Patent · US Active

Energy harvesting power-assist system and method for light vehicles

US10479443B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
3References
26Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 6, 2016
Grant dateNov 19, 2019
Priority date—
Expiry dateMar 26, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/70
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is an energy harvesting power-assist system and method for human powered light vehicles. The power-assist system comprises a drive mechanism, one or more motor/generators and a high capacity storage device. The system continuously harvests and stores energy which is converted to motion by the motors, providing additional power to the user's pedaling. A controller determines the amount of pedal assist based on a user's preset value, and manages the charge and discharge of the high capacity storage device. As such, the system does not require any other external energy source, and the storage device never needs external charging under the described usage cases.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.