US-20260125129-A1 - SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE, ELECTRIC BICYCLE, COMPONENT FOR AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE, AND KIT FOR AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a system for an electric bicycle includes a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component are connected to each other via a closed locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be opened via a magnetic field and/or an electric field provided by a tool.

Inventors

• Ivor Mikolcevic
• Hinko Zlopasa

Assignees

• PORSCHE EBIKE PERFORMANCE GMBH

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251104

Priority Date

20241104

Claims (17)

1. 1 . A system for an electric bicycle, the system comprising: a first component; a second component; said first component and said second component being connected to each other via a locking mechanism which is closed; and, said locking mechanism is openable via at least one of a magnetic field and an electric field provided by a tool.
2. 2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein: said locking mechanism includes a first locking element associated with said first component; said locking mechanism includes a second locking element associated with said second component; said first locking element and said second locking element being coupled to each other; and, said locking mechanism being configured such that when the locking mechanism is in the closed state, decoupling of said first locking element and said second locking element is blocked, wherein the blocking of the decoupling is releasable via the at least one of the magnetic field and the electric field provided by the tool, thereby opening said locking mechanism.
3. 3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism is configured such that it is openable magnetically and the tool includes a magnet.
4. 4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein a first of said first locking element and said second locking element is a plug and a second of said first locking element and said second locking element is a receptacle for said plug; and, said plug is inserted into said receptacle.
5. 5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said first component includes a control unit for an electric motor of the electric bicycle.
6. 6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said second component is a frame element of the electric bicycle.
7. 7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that, by opening said locking mechanism, said first component is detachable from said second component or vice versa.
8. 8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a receptacle for the first component is provided in said second component; and, said first component is arranged in said receptacle of said second component.
9. 9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein a first of said first component and said second component has a tensioned spring element which bears against a second of said first component and said second component and thereby holds said first component in said receptacle of said second component, and when the locking mechanism is opened, pushes said first component out of said receptacle of said second component so that said first component is removable from said receptacle.
10. 10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein: said spring element is a spring arm on said first component; said receptacle defines an opening through which said first component is inserted into said receptacle; said opening is surrounded laterally and bounded by a section of said second component; and, said spring arm extends at least partially under said section of said second component, bears on said section and is thereby tensioned.
11. 11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein elements of said locking mechanism are not freely visible.
12. 12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein: said locking mechanism includes a plurality of first locking elements at different first locations on said first component and a plurality of second locking elements at second locations on said second component that match said first locations; said plurality of first locking elements are coupled with said plurality of second locking elements; and, said locking mechanism is configured to be opened by a tool having an arrangement of magnets which corresponds to the arrangement of said plurality of first locking elements and said plurality of second locking elements.
13. 13 . An electric bicycle comprising the system of claim 1 .
14. 14 . A component for an electric bicycle, the component comprising: a locking element for coupling with a further locking element of a further component; said locking element being provided for a locking mechanism which, when closed, connects two components to each other via a coupling between said locking element and said further locking element; and, said locking mechanism being configured to be opened via at least one of a magnetic field and an electric field provided by a tool.
15. 15 . A kit for an electric bicycle, the kit comprising: a first component having a first locking element; a second component having a second locking element; said first locking element and said second locking element forming part of a locking mechanism which is configured such that said locking mechanism is closable by coupling said first locking element and said second locking element and, in a closed state, decoupling of said first locking element and said second locking element is blocked; and, said locking mechanism being configured to be opened via at least one of a magnetic field and an electric field provided by a tool.
16. 16 . A method for assembling a system for an electric bicycle, the method comprising: providing the kit of claim 15 ; and, coupling the first locking element and the second locking element to each other to connect the first component and the second component to each other.
17. 17 . A method for disassembling a system for an electric bicycle, the method comprising: providing the system of claim 1 ; positioning the tool over at least one of the first component and the second component; and, detaching the first component from the second component or vice versa.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority of German patent application no. 102024132 024.9, filed November 4, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD A system for an electric bicycle is described. In addition, an electric bicycle, a component for an electric bicycle, a kit for an electric bicycle, a method for assembling a system for an electric bicycle, and a method for disassembling a system for an electric bicycle are described. BACKGROUND Bicycles are a cost-effective, easy-to-use, and emission-free means of transportation. They have also become popular as sports and fitness equipment, and certain types have proven to be particularly suitable for different athletic applications. In recent years, enthusiasm for electric bicycles (especially so-called “pedelecs”) has been growing, despite their high weight and price compared to conventional bicycles. With electric bicycles, it is important to protect important and expensive components from theft. SUMMARY One task to be solved is to provide a system for an electric bicycle that contributes to reliable theft protection. Further tasks to be solved are to specify an electric bicycle with such a system, a component for such a system, a kit for such a system, and a method for assembling and disassembling such a system. First, the system for an electric bicycle is specified. In at least one embodiment, the system for an electric bicycle includes a first component and a second component. The two components are connected to each other via a closed locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be opened via a magnetic and/or electric field provided by a tool. The present disclosure is based, among other things, on the realization that a locking mechanism that can be opened using a magnetic and/or electric field can be installed in a particularly inconspicuous manner, in particular, it can be completely hidden. This is not only advantageous for visual reasons, but can actually contribute to greater protection against theft. A potential thief may not recognize where exactly the locking mechanism is located and therefore does not know where to apply the tool. The first and second components are components of the electric bicycle or for the electric bicycle. For example, at least one of the two components is an electronic component, that is, it includes electronics. The two components can be connected to each other exclusively via the locking mechanism, so that opening the locking mechanism allows one component to be completely detached from the other. Alternatively, in addition to the connection via the locking mechanism, there may also be another connection, for example a permanent connection. Opening the locking mechanism would then allow one component to be moved relative to the other component but not to be completely detached. The additional connection could be a hinge connection, for example. In the system, the locking mechanism is in a closed state, that is, the locking mechanism is closed or locked. The locking mechanism contributes at least to a connection between the first component and the second component. The locking mechanism is therefore a connecting or coupling mechanism. When the locking mechanism is in the closed state, the connection established by the locking mechanism is secured, that is, it cannot be released. In other words, the two components are locked or latched together by the locking mechanism. In particular, the connection established by the closed locking mechanism cannot be released without damage without the use of a suitable tool. The locking mechanism can also be referred to as a latching mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured so that it can be opened using a suitable tool. The tool is a key for the locking mechanism. The opening is performed using an electric and/or magnetic field of the tool. To do this, the tool is brought close to the locking mechanism so that the locking mechanism is at least partially within a region of the magnetic and/or electric field in which the field strength is sufficiently high to open it. The locking mechanism can be opened using solely the magnetic and/or electric field provided by the tool. In other words, the locking mechanism can be opened magnetically and/or electrically. For example, the locking mechanism includes a movable element that is moved by a force generated by the magnetic and/or electric field of the tool. The movement then opens the locking mechanism, for example. The tool is a tool that can be handled separately from the locking mechanism. In particular, the magnetic and/or electric field provided by the tool is an external field in relation to the locking mechanism, that is, it is not provided by the locking mechanism itself. For example, the locking mechanism can be opened without contact using the tool, that is, the tool does not have to be brought into contact with the locking mechanism to open it,