Field of the invention

The present invention relates to regenerative braking mechanisms for vehicles and more particularly to pedal driven vehicles enabling regenerative braking and energy storage by reverse pedaling.

Background of Invention

The simplicity of pedalling and the ability to provide mechanical advantage through gears in response to a circular motion of the wheel has enabled the vehicles, such as bicycles, to be popularly used for transportation, exercise and recreation. Attempts are being made worldwide to create cycle designs with the objectives to improving efficiency and reduction of pedaling efforts.

Traffic patterns often require vehicles to brake and accelerate. Sooner a bicycle comes to cruising speed the less vulnerable is the bicycle from loss of balance and steering wander that temporarily can create unsafe conditions. Frequent starts and stops takes immense toll on body fatigue in pedal driven vehicles and enhanced fuel consumption in motorized vehicles.

The art declared herein enables faster acceleration of the vehicles merely by back pedaling prior to braking. Theoretically this function is capable of improving acceleration torque for a few turns of the bicycle wheel by nearly 80%. It is anticipated that in competitive cycling, the user can shave off acceleration time to cruise speeds by merely back pedaling during braking incidences.

An elastic medium such as a spring is well known in the art to respond to a deforming force instantly and release energy instantly when the deforming force is removed therefore making it ideal for storing and releasing energy instantly. Further, with the emerging new material like graphene, the energy stored per unit of weight of spring is expected to significantly improve use of springs for energy storage.

The art declared employs a clock spring to store energy while braking or by reverse pedaling and use of the spring as a motive force to accelerate when the spring uncoils.

Described below are references prior art using elastic mediums for storing and releasing energy. Each of the arts have their unique mechanisms to achieve braking and acceleration in vehicles .

For example, CN101367420 A to Li Binghua et al. teaches a bicycle provided with clockwork spring strengtheners having a frame, a handle, wheels, a centre shaft and a flywheel. The bicycle is characterized by the pedal centre shaft with an energy storage and release device connected with the frame. The reversely rotating centre shaft compresses the clockwork spring to exert force while the bicycle is pedaled forward. The clock spring is released, so as to save force for driving. However, this art does not utilize the idle time when the bicycle is braking. Also, the system needs the bicycle mass to be a load while pedaling forward unlike current declaration which can store energy without moving the weight of the bicycle and the rider.

Another example, US 6053830 provides spring-assist drive for a pedal-operated rider-propelled vehicle such as a bicycle which makes use of a wind-up coil spring mounted within the frame of the bicycle as auxiliary power. However, the spring- assist drive has a limitation to store energy in the spring by requiring the user to pedal forward while the brake is engaged. The opportunity to store energy by back pedaling is not available.

In recent era, three and four wheel pedal cycles have emerged as a part of green initiatives towards Cargo Bicycles. However, in these vehicles larger pedaling effort is required to start from rest due to increased weight.

In addition, vehicles such as mountain bicycles that negotiate extreme terrains with steep up and down gradients benefit from power boost. Mountain Bicycles have to be sturdier for negotiating the mountain terrains that generate large shocks and lateral forces. The ride often creates air jumps wherein the rider steers the flight attitude when air borne by manipulating the gyroscopic forces generated by wheel spins. For these applications there is a compelling need to provide devices for generating wheel spin when the feet are away from pedals. The ability to accelerate wheel spin without pedaling is possible with the art declared herein. Accordingly, there is a need for a system for pedal assisted geared vehicle with regenerative braking and reverse pedal energy storage that enables the rider to use reverse pedaling action and/or momentum of the vehicle for storing energy and utilization thereof for acceleration of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a system for regenerative braking and reverse pedal energy storage adapted to be mounted on a modified rear wheel hub of pedal assisted vehicles. The system of the present invention includes a spring cassette assembly including a clock spring that is configured to be charged optionally by reverse pedaling or by braking that mimics the reverse pedaling action. The source of energy by braking is through loss of momentum of the bicycle. More the braking incidences that result in torques that exceed the spring coiling thresholds the more the energy storage occurs. The width and thickness of the clock spring can be varied to enable a wide variation of braking forces that exceed the clock spring thresholds while minimizing incidences of full length wrapping of the clock spring. Any braking force that exists after the clock spring is fully wrapped would lead to the discharge disc to slip while maintaining the braking force. However, it is understood that a disc slippage is energy not stored in the spring and hence amounts to a loss.

