US 11,904,983 B2
Electric assist vehicle with integrated speed control
Zachary Schieffelin, Brooklyn, NY (US)
Assigned to Civilized Cycles Incorporated, Brooklyn, NY (US)
Filed by CIVILIZED CYCLES INCORPORATED, Brooklyn, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/474,853.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/215,386, filed on Jun. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0411015 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. B62M 6/50 (2010.01); B62J 45/412 (2020.01); B62K 25/04 (2006.01); B62L 3/00 (2006.01); B62K 5/027 (2013.01); G01S 19/42 (2010.01)
CPC B62M 6/50 (2013.01) [B62J 45/412 (2020.02); B62K 5/027 (2013.01); B62K 25/04 (2013.01); B62L 3/00 (2013.01); G01S 19/42 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric assist vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of ground-contacting wheels rotatably coupled to a frame;
a drivetrain operatively coupled to at least one of the ground-contacting wheels and configured to propel the vehicle, wherein the drivetrain is convertible between a human-powered mode and an electric assist mode;
a sensor configured to determine a characteristic corresponding to a weight of the vehicle; and
an electronic controller configured to maintain the vehicle below a maximum speed, wherein the maximum speed is based on the characteristic.
 
10. A method of operating an electric assist vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, at a controller of an electric assist vehicle, a mass-related characteristic of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes: a plurality of ground-contacting wheels rotatably coupled to a frame and a drivetrain operatively coupled to at least one of the ground-contacting wheels and configured to propel the vehicle, wherein the drivetrain is convertible between a human-powered mode and an electric assist mode;
automatically determining a maximum speed based on the mass-related characteristic of the electric vehicle; and
using the controller, automatically limiting a current speed of the vehicle to no more than the maximum speed.