Patent, Freedom E-Bike (Brompton + Tongxin + A123)

[daniel.weck]

A while ago, some of us on this forum spotted an article with a mention of Andrew Hamilton applying for a patent in relation to his Freedom E-Bike kit:

Freedom E-Bikes - Home

Easy rider « Insight on Israel

Some may argue that the product is similar to some well-known prior art, i.e. the "Nano" Brompton kit:

The Electric Wheel Company homepage

However, this patent (granted in Australia) named "Bicycle drive" actually describes the portability / detachability qualities of the kit, thanks to a multi-pin connector very much like Jerry Simon's own e-Brompton (a fellow DIY'er on this forum), linking a small LiFePO4 battery pack (cylindrical A123 cells, actually) and the controller attached together.

The details of the patent are freely available to read here:

Full PDF:
http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/aub/pdf/nps/2009/1112/2009101006A4/2009101006.pdf

There is an interesting technical introduction to support claims about prior art's shortcomings, with some statements that the most astute e-bikers on this forum will probably find amusing

All documents:
AU-A, B, C Patent Specifications

Landing page for application No 2009101006:
IP Australia: AusPat Application Details

 

[z0mb13e]

I nearly lost the will to live trying to read that!

Given that I pretty much scrolled over the last 10 pages, I was left wondering exactly what it was he was trying to patent... the use of a single connector to connect multiple sections of a circuit together? (Damn! If only someone had thought of that sooner!) or the ability to remove the battery and controller (which he taped together)?

This just proves that patent offices aren't qualified to decide if a patent should be granted or not... personally speaking I would rather the bar for patent applications be set a lot higher these days especially considering how easy it is to find prior art...

 

[eddieo]

Beyond me... the drawings have a nice Mayan simplicity

you've been very quiet recently Dan....working on an e bike epic to rival Avatar I wonder, with your spy DV recorder?

 

[daniel.weck]

you've been very quiet recently Dan....working on an e bike epic to rival Avatar I wonder, with your spy DV recorder?

LOL, I wish !!

Work keeps me busy, but once things cool down I plan to spend some time adding this baby to my spare bike (and I will patent it too):

PS: geeky Flux Capacitor joke, for those who were born this century.

 

[jerrysimon]

PS: geeky Flux Capacitor joke, for those who were born this century.

Hilarious Dan

I really don't understand the need to patent the connector and A123 cell config either. The cell config is not unique you can buy 6 A123 cells connected in that config easily elsewhere. A123 cells are not unique to ebikes and its been done before.

Good job my cells are in a diff config

And I am using a different plug

And my battery/controller are seperated and in different pouches, isolated by a switch and protected with a fuse. Oh and my plug includes two further connections for safety cutout brakes

In summary it is good that Freedom E offer the kit and I aplaud them for it, given how hard it it to source for Bromtpon owners who don't want to/can't build their own, but I think this is just silly.

Oh well

Regards

Jerry

 

[jerrysimon]

PS maybe I will patent my unigue plug storage arrangement when not in use

Jerry

 

[daniel.weck]

As said before, I love your plug arrangement!
The ideal setup would be like the Nano/Electric-Wheel-Company "snap-on" electric luggage socket, but with all the required connections instead of just the +/- power leads. That would be a kick-ass design

 

[jerrysimon]

I agree Dan a connector in the mounting block for all components, would be the most elegant solution for sure.

I have to say that all the credit here should really go to Tony Castles for coming up with the (Nano Motor) Tongxin solution for a Brompton in the first place.

PS I see EWC have finally updated their site. Looks good

PPS and they have cycle to work scheme available!

Regards

Jerry

 

[daniel.weck]

Someone on Bikes-Forum.net reviewed the Freedom E-Bike kit:

"
I bought a Freedom E-Bike conversion kit last Fall for my Swift Folder and have used it extensively. Others in the market for an electric kit might find my experience and thoughts helpful. The seller’s website is Freedom E-Bikes - Home. The kit consists of a matched wheel with 250 watt, 36 volt motor, small lithium battery, controller, and twist grip throttle.
First, it’s everything the seller promises: about 7 pounds for the new wheel with motor and small battery and controller which fit easily into the carrier I’ve installed over the rear wheel. They matched my wheel perfectly, it was easy to install, it’s very easy to set up and use, the promised charge rate (about one and half hours) and top speed (about 15 mph) are accurate, and, again as promised, its range is around 9 miles (flat) and 5 miles uphill. For a small town like Santa Barbara, where I am very privileged to live, it’s just about perfect because it gets me home (in lower Mission Canyon) from downtown, a steady uphill ride.
Second, I did run into some problems: the wire between the motor and controller had been spliced very poorly (stripped, soldered and covered with electrical tape) rather than properly crimped and covered with heat-shrink tubing. It broke on installation. After fixing the broken wire, I returned home after a ride and left the battery plugged in to the controller. The next day, it was completely discharged and ruined because these kind of lithium cells apparently cannot be deeply discharged. This seems odd because other equipment powered by lithium batteries can be deeply discharged (my toothbrush, iPhone, etc.) and they bounce back nicely with no apparent loss in charging capability. No instructions at all were included with the kit warning about this potential problem. The owners of the company were very good about these problems: they replaced the battery at no cost to me and are now including an instruction sheet with the kit to avoid this problem in the future. And, they have assured me that the run of wire between the motor and controller will either be continuous or done with proper crimping.
The standard kit also comes with a twist throttle, probably the least preferable method of controlling your speed. The owners tell me they are working on a thumb throttle, either standard or as an option, which should prove easier and less tiring to use. That would be another good improvement.
So, all in all, I recommend this kit, especially for a folder or lightweight standard bike that you want to keep light. If weight is not a problem, and especially if you have longer distances to travel, you will probably want a larger battery, so this kit might not be ideal.
Full disclosure: I offered to write an accurate review, good or bad, for a ten percent price reduction. The seller agreed. I’ve tried to write this review accordingly, without being influenced by that deal, and, FWIW, I think I’ve done so.
"

Review: Freedom E-Bike conversion kit

 

[Uningles]

Prior art is not the only thing that a patent such as this can be challenged on. One can argue that the method or aparatus was obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time.

However, the key words here are challenge and argument. Invariably this means having enough legal resources to prove the patent worthless, which is always a risk, given the grey areas involved.

Much cheaper to just patent everything and anything and much more effective if you also have big legal guns that can be brought to bear against any pipsqueak competitor who will invariably settle for a license to use the patented technology rather than risk losing an expensive court action.

The stupidity of the patent system is in the ease and comparative low cost with which one can patent just about anything in a "fringe area", with just a few choice, well-chosen, phrases.