The system of the present invention is adapted to be installed on a modified hub to which is affixed the rear wheel of the vehicle. The spring cassette assembly is provided with mechanisms that allow the discharge of stored spring energy either synchronous with the brake lever operation or manually by selecting a separate lever for selecting the instant of energy discharge. In addition while parking, the energy can be discharged without powering the wheel of the bicycle. This eliminates accidental acceleration of the bicycle when parked.

The system of the present invention comprises a handle brake assembly that includes a lever that functions as an energy release lever as well as a mode selector lever. The mode selector lever allows energy release to be selected in an automatic mode or a manual mode. In the automatic mode, the energy is released by merely letting go of the brake lever.

The modified rear wheel hub is designed to allow installing gears as in a conventional bicycle in the conventional location. It also forms a bridge across a center of the rear wheel such that the spring cassette can be positioned across on the other side of the wheel while allowing it to power the wheel.

The modified rear wheel hub enables the wheel to be powered by the spring cassette on one side and the gear sprocket on the other. The sprocket set is used to influence charging of the spring by reverse pedaling effort through the inherent selectable main crank to sprocket gear ratios. The spring cassette provides a fixed acceleration torque in all the gear combinations of forward motion of the bicycle. A manually operable lever allows the rider to release the energy at any given instant based on the terrain or in competition to gain strategic lead.

In an embodiment of the present invention, namely a distributed hub embodiment, the system for regenerative braking and reverse pedal energy storage includes a momentum gear and a reversing gear that transmit the momentum of the bicycle to a second clutch meshing gear in counter rotation to the rotation of the wheel of the bicycle. In addition, the system includes an idler sprocket and a first clutch meshing gear wherein the first clutch meshing gear meshes with the second clutch meshing gear by operating the brake lever. The idler sprocket is extension of the first clutch meshing gear and is coupled to the bicycle chain and therefore has the tangential velocity as that of the chain. The combination described above serves to couple the momentum of the vehicle to the spring storage employed in the vehicle. This mechanism is located midways between the bicycle crank and the rear hub on the same side as the chain. In this embodiment, the rider aids synchronized mating of first and second clutch gear by doing a limited half rotation back pedal which matches the tangential velocity of the first clutch meshing gear to the velocity of the chain. This half turn back pedaling technique is also utilized in releasing the mating gears when the brake lever is released for forward acceleration.

