US5603388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric powered bicycle
Assignee: Riken Corp
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Filing: 1995-09-22
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Granted: 1997-02-18
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Expires: 2015-09-22
Abstract
Abstract An electric powered bicycle having a dip sensor or switch and/or a gradient sensor or switch. The bicycle has front and rear wheels each rotatably supported by a frame; a chain slung between the wheels and a chainset for transferring manual power to the wheels; an electric motor coupled to one of the wheels for driving the wheel directly; and a power supply capable of supplying electric power to the motor. The dip gradient sensors are associated with a pulse width modulation circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Yaguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:39
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M6/00; B62M6/40; B62M6/45; B60; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/50; B60L50/52; B60L50/53; B62M6/55; B62M6/60; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/12; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An electric powered bicycle comprising: front and rear wheels rotatably supported by a frame of the bicycle; a chain for transferring a manual power to one of said wheels via a pedal; a DC motor for driving said rear wheel to provide an auxiliary power source; a power supply capable of supplying voltage to said DC motor; gradient means mounted on said frame and activated when said frame is inclined relative to a horizontal line; and a control circuit for controlling the voltage supplied to said DC motor from said power supply based on a signal from said gradient means, said control circuit comprising: a power transistor for controlling the voltage supplied to said DC motor; a detection transistor for detecting an induced voltage generated between brushes of said DC motor upon the rotation of said bicycle to turn on said power transistor; and a pulse generator for periodically turning off said detection transistor, said gradient sensor being activated to turn off said detection transistor when the gradient of said frame exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An electric powered bicycle comprising: front and rear wheels rotatably supported by a frame of the bicycle; a chain for transferring a manual power to one of said wheels via a pedal; a DC motor for driving said rear wheel to provide an auxiliary power source; a power supply capable of supplying voltage to said DC motor; gradient means mounted on said frame and activated when said frame is inclined relative to a horizontal line; and a control circuit for controlling the voltage supplied to said DC motor from said power supply based on a signal from said gradient means, said control circuit comprising: a power transistor for controlling the voltage supplied to said DC motor; a detection transistor for detecting an induced voltage generated between brushes of said DC motor upon the rotation of said bicycle to turn on said power transistor; and a pulse generator for periodically turning off said detection transistor, said gradient sensor being activated to turn off said detection transistor when the gradient of said frame exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electric powered bicycle according to claim 1, in which a switch for detecting a dip of said chain is provided on said frame, said control circuit being actuated by turning on said switch that detects the tension of said chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electric powered bicycle according to claim 2, wherein said gradient means includes a gradient sensor for producing an analog gradient signal corresponding to an ascent angle of a road on which the bicycle is travelling and further comprising a PWM control circuit for controlling the voltage supplied to said motor from said power supply based on said analog signal from said gradient sensor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-18 | 2000-08-19 | 2001-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-18 | 2004-08-19 | 2005-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-18 | 2008-08-19 | 2009-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |