DE102015005499A1 - Test bench for bicycles, especially electric bicycles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a test bed for electric bicycles as a structural unit of base frame, drive and control, which provides a way to verifiable determine the real energy needs of an electrically operated bicycle to meet at the end of a statement about the stability and reliability of the electric auxiliary drive, in particular the performance of the entrained bicycle accumulator. The power transmission is designed such that little changes to the test object "bike" itself must be made in order to convert the wheel in an autonomous driving. The human muscle power is replaced by an external drive, and a test run, driven according to a predetermined driving profile. The performance of the system is demonstrably determinable.

Description

The invention relates to a test stand, which checks the functionality and stability of an electric auxiliary drive - preferably used in electrically operated bicycles -.

The purpose of an electric auxiliary drive on the bicycle is to ensure a high availability of pedaling assistance during the entire driving operation.

The invention relates to a test rig as a structural unit of the base frame, drive and control, which provides a way to verifiable determine the real energy needs of an electrically operated bicycle to meet at the end of a statement about the stability and reliability of the electric auxiliary drive can, in particular the performance of the accompanying bicycle accumulator.

Such auxiliary drives have a supporting effect on pedaling and are known by the name "pedelec" or "e-bike". Nevertheless, there are differences which differ substantially in the embodiment of the pedal assistance and in the achievable speeds. "Pedelecs" receive their support via the pedals and up to a speed of max. 25 km / h. "E-Bikes", on the other hand, have a direct drive, which is switched on / off via a switch and can be operated up to a speed of max. 45 km / h supporting effect. E-bikes are therefore legally no longer bicycles, but lightweight mopeds and must therefore carry an insurance mark.

The principle of operation of the kicking force release mechanism is based on two physical quantities, the cadence and the torque. In one case, the change in the cadence of the crank, in the other case, the torque of the crankshaft, triggers the support. Both systems are in use and both systems are powered by an electric motor. The necessary electrical auxiliary energy comes from the entrained accumulator.

State of the art -

• • Patentschrift IPC – B62M 6/45 – DE 10 2011 077 181 A1 ”Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Verschleißerkennung an einem Elektrofahrrad”
• • Patentschrift IPC – G01M 17/007 – AT 512 717 B1 ”Verfahren zur Durchführung eines Prüflaufes auf einem Prüfstand”

Testers for electric bicycles are known by the writings:

• • Patent specification IPC - B62M 6/45 - DE 10 2011 077 181 A1 "Method and device for detecting wear on an electric bicycle"
• • Patent specification IPC - G01M 17/007 - AT 512 717 B1 "Method for carrying out a test run on a test bench"

Unsatisfactory in these devices is that the testing takes place only at the component level. Thus, in the process ( DE 10 2011 077 181 A1 ) with additional sensors, the load of the individual component and in the process ( AT 512 717 B1 ), a test run is simulated using a virtual vehicle on a test bench.

It is therefore an object of the invention to consider the functions not only at the component level, but in the interaction of the components with each other in real operation and in the overall system. Since many components of a bicycle are not fatigue-proof, but are designed only for operation, they must also be regularly maintained. A classic maintenance usually includes only component checks - z. B. the battery at rest - and only in case of failure, the immediate repair of the individual component or its replacement. This can be extremely expensive, or an exit becomes a showdown when the auxiliary drive runs out of energy while driving. Often the faults are found in a poor electrical connection or mechanical components cause a higher energy input. With the test bench it is possible to determine the energy input via a continuous function test. In the workshops, however, this type of test is missing. The aim is to integrate the test bench in the workshop equipment.

With regular maintenance, faults can be detected early. This ensures operational safety, thereby increasing traffic safety, reliability and, ultimately, more range.

Disclosure of the invention

The test stand according to the invention opens the possibility in a test run to determine the actual energy demand, the behavior even under load of an electric auxiliary drive and the interaction of all components in the overall system.

The solution provides that instead of the human, an external drive replaces the human muscle power, and in a test run, according to a given Fahrlastprofil a real driving autonomously runs without driver influence, to ultimately determine the performance of the system.

The object of the invention is also to form the power transmission such that little changes to the test object "bike" itself must be made in order to convert the wheel in an autonomous driving.

The invention allows for several embodiments. To further clarify the functional principle of the test stand, these will be described in more detail in the following drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

1 : - Schematic arrangement test bench

2 : - sketch arrangement power transmission via transmission

3 : - sketch arrangement power transmission via transmitter

4 : - sketch arrangement power transmission via transmitter coupling

Exemplary embodiments of the invention

1 shows as an example schematically the structure of the test stand according to the invention of an asymmetrically divided base frame with the partial surfaces (A) and (B).

On the partial surface (A) is the test bike ( 1 ) in typical design as front, center, rear-wheel drive ( 10 ) by at least one carrier ( 15 ) supported and aligned, via the wheel hub ( 18 ) of the front or rear wheel to the base frame (A). One on the impeller ( 11 ) adjacent roll ( 3 ) serves as an external brake.

On the sub-area (B) are the necessary for the operation and display of the test bench components such as controls and display elements ( 6 ) as well as components for the control ( 5 ) of the drive and for data acquisition and storage of measurement data.

The structure of the invention opens up the possibility of being able to use the test stand both as a stationary device for assembly and maintenance work, as well as for mobile use. An inventive additional advantage lies in the compact size, by the two partial surfaces for transport over at least one hinge ( fourteen ) and at least one handle ( 24 ) the test stand rolling and / or can be conveniently packaged in a container.

The test bench can be controlled via an integrated or remote control panel ( 6 ) and via a radio remote control system.

As already mentioned, there are various possible embodiments for the power transmission, which will be described in more detail below.