In another and preferred embodiment of the present invention, namely an integrated hub embodiment, the system for regenerative braking and reverse pedal energy storage includes a regenerative braking unit that is integrated with the modified hub on the opposite side of the chain sprocket as in a conventional bicycle thereby providing a space for mounting the gear sprocket set in the conventional space of a conventional bicycle and eliminating the space usage between the pedal crank and rear hub. This also results in reduced parts count and reduction in weight. This embodiment achieves the coupling of the wheel momentum to the spring in counter rotation of wheel rotation by connecting the spring through cascading a set of three gears wherein the first gear set affixed to the spring rotor meshing with the second gear set comprising Sun gear and Planetary gear, the Planetary gear manually movable to mesh with the third gear set comprising Momentum Gear coupled to Synchromesh gear affixed to the wheel. In this embodiment, the modified rear wheel hub is connected through the inner hub sprocket to momentum synchromesh coupled gears. The planetary gear is operated by the brake lever to rotate around the sun gear while in fully enmeshed state and able to contact and mesh with the momentum gear of the wheel through a Synchromesh gear that eases coupling of planetary gear to momentum gear. The coupling involves a rotating Momentum and Synchromesh gear to mate with a relatively stationery Planetary Gear.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for regenerative braking and energy storage mounted on a bicycle in accordance with an embodiment, namely a distributed hub embodiment, of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handle assembly of the system for regenerative braking and energy storage of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a customized rear wheel hub in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the customized rear wheel hub of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross -sectional view of the customized rear wheel hub of FIG. 3 taken along lines A-A;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a rear wheel assembly of the bicycle comprising a first section, a second section, a third section and an auxiliary section of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a close-up side view of the system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 7 taken along lines E-E;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 7 taken along lines F-F;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the system of FIG. 9 without the sectioning along F-F in Fig 7;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a first meshing gear assembly of the system of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the first meshing gear assembly of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a system for regenerative braking and energy storage mounted on a bicycle in accordance with one preferred embodiment, namely an integrated hub embodiment, of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a handle assembly of the system for regenerative braking and energy storage of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged front view of a rear wheel assembly of the system for regenerative braking and energy storage of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the rear wheel assembly of FIG. 1 .

Detailed description of the invention The invention described herein is explained using specific disclosures/mechanisms exemplary details for better understanding. However, the invention disclosed can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of these specific disclosures.

References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. References in the specification to "preferred embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 adapted for pedaled assisted geared vehicle with regenerative braking and energy storage features is shown that enables the vehicle to store energy due to momentum as well as due to reverse pedaling. In this one embodiment, namely a distributed hub embodiment, the system 100 is shown mounted on a bicycle. However, it is understood here that the system 100 may be mounted on any other pedaled vehicle in other alternative embodiments of the present invention. In the context of the present invention the system 100 includes a handle assembly 102 and a rear wheel assembly 104.

