An electrically powered vehicle has a motor, controller and power supply contained within a wheel compartment. A cylindrical stator frame is fixed on the wheel axle, with an inner surface of the stator frame defining a space for housing the power supply and controller circuitry. A plurality of electromagnet stator segments are mounted on an outer surface of the stator frame. A cylindrical rotor frame is coupled to the axle through bearings. An inner surface of the rotor frame supports a plurality of permanent magnets that surround the stator segments to form a radial air gap therebetween. Mounted to the outer surface of the rotor frame by appropriate supporting structure is a vehicle tire.
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1. An electrically powered vehicle comprising a wheel, said wheel comprising:
an axle;
a cylindrical stator frame fixed on the axle, an inner surface of the stator frame defining a space for housing a power supply;
a plurality of electromagnet stator segments mounted on and distributed about an outer surface of the stator frame, wherein said stator frame is non-magnetic and said electromagnet stator segments are ferromagnetically isolated from each other;
a cylindrical rotor frame coupled to the axle through bearings, an inner surface of the rotor frame supporting a plurality of permanent magnets distributed to surround the stator segments to form a radial air gap therebetween; and
a tire mounted to an outer surface of the rotor frame, wherein the space in the cylindrical stator frame for housing the power supply is bounded in the radial direction by the axle and the inner surface of the stator frame and is bounded in the axial direction by a partition plate extending between the axle and the stator frame;
wherein the space in the cylindrical stator frame for housing the power supply is bounded in the radial direction by the axle and the inner surface of the stator frame and is bounded in the axial direction by a partition plate extending between the axle and the stator frame.
0. 10. An electrically powered vehicle comprising a first and a second wheel connected by a vehicle frame, one of the first and second wheels being a front wheel and the other of the first and second wheels being a rear wheel, said first wheel comprising:
an axle;
a cylindrical stator frame fixed on the axle, the cylindrical stator frame comprising a first power supply;
a plurality of electromagnet stator segments mounted on and distributed about an outer surface of the stator frame;
a cylindrical rotor frame coupled to the axle, an inner surface of the rotor frame supporting a plurality of permanent magnets distributed to surround the stator segments to form a radial air gap therebetween; and
a tire mounted to an outer surface of the rotor frame;
wherein said second wheel has a storage space in which a second a power supply is contained, and further comprising an electrical cable that is carried by the vehicle frame for connection between the electromagnet stator segments of said first wheel and the second power supply of said second wheel and
wherein a space in the cylindrical stator frame for housing the first power supply is bounded in the radial direction by the axle and an inner surface of the stator frame and is bounded in the axial direction by a partition plate extending between the axle and the stator frame.
0. 21. An electrically powered vehicle comprising, a first and a second wheel connected by a vehicle frame, said first wheel comprising:
an axel;
a cylindrical stator frame fixed on the axel;
a plurality of electromagnet stator segments mounted on and distributed about an outer surface of the stator frame;
a cylindrical rotor frame coupled to the axle, an inner surface of the rotor frame supporting a plurality of permanent magnets distributed to surround the stator segments to form a radial air gap therebetween; and
a tire mounted to an outer surface of the rotor frame;
said second wheel comprising:
an axle;
a cylindrical stator frame fixed on the axle, a plurality of electromagnet stator segments mounted on and distributed about an outer surface of the stator frame;
a cylindrical rotor frame coupled to the axle, an inner surface of the rotor frame supporting a plurality of permanent magnets distributed to surround the stator segments to form a radial air gap therebetween; and
a tire mounted to an outer surface of the rotor frame, in order to provide an all wheel drive propulsion
wherein said second wheel has a storage space in which a first power supply is contained, and further comprising an electrical cable carried by the vehicle frame for connection between the electromagnet stator segments of said first wheel and the first power supply of said second wheel and
wherein a space in the cylindrical stator frame for housing a second power supply is bounded in the radial direction by the axle and an inner surface of the stator frame and is bounded in the axial direction by a partition plate extending between the axle and the stator frame.