2 shows a special variant of the power transmission via the connection drive unit ( 2 ), Transmission unit ( 13 ) and chain drive ( 22 ).

The transmission unit ( 13 ) includes a round / V-belt or toothed belt with at least one drive-side pulley ( 26 ), at least one output side pulley ( 25 ) on the bicycle and at least one belt tensioner ( 11 ). The transmission unit comes, for example, on one side on the opposite side of the chain drive ( 22 ) of the bicycle to the application. For adaptation with the chain drive ( 22 ) is the opposite of the chain drive crank ( 12 ) withdrawn from the pedal crankshaft and by the output side pulley ( 25 ) replaced. Instead of a belt can optionally also be used a timing chain, the pulleys can be replaced by pinion disks.

For a low-vibration running of the belt and to protect the transmission unit and other components, the use of a known, the technical state corresponding fixture has proven. The clamping device ensures smoother running and a vibration-free belt run. In conjunction with at least one sensor, speed, tension, position and torques etc. are measured and reported to the central evaluation unit.

3 represents another variant of the power transmission via the connection drive unit ( 2 ), Transmitter plate ( 19 ) and chain drive ( 22 ). In contrast to 2 must the pedal ( 12 ) are not deducted on the bike. A plate arranged concentrically to the chain drive rotates synchronously with the crank.

3 illustrates an advantageous connection for transmitting power from the drive unit ( 2 ) to the chain drive ( 22 ) via at least one plate-shaped transmitter plate ( 19 ) with at least one radially arranged engaging driver ( 18 ) for receiving and one-sided entrainment of the crank ( 12 ) on the outer circle during rotation. This is a loose connection to the crank ( 12 ), which in the event of a blockage in the chain drive of the chain drive ( 22 ) or too strong a force, for example. During a switching operation, as a precaution solves the connection.

4 shows a further connection variant for the protection of the drive components. In case of blockage of the chain drive ( 22 ) and to protect further drive components comes a further transmitter plate ( 20 ) for use. This plate differs only in the slightly smaller diameter and nonexistent Driver. This plate is centrally rigidly connected to the shaft of the external drive unit. Both panels are connected together so that they can be twisted against each other. The actual power transmission is achieved by a latching connection ( 21 ) realized. For this purpose, the two plates ( 19 ) ( 20 ) connected to each other, for example, by means of at least one pin or at least one ball, that also here the connection can be solved at any time in the event of a fault.

Test procedure

The present invention includes an inventive development of the control and regulation unit which enables the driverless driving in the first place.

In order to be able to simulate the most realistic driving operation, its data such as time, position, slope, gradient, speed, acceleration, etc., are previously collected via a GPS or via another satellite-based measuring system and saved in a central data memory. In addition to this, it is possible to use route courses based on video and audio recordings from previously performed test drives.

From the measured data recorded by means of a plurality of sensors, by means of an evaluation unit for controlling and regulating the external drive ( 2 ) and brake unit ( 3 ) generates a load profile, which is recorded in the test stand or the bicycle drive.

The task of the external drive unit ( 2 ) is to put the bicycle in a real driving operation with real gradients and gradients. The applied force should replace the human muscle power and the impeller ( 11 ).

With the development according to the invention of a regulation and control unit, a particularly advantageous brake unit ( 3 ) for use. The task of the brake unit ( 3 ) is to build up an opposing force that corresponds to the size of a real grade or a real grade. This force simulates the road profile and acts on the driven wheel ( 11 ) opposite. Over the entire test process, a previously selected over / under reduction stage is used, so that the switching operations in the gear selection omitted.

As mentioned in the introduction, the triggering mechanism for the pedaling assistance depends on the cadence and the torque. Does a size change the electric auxiliary drive ( 10 ) and according to the loads that draws energy from the auxiliary power source ( 9 ).

As a further development according to the invention, the braking energy resulting from the test run can also be recovered. For the recovery or return to the grid, another control electronics is used, which will not be discussed here.

At the end of the test drive, the results are summarized in a log.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102011077181 A1 [0006, 0007]
• AT 512717 B1 [0006, 0007]

Claims (9)

Test bench for electric bicycles characterized in that this with a drive unit ( 2 ) without human muscle power, the functionality and reliability of an electric auxiliary drive system ( 10 ) in the overall system, with means for simulating the driving force acting on the bicycle as an external drive unit ( 2 ) and means for the opposing applied braking force as a brake roller ( 3 ) are provided. Test stand according to claim 1, characterized in that for the examination of a bicycle on the test a (also externally available) test program is played, which acts on the components drive and braking. Test stand according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that with the drive unit ( 2 ) via the transmission unit ( 13 ) with the tension rollers ( 11 ) adapted for driving power transmission to the pedal crank ( 12 ) he follows. Test stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that via the controller ( 5 ) cadence of the pedal ( 12 ) the connection of the electrical auxiliary drive ( 10 ) and the auxiliary energy from the battery pack ( 9 ) of the bike to be tested. Test stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit ( 2 ) below the electric auxiliary drive system ( 10 ) and radially to the crank ( 12 ) is aligned. Test stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit ( 2 ) axially to the crank ( 12 ) is aligned. Test stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brake roller ( 3 ) both on the carrier ( 15 ) as well as at the wheel hub ( 18 ) is arranged in axial or radial alignment. Test stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size of the base frame with the partial surfaces (A) and (B) via at least one joint ( fourteen ) in the longitudinal direction of the bicycle ( 1 ) is changeable for transport purposes. Test stand according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all command devices necessary for the control in the operating console ( 5 ) and the signal output necessary for the status display via the display ( 6 ).

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