Referring to FIG. 2, the handle assembly 102 includes a front wheel brake lever 106, a rear wheel friction brake lever 108, a chain reversing gear lever 110, and an asynchronous (Async, hereinafter) lever/ selector 112. The handle assembly 102 is configured such that stored energy is released as a torque aiding acceleration either synchronously to movement of brake lever 106 or manually through the Async selector 112.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the rear wheel assembly 104 includes a modified rear hub 114. The modified rear hub 114 includes a shaft or axle 116. The shaft 116 has a hub seat 118 configured thereon. The shaft 116 receives an opposed pair of support bearings 120 through either sides that are preferably held in position adjacent to the hub seat 118 through a first pair of retaining rings 122 such that either ends 126 of the inner hub 124 position on the support bearings 120. The support bearings 120 maintain a predefined gap between an inner surface of the inner hub 124 and the hub seat 118. The inner hub 124 receives a one way clutch 128 on outer surface thereof. The inner hub 124 is preferably held in position using a second pair of retaining rings 130. The one way clutch 128 receives an outer hub 132 positioned on an outer surface thereof. The outer hub 132 includes a pair of circular collars 134 that has a plurality of holes defined thereon. The circular collars 134 engage with a plurality of spokes of a rear wheel of the vehicle.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the rear wheel assembly 104 is formed into a first section, a second section, a third section and an auxiliary section. The first section includes a mechanism configured midways between a main pedal crank 136 and a rear wheel 138 interfacing with the lever 110 of the handle assembly 102. The first section facilitates reversal of momentum and transfers the same to a chain 140 through the lever 110. The second section facilitates conventional pedaling function thereby connecting torque of pedals to the rear wheel 138 through a plurality of gears. The second section replicates conventional pedal function of the bicycle while maintaining the space and location of conventional functions in a conventional vehicle, which in this embodiment is a bicycle. The third section is an energy storage unit in accordance with the present invention. The auxiliary section facilitates latching and unlatching of the energy storage mechanism such that the stored energy can be discharged without acceleration of the vehicle, a requirement while parking the vehicle as well as ability to release the stored energy at the riders choosing independent of the release of the lever 110 by the operation of lever 108.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10, in this embodiment, the first section includes a momentum gear 141 affixed to a modified rear hub 114. The first section includes a reversing gear 142 that meshes with the momentum gear 141. The reversing gear 142 is configured to reverse the direction of the momentum gear 141 and convey the momentum of the bicycle. A second clutch meshing gear 144 is mounted abreast to a reversing gear 142 along a reversing gear shaft 146 through a one way reversing cam 147. The first section includes an idler sprocket 148 and a first clutch meshing gear 150 that are mounted on an idler shaft 152 through an idler housing 149. An opposed located pair of bearings 151 is positioned on either sides of the idler housing 149. The idler sprocket 148 is configured to remain continuously meshed with the chain 140 to enable first clutch meshing gear 150 to transfer rotation of the second meshing gear 144 to the chain 140. The idler shaft 152 connects to an idler arm 154. As shown in FIG. 10, the idler arm 154 includes an opposed located pair of holes 154A and 154B such that the hole 154A facilitates connection of the idler shaft 152 on to the idler arm 154 and the second hole 154B facilitates connection of a first cable holder 160 to the idler arm 154. The first cable holder 160 is connected to a brake cable 162 that further connects to a second cable holder 164. The idler shaft 152 is movable through the idler arm 154. The idler arm 154 cantilevers around an idler hinge pin 156 (Refer FIG. 7). The lever 110 (Refer FIG. 2) has an actuated position wherein the first clutch meshing gear 150 meshes with the second clutch meshing gear 144. In this position, actuation of the lever 110 enables the reversing gear 142 to transfer the captured reverse momentum to the chain 140 that reverses the direction of the rotation of the chain 140 with a torque commensurate with the bicycle momentum. It is to be noted that the reversing gear 142 rotates at an rpm that is a function of the wheel rpm and the gear ratio between the momentum gear 141 and the reversing gear 142. The second meshing gear 144 rotates at the same rpm of reversing gear 142.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, for a smooth interference free mating of second meshing gear 144 with first clutch meshing gear 150, the rotational speed in rpm of the first clutch meshing gear 150 which is zero at the base state must be accelerated to nearly the same rpm of the second meshing gear 144 to facilitate a smooth synchronized transfer of momentum due to which the spring storage occurs. To facilitate smooth synchronized transfer, the rider back peddles at the instance of braking to match the speed of chain 140 with the tangential speed of second meshing gear 144. To facilitate this, the ratio of momentum gear 141 to second meshing gear 144 is designed to require lower back peddle cadence. This feature is the synchronized meshing feature of the present invention. To further facilitate the synchronization, the first meshing gear 150 is made of an innovative Synchro feature that allows the teeth to be loose while mating for a predetermined angle after which it locks in step with the second meshing gear 144.

Referring to FIGS. 11-12, constructional details of the Synchro feature of the first meshing gear 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. The first meshing gear 150 is configured to be positioned on a rotor disc 150 A. The rotor disc 150 A has a circular protuberance 150B that includes a key portion 150C. The key portion 150C includes a first pin 150D. The first meshing gear 150 includes a window portion 150E defined thereon. A second pin 150F is positioned above the window portion 150E. A spring stamp 150G is configured to be positioned over the first and second pins 150D, 150F. The rotor disc 150 A is configured to be mounted on a shaft 150H through a bearing 1501 positioned therebetween. The shaft 150H is connected to a support 150 J.

Referring back to FIGS. 6-10, the first section includes a reversing gear mount bracket 158 having a first hole 158A and a second hole 158B along corner portions thereof. The first hole 158A facilitates connection between the reversing gear mount bracket 158 and the reversing gear shaft 146. The second hole 158B facilitates connection between reversing gear mount bracket 1 8 and the idler arm 154.