2. A vehicle as recited in
4. A vehicle as recited in
5. A vehicle as recited in
7. A vehicle as recited in
8. A vehicle as recited in
9. A vehicle as recited in
0. 11. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, further comprising a switch coupled to the electrical cable for selectively connecting the power supply in the second wheel.
0. 12. A vehicle as recited in claim 11, further comprising a handle bar and wherein the switch comprises a throttle at the handle bar.
0. 13. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein the first wheel is a rear wheel.
0. 14. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein the first wheel is a front wheel.
0. 15. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein the first and second power supplies are contained respectively in a hub of said first and second wheels.
0. 16. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein an inner surface of said stator frame of the first wheel defines the space for housing said first power supply.
0. 17. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein said stator frame is non-magnetic and said electromagnet stator segments are ferromagnetically isolated from each other.
0. 18. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein the first or second power supply comprises a plurality of battery cells.
0. 19. A vehicle as recited in claim 18, wherein the plurality of battery cells are D-cells.
0. 20. A vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein the storage space further comprises battery recharging circuitry.
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This application contains subject matter related to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/993,596 of Pyntikov et al., filed Nov. 27, 2001 and Ser. No. 09/966,102 of Maslov et al., filed Oct. 1, 2001. The disclosure of these copending applications are incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to electrically powered vehicles, more particularly to vehicles in which drive motor elements, control circuits and power supply are contained within one or more vehicle wheels.
The above identified Pyntikov et al. and Maslov et al. applications describe the development of efficient battery powered electric motor drives that may be advantageously employed in vehicles and other environments. The applications address the challenges of attaining smooth operation over a wide speed range, while maintaining a high torque output capability at minimum power consumption. Electronic control of pulsed energization applied to motor windings, by precisely varying pulse width, duty cycle, and switched application of a battery source, provides a wide functional versatility and flexible management of motor characteristics.
While the complexity of electronic elements can be extensive and diverse, the need is recognized for a motor structural configuration in which the control elements that provide such operation are self-contained. Such a configuration should not be made at a sacrifice in performance of the motor flux producing structure within a given constituent of the motor. The Pyntikov et al. and Maslov et al. applications contemplate configurations in which the stator is formed of a plurality of individual power modules and corresponding core segments, each module comprising electrical control and drive elements supplied by a power source incorporated within the stator. Such parallel architecture provides relatively independently controlled functionality for each module. Performance of each module individually may be measured in situ during normal operation or by running more extensive, software controlled, diagnostic routines. Based on test results, a module can be automatically recalibrated, disconnected, or flagged for repair or replacement. Overall motor performance, determined by combining the characteristics of the independent modules, can be compared to original benchmarks to analyze various repair options for devising the minimum necessary action.
In environments in which portability and size are important factors, such as bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles and the like, a vehicle motor drive should advantageously provide ready accessibility to the various structural components for replacement of parts at a minimum of inconvenience. Smaller vehicles present additional challenges to incorporate motor controls, which can be sophisticated, motor structure and one or more power supplies within a limited available space. For example, a power source must be provided that has a sufficient capacity for satisfactory operation of a vehicle drive such as described above while satisfying rather severe space and weight requirements of small vehicles. The need exists for providing such a power source within the confines of the vehicle structure while also being unobtrusive to the user.
The present invention fulfills the above described needs, at least in part, by provision of an electrically powered vehicle, for example a bicycle, having a motor, controller, power supply and charger contained within a wheel compartment. A cylindrical stator frame is fixed on the wheel axle, with an inner surface of the stator frame defining a space for housing the power supply. A plurality of electromagnet stator segments are mounted on and distributed about an outer surface of the stator frame. A cylindrical rotor frame is coupled to the axle through bearings. An inner surface of the rotor frame supports a plurality of permanent magnets distributed about the surface and surrounding the stator segments to form a radial air gap therebetween. The outer surface of the rotor frame supports a tire that is mounted thereon via a supporting structure such as a bicycle spoke frame or that may be mounted thereon directly. The motor, power supply and motor control circuit may all be contained within a front or back wheel hub of a bicycle that is readily accessible. For particulars of various rotor and stator structural configurations and a motor control scheme for generating electromotive force, reference is made to the above-identified patent applications.
