrected in the tilt measurement. The angle between the smart terminal 110 and the electric bicycle 120 can be corrected by various methods. For example, when the passenger touches the angle setting unit 430 displayed on the touch display 110b when the electric bicycle 120 is located on the flat ground, the calculating unit 110a or the tilt measuring unit 110d sets the angle at this time to 0 degrees (Flat). That is, the actual measured inclination is referred to as EBG1 when the angle setting unit 430 is touched, EBG2 is the actually measured inclination while the electric bicycle 120 is running, and EBG is the measured inclination to be obtained, EBG = EBG2-EBG1.

In another example, the long-term average measured angle is considered as 0 degree (flat). That is, the average slope measured over a long period of time is referred to as EBG1, the actual measured slope during running of the electric bicycle 120 is referred to as EBG2, and the measured slope to be obtained as EBG is EBG = EBG2-EBG1. Here, the long term may be, for example, several hours or several tens of hours.

In step 330, the smart terminal 110 measures the inclination of the electric bicycle 120. Preferably, the measured slope is a slope corrected for the angle between the smart terminal 110 and the electric bicycle 120 as described above. The slope has a value of zero when the electric bicycle 120 is located on a flat surface, a positive value when it is located on the uphill, and a negative value when it is located on the downhill.

In step 340, the smart terminal 110 determines the driving torque of the motor 120c of the electric bicycle 120 according to the slope measured in step 330 and the reference torque value and the slope correction value received from the passenger through step 320 do. For example, in step 340, the driving torque may be determined according to the following equation (1).

In Equation (1), MDT denotes a driving torque of the motor 120c, FDT denotes a reference torque value input by an occupant, GCS denotes a tilt correction value, and EBG denotes a measured tilt. Where EBG is calculated as a positive number (| EBG |) or a negative number (- | EBG |) as the slope is measured up or down. Then, the value of MDT is determined by multiplying GCS by EBG and multiplying the result by the value of FDT.

For example, when the occupant sets the reference torque value FDT to 20 and the inclination correction value GCS to 2, the drive torque MDT value of the motor 120c is calculated in the following manner. In the plain, the value of the slope (EBG) corresponds to zero. Therefore, the drive torque MDT of the motor 120c is equal to the reference torque value FDT, and thus has a value of 20. The slope (EBG) has a positive value at the ascent. When the inclination (EBG) is 5 degrees, the drive torque MDT has a value of 20+ (2 * 5) = 30. The drive torque of the motor 120c can not be increased beyond the threshold value and therefore the threshold value is used as the drive torque MDT when the calculated drive torque MDT is equal to or greater than the threshold value. In the downward slope (EBG), it has a negative value. When the inclination (EBG) is -5 degrees, the drive torque MDT has a value of 20+ (2 * -5) = 10. The drive torque of the motor 120c can not be reduced to 0 or less. Therefore, when the calculated drive torque MDT is 0 or less, 0 is used as the drive torque MDT. Here, when the drive torque MDT is 0, it means that the electric bicycle 120 is operated only by the pedaling force of the occupant.

As an example, let us assume that the slope correction value (GCS) is increased to 4 while maintaining the reference torque value (FDT) at 20. The drive torque MDT has a value of 40 when the tilt EBG is 5 degrees and the drive torque MDT has a value of 0 when the tilt EBG is -5 degrees. That is, when the tilt correction value GCS is increased, the change width of the drive torque MDT due to the change of the tilt EBG is increased. Therefore, if the passenger selects an appropriate tilt correction value GCS in consideration of his / her weight, the weight of the electric bicycle 120, etc., the occupant does not need to change the driving torque every time the tilt EBG is changed.

In step 350, the smart terminal 110 transmits a signal used for the determined driving torque to the electric bicycle 120 using the communication unit 110c. The smart terminal 110 and the electric bicycle 120 are connected to each other by wire or wireless communication as described above. The smart terminal 110 and the electric bicycle 120 are provided with communication units 110c and 120a for communication, Respectively. The smart terminal 110 can transmit a signal corresponding to the determined driving torque to the control unit 120b through its communication unit 110c and the communication unit 120a of the electric bicycle 120 in step 350. [ The controller 120b controls the motor 120c according to the signal corresponding to the determined drive torque, and the motor 120c provides the determined drive torque to the wheels.

Although the method and system for controlling an electric bicycle using a smart terminal according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology have been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings for the sake of understanding, they are merely illustrative and those skilled in the art It will be understood that various modifications and equivalent embodiments may be possible. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the disclosed technology should be determined by the appended claims.

110: smart terminal 110a:
110b: touch display 110c: communication unit
110d: tilt measuring unit 120: electric bicycle
120a: communication unit 120b:
120c: motor 120d: battery
310: Provision of screen 320: Selection of reference torque value and tilt correction value
330: Tilt measurement 340: Determination of drive torque
341: tilt calculation 342: uphill driving torque
343: flat drive torque 345: downhill drive torque
410a: Reference torque value increasing area 410b: Reference torque value decreasing area
410c: reference torque value display area 420a: tilt correction value increasing area
420b: tilt correction value reduction area 420c: tilt correction value display area

Claims (5)

A control method of an electric bicycle using a smart terminal including an operation unit, a tilt measuring unit, a communication unit, and a touch display,
The operation unit providing a screen for driving torque control with the touch display;
Receiving the tilt correction value from the occupant of the electric bicycle;
Measuring a tilt of the electric bicycle by the tilt measuring unit;
Determining a drive torque of the motor of the electric bicycle according to the measured slope and the slope correction value; And
And the operation unit transmits a signal corresponding to the determined drive torque to the electric bicycle through the communication unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the screen includes an area for displaying the tilt correction value, an area for selecting the increase of the tilt correction value, and an area for selecting reduction of the tilt correction value. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the touch display receives a reference torque value for the electric bicycle from the occupant in receiving the tilt correction value,
Wherein the driving torque corresponds to a value obtained by multiplying the measured slope by the slope correction value and the reference torque value. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the screen includes an area for displaying the reference torque value, an area for selecting an increase in the reference torque value, and an area for selecting a reduction in the reference torque value. A smart terminal for providing a screen for controlling a driving torque for a motor of an electric bicycle, receiving a tilt correction value from a passenger of the electric bicycle, measuring a slope of the electric bicycle, and determining the driving torque; And
And the electric bicycle receives the control signal in accordance with the determined driving torque using the communication unit communicating with the smart terminal and controls the driving torque of the motor in accordance with the control signal.

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