As shown in FIGS. 6-10, the second section is configured such that the chain 140 connects through a gear sprocket set 166 to the modified rear hub 114. The gear sprockets 166 are preferably connected to the inner hub 124 of the modified rear hub 114 such that the gear sprocket set 166 rotates the inner hub 124 when the pedals are reverse rotated. The one way clutch 128 positioned over the inner hub 124 of the modified rear hub 114 enables it to rotate without powering the outer hub 134 and consequently the wheel 138. The inner hub 124 is configured to extend on other side of the wheel 138. It is understood here that an extended hub 178 rotates with the inner hub 124.

Referring again to FIGS. 6-10, the third section includes a spring cassette unit or an energy storage unit that includes an outer casing 168 and an inner casing 170. A spring 172 is positioned between the inner casing 170 and the outer casing 168. The spring 172 is preferably a clock spring in this one embodiment. The clock spring 172 has an outer end 174 that is affixed to the outer casing 168. The clock spring 172 has an inner end 176 that is connected to the inner casing 170. The inner casing 170 is mounted on the extended sleeve/ hub 178 through a one way clutch 171 adjacent to which a connecting hub 173 (Refer FIG. 9) is positioned. In the context of the present invention, rotation of the inner hub 124 facilitated in backward direction due to rotation of the chain 140 is transferred to the inner casing 170 of the spring cassette thereby rotating the clock spring 172 against a spring bias that is experienced by the vehicle as a braking torque. The chain 140 is released from the bicycle momentum once the chain reversal lever 110 is reversed. Accordingly, the inner hub 124 is made free from the bicycle momentum however the bias of the spring 172 exerts a forward torque to the inner hub 124 through the one way clutch 128 that in turn accelerates the wheel 138 in a forward direction.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 6-10, the auxiliary section is configured to latch and unlatch the spring cassette when the spring 172 is to be discharged either for choice of instant when acceleration is desired or when parking the vehicle without acceleration thereby using separate levers for actuating acceleration or energy discharge without acceleration. The chain reversal lever 110 is designed to interface with the Async selector 112 that connects to a ratchet lock 180 and a pawl 186. A disc brake 179 is positioned between the ratchet lock 180 and circular collars 134 of the modified hub 114. The disc brake 179 has a brake housing 181 that connects to the friction brake lever 108. The Async lever 112 has an ON position wherein the spring 172 may be charged without being discharged by the release of brake lever 110. The Async lever 112 has an OFF position wherein the spring 172 may be discharged resulting in acceleration of the vehicle. In the context of the present invention, the spring cassette connects to a discharge lock pin/ knob 182 positioned on the ratchet lock 180 that is connected to the outer casing 168 that when pulled discharges the spring 172 by unwinding the spring 172 by spinning the outer casing 168. The knob 182 is preferably positioned on a rigid frame 184. The rigid frame 184 also includes the pawl 186 connected thereto. The pawl 186 makes contact with the ratchet lock 180. The outer casing 168 is connected to a discharge lock 188 thereby having a sleeve 190 positioned there between. The discharge lock 188 is in communication with the knob 182. The knob 182 is configured by adjusting the locking compression bias to discharge the spring cassette in fully filled/ loaded condition by allowing the ratchet lock to slip when the coiling torque exceeds a predetermined threshold. This adjustment feature using the knob 182 allows the spring 172 from being overly strained from excess energy after the spring 172 is fully wrapped. The knob 182 also facilitates a manual energy release feature to be used before parking the vehicle without energy transfer to the spring 172 as a safety precaution. It is understood here that the knob 182 includes a spring (not shown) positioned on a shaft and a cap thereof such that the spring bias can be increased by a screw-nut adjustment action of the knob 182.