The power supply requirements are dependent upon vehicle variables, such as size and weight, as well as the particular motor structural configuration and desired operating characteristics. The power supply may comprise a plurality of standard battery cells, such as D-cells, which can be replaced easily when necessary with readily available cells. An advantage of such cells is that they are readily available, as are rechargeable batteries. With easy access, the batteries can be exchanged with other rechargeable batteries and stored for reuse later. With appropriate connection of the batteries to an external portion of the wheel, the batteries can be recharged in situ, without the need for taking apart the wheel.
A further advantage of the invention is that additional battery cells may be contained within storage space in a second wheel and coupled, via an electrical cable carried by the vehicle frame, to the motor drive in the first wheel. Provision of commonly available batteries in both wheels broadens the range of useful operating environments to include more rugged vehicles or multi-passenger vehicles. Depending on the particular design characteristics of the motor, the cells all may be connected in appropriate parallel and/or series/parallel configurations.
As an added feature, a switch may be provided in the cable circuit to permit selective connection of the cells in the second wheel to the motor and its controller. Smaller vehicles may not require the simultaneous connection of all the batteries at all times. During periods of light use or when the first wheel contains new or newly charged batteries, connection of the second wheel batteries may be opened by the switch, thereby conserving the power supply. These batteries may be switched into circuit during higher torque requirements, for example travel at a severe uphill gradient or when carrying an additional passenger and/or heavy loads. The batteries in the second wheel thus comprise a reserve power supply that can also be switched into circuit when the batteries in the first wheel indicate a loss of power after a period of use.
The reserve power supply can be contained in a front bicycle wheel, which can easily be removed from the vehicle without disturbing the rear wheel. Removal of the rear wheel is more cumbersome due to the added weight of the motor components and its interconnection with the bicycle chain. The front wheel batteries can be easily taken to a remote location where the batteries can be recharged or replaced. Replacement of the front wheel with the new or recharged power supply allows prolonged use of the vehicle so that attention to the rear wheel can be delayed to a more convenient time.
Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a motor, controller, charger and power supply in each of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle. This “all wheel drive” functionality permits a greater range of control of the vehicle for better traction and torque distribution, and adds a level of redundancy to the drive system.
Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawing and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
A plurality of electromagnet stator segments 42 are positioned to be distributed about and mounted to the outer cylindrical surface of the stator frame 34. The electromagnet segments are ferromagnetically isolated from each other and, in operation, can each be separately controlled. Stator frame 34 is formed of a non-magnetic material, such as aluminum. Rotor frame 44 has an inner cylindrical surface upon which is to be mounted permanent magnet rotor 46. A back iron ring supports a plurality of distributed permanent magnets which need not be in abutting relationship with each other. Plates 48 and bearings 50 are part of the rotor assembly.
In the embodiment of
An additional variation of the invention is depicted in
As an alternative variation of the above described arrangement of
As an additional feature of the present invention, appropriate wiring can be provided within a wheel hub for connection of the batteries to terminals outside the hub for connection to a battery charger. Such a feature would be beneficial in avoiding the need to remove a wheel and dismantle the hub to replace the batteries.
In this disclosure there is shown and described only preferred embodiments of the invention and but a few examples of its versatility. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. For example, it is within the contemplation of the invention that the motor rotor frame may be coupled through bearings to the outer surface of the stator frame instead of to the axle. As a further alternative, the tire may be mounted directly to the rotor frame. The spokes would then be eliminated as the hub diameter is increased to the inner dimension of the tire. Such a modification, creates a greater space in which a more powerful motor and additional batteries can be housed.
Pyntikov, Alexander V., Benson, Mark A.
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