A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECOVERY AND CONVERSION OF VARIABLE GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY IN ELECTRIC BICYCLES

摘要

The present invention discloses a mechanism to recover variable gravitational potential energy in electric bicycles. The mechanism comprises an alternator, hub motor and battery coupled to the rear wheel of an electric bike. The energy tapped by the mechanism is different at different instances, based on the gradient of the terrain and available gravitational potential energy in slopes where the bicycle is driven. This variable tapping of energy is achieved by using a set of gears connected to the alternator. With different reduction ratios of the gear, different amounts of energy are tapped. The mechanism increases the range of electric bicycles and provides an initial thrust to the rider. The gear-arrangement also allows the bicycle to be used as a low-cost alternative to gym cycles by utilizing the stored gravitational energy to provide variable loads to the user. FIG. 1