Referring to FIG. 13, one preferred embodiment, namely an integrated hub embodiment, of the system 100 for regenerative braking and reverse pedal energy storage is shown that includes a regenerative braking rear wheel assembly that is integrated with the modified hub 114 (Refer FIG. 3) on the opposite side of the gear sprocket set 166 (Refer FIG. 10) in a conventional bicycle thereby providing a space for mounting the gear sprocket set 166 (Refer FIG. 10) in a conventional manner and location. This embodiment does not take up space on bicycle frame between the pedal crank and the rear gear sprocket eliminating potential pedaling interference. In addition, the mechanism in this embodiment has reduced component count and consequently reduction in weight.

In this preferred embodiment, the system 100 includes a handle assembly 1302 and a rear wheel assembly 1304 as shown.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, in this preferred embodiment, the handle assembly 1302 includes a front wheel brake lever 1306, a rear wheel friction brake lever 1308, an inner hub reversing lever 1310, and an asynchronous (Async, hereinafter) lever/ selector 1312. The handle assembly 1302 is synchronous to movement of brake lever 1306 or manually through the Async selector 1312. The friction brakes on the bicycle to be used in conjunction of spring based acceleration to regulate the acceleration of the bicycle.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, in this preferred embodiment, the rear wheel assembly 1304 includes an Async unit 1510, a sun-planetary gear unit 1520 and a momentum gear unit 1530. In this preferred embodiment, the sun-planetary gear unit 1 20 is configured to replace the arrangement of momentum gear 141 and reversing gear 142 (as shown in FIGS. 6-10) that departs from preceding embodiment wherein the regenerative braking mechanism is spread on the bicycle frame, mid section between front and rear wheel on the chain side of the bicycle. In this preferred embodiment, the rear wheel assembly 1304 reduces overall component count and consequentially the weight of the system 100.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the Async unit 1510 includes a bracket mount 1602 that connects to a piston 1603 and a piston housing 1604. The bracket mount 1602 connects to an Async frame 1606 to which any Async mesh gear 1608 is connected through a one way clutch/cam 1610.

The sun-planetary gear unit 1520 includes a sun gear 1612 and a planetary gear 1614. The sun gear 1612 positions on a sun gear housing 1616 configured on a first idler shaft 1618. The planetary gear 1614 positions on a planetary gear housing 1620 configured on a second idler shaft 1622 through a bearing 1624.

The momentum gear unit 1530 includes a momentum transfer disc 1632. The momentum transfer disc 1632 connects to a Synchro mesh gear 1634 through a Synchro mesh spring 1636. It is understood here that the construction of momentum gear unit 1530 in this embodiment is identical to Synchro feature of the first meshing gear 1 0 as described with reference to FIGS 11-12.

In this embodiment, the system includes a modified rear hub 1638. The modified rear hub 1638 includes a shaft or axle 1640. The shaft 1640 has a hub seat such that either ends of the shaft 1640 receive an opposed located pair of support bearings 1642 and preferably position adjacent to the hub seat. An inner hub 1644 is supported on the hub seat through the support bearings 1642. The support bearings 1642 maintain a predefined gap between an inner surface of the inner hub 1644 and the hub seat. The inner hub 1644 receives a one way clutch 1646 on outer surface thereof. The one way clutch 1646 receives an outer hub 1648 positioned on an outer surface thereof. The outer hub 1648 includes a pair of circular collars 1650 that has a plurality of holes defined thereon. The circular collars 1650 engage with a plurality of spokes of a rear wheel of the vehicle. A momentum gear/ inner hub sprocket 1651 is affixed to a modified rear hub unit 1638. The momentum gear 1651 has a first end that meshes with the Async mesh gear 1608 of the Async unit 1510. The momentum gear 1651 has a second end that meshes with the sun gear 1612 of the sun-planetary gear unit 1520.

