Propelled bicycle with automatic transmission

Abstract

An automatic transmission bicycle including a bicycle frame, a chain ring, a pair of pedals, a wheel, and a plurality of gears coupled to the bicycle frame. The plurality of gears has a plurality of gear combinations defined by at least two gears cooperatively engaged. The automatic transmission bicycle includes an electric motor coupled to the bicycle frame. The automatic transmission bicycle includes a voltage generator configured to generate a current that has a corresponding voltage dependent upon rotational speed of the wheel. The automatic transmission bicycle includes a gear shifter in electrical communication with the voltage generator and configured to receive the current generated by the voltage generator. The gear shifter shifts between two respective gear combinations from the plurality of gear combinations in response to receiving the current that has a corresponding voltage within a predetermined voltage range.

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         11 . An automatic transmission bicycle comprising:
 a bicycle frame;   a front fork rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame;   a chain ring rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame, the chain ring comprising an output gear and an input gear;   a pair of pedals attached to the chain ring;   a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame;   a front wheel rotatably coupled to the front fork;   a plurality of gears coupled to the bicycle frame, the plurality of gears having a plurality of gear combinations defined by at least two cooperatively engaged gears;   a first chain extendable about the chain ring and operative to drive the rear wheel;   a motor coupled to the bicycle frame, the motor having an output gear;   a second chain extendable about the output gear of the motor and the input gear of the chain ring for rotateably driving the chain ring under power of the motor;   an electrical signal generator coupled to the front fork or the bicycle frame, the electrical signal generator in mechanical communication with the front or rear wheel and configured to generate an electrical signal based on a rotational speed of the front wheel or rear wheel; and   a gear shifter coupled to the bicycle frame, the gear shifter in electrical communication with the electrical signal generator and configured to receive the electrical signal from electrical signal generator, the gear shifter configured to exert a mechanical force upon the plurality of gears to shift between two respective gear combinations of the plurality of gear combinations in response to receiving the electrical signal from the signal generator, the gear shifter including:
 a cable in mechanical communication with the plurality of gears, the cable defining a cable axis and configured to move axially along the cable axis in response to the gear shifter receiving the electrical signal from the electrical signal generator within a predetermined range; and 
 a biasing member in mechanical communication with the cable, the biasing member configured to exert a force upon the cable dependent upon the gear shifter receiving the electrical signal within a predetermined range. 
   
     
     
         12 . An automatic transmission bicycle comprising:
 a bicycle frame;   a front fork rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame;   a chain ring rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame, the chain ring comprising an output gear and an input gear;   a pair of pedals attached to the chain ring;   a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame;   a front wheel rotatably coupled to the front fork;   a plurality of gears coupled to the bicycle frame, the plurality of gears having a plurality of gear combinations defined by at least two cooperatively engaged gears;   a first chain extendable about the chain ring and operative to drive the rear wheel;   a motor coupled to the bicycle frame and disposed between the chain ring and the front wheel, the motor having an output gear;   a second chain extendable about the output gear of the motor and the input gear of the chain ring for rotateably driving the chain ring under power of the motor;   an electrical signal generator coupled to the front fork or the bicycle frame, the electrical signal generator in mechanical communication with the front or rear wheel and configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the front or rear wheel; and   a gear shifter coupled to the bicycle frame, the gear shifter in electrical communication with the electrical signal generator and configured to receive the electrical signal from electrical signal generator, the gear shifter configured to exert a mechanical force upon the plurality of gears via a cable to shift between two respective gear combinations of the plurality of gear combinations in response to receiving the electrical signal from the electrical signal generator.   
     
     
         13 . An automatic transmission bicycle comprising:
 a bicycle frame;   a front fork rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame;   a chain ring rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame, the chain ring comprising an output gear and an input gear;   a pair of pedals attached to the chain ring;   a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame;   a front wheel rotatably coupled to the front fork;   a gearing mechanism coupled to the bicycle frame;   a first chain extendable about the chain ring and operative to drive the rear wheel;   an electric motor coupled to the bicycle frame, the electric motor having a motor electric circuit for powering the electric motor and an output gear;   a second chain extendable about the output gear of the electric motor and the input gear of the chain ring for rotateably driving the chain ring under power of the electric motor;   an electrical signal generator coupled to the front fork or the bicycle frame, the electric signal generator having a signal generator electric circuit which is independent from the motor electric circuit, the electrical signal generator in mechanical communication with the front or rear wheel and configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the front or rear wheel; and   a gear shifter coupled to the bicycle frame, the gear shifter in electrical communication with the electrical signal generator and configured to receive the electrical signal from electrical signal generator, the gear shifter configured to exert a mechanical force on gearing mechanism to change a gear ratio in response to receiving the electrical signal from the electrical signal generator.   
     
     
         14 . The automatic transmission bicycle of  claim 13  wherein the electrical signal generator is a voltage generator and the signal is a current produced by the voltage generator. 
     
     
         15 . The automatic transmission bicycle of  claim 13  wherein the gearing mechanism is a planetary gear system, a plurality of exposed gears or a plurality of internal gears. 
     
     
         16 . The automatic transmission bicycle of  claim 13  further comprising a battery for powering the electric motor. 
     
     
         17 . The automatic transmission bicycle of  claim 16  wherein the signal generator electric circuit is separate from the motor electric circuit such that the signal generator and gear shifter are capable of continued operation despite failure of the batter.