In this embodiment, a chain 1652 connects to a gear sprocket set 1654 that is configured to be positioned on one side of the modified rear hub 1638. The gear sprockets set 1654 is preferably mounted on the inner hub 1644 of the modified rear hub 1638 such that the gear sprocket set 1654 assists in rotation of the inner hub 1644 when the pedals are reverse rotated. The one way clutch 1646 positioned over the inner hub 1644 of the modified rear hub 1638 enables it to rotate without powering the outer hub 1648 and consequently the wheel. The inner hub 1644 is configured to extend on other side of the wheel such that an extended sleeve/hub 1658 positioned thereon rotates with the inner hub 1644. In this embodiment, the system 100 includes a spring cassette unit or an energy storage unit. The spring cassette unit includes an outer casing 1660 and an inner casing 1662. A spring 1664 is positioned between the inner casing 1662 and the outer casing 1660. The spring 1664 has an outer end that is affixed to the outer casing 1660. The spring 1664 has an inner end that is connected to the inner casing 1662. The inner casing 1662 is mounted on the extended sleeve/ hub 1658 through a one way clutch/ cam 1670. In the context of the present invention, rotation of the inner hub 1644 facilitated in backward direction due to rotation of the chain 1652 is transferred to the inner casing 1662 of the spring cassette thereby rotating the clock spring 1664 against a spring bias that is experienced by the vehicle as a braking torque. The chain 1652 is released from the bicycle momentum once the inner hub reversing lever 1310 (as shown in FIG. 13) is reversed. Accordingly, the inner hub 1644 is made free from the bicycle momentum however the spring bias exerts a forward torque to the inner hub 1644 through the one way clutch 1646 that in turn accelerates the wheel in a forward direction.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 16, latching and unlatching of the spring cassette is enabled when the spring 1664 is to be discharged either for choice of the instant when acceleration is desired or when parking the vehicle without acceleration. The inner hub reversal lever 1310 is designed to interface with the Async selector 1312. The Async lever 1312 has an ON position wherein the spring 1664 may be charged without being discharged by the release of brake lever 1310. The Async lever 1312 has an OFF position wherein the spring 1664 may be discharged resulting in acceleration of the vehicle. The spring cassette connects to a discharge lock pin/ knob 1674 that is connected to the outer casing 1660 through a discharge lock 1673 and discharge lock frame 1675 such that the spring 1664 discharges when the knob 1674 is pulled thereby unwinding the spring 1664 from the outer casing 1660. The discharge lock 1673 is communication with the outer casing 1660 by having a sleeve 1677 positioned there between. The knob 1674 is preferably configured to discharge the spring cassette in fully filled/ loaded condition and can be adjusted to release pressure on the spring 1664 as per user's need. The knob 1674 allows the spring 1664 from being overly strained from excess energy after the spring 1664 is fully wrapped. The knob 1674 also facilitates a manual energy release feature to be used before parking the vehicle without energy transfer to the spring 1664 as a safety precaution.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the system 100 includes an idler/brake arm 1676 that has a first hole 1676 A, a second hole 1676B and a third hole 1676C. The first hole 1676 A facilitates connection of the second idler shaft 1622 on to the idler arm 1676. The second hole 1676B facilitates connection of the first idler shaft 1618 on the idler arm 1676. The system 100 includes a first cable holder 1678 and a second cable holder 1680. The first cable holder 1678 is connected to a brake cable 1682 that further connects to the second cable holder 1680. The lever 1310 (as shown in FIG. 13) has an actuated position wherein the planetary gear 1614 meshes with the Synchro mesh gear 1634. In this one preferred embodiment, the rider aids the synchronized mating of planetary gear 1614 with the Synchro mesh gear 1634 by doing a limited half rotation by back pedaling which matches the tangential velocity of the Synchro mesh gear 1634 to the tangential velocity of planetary gear 1614. This half turn back pedaling technique is also utilized in releasing the mating gears when the brake lever 1306 is released for forward acceleration. The Synchro mesh gear 1634 is provided with a limited slip Synchro feature that further eases the burden of reverse pedaling for mating planetary gear 1614 with the Synchro mesh gear 1634 when braking and storing energy in the spring 1664 of the spring cassette.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.