Possible different use for a PAS sensor.

[lbz5mc12]

What if one were to attach the PAS sensor to the front fork on a bike and the little wheel of magnets to the hub instead of at the cranks? Wouldn't this in essence give a rider without cruise control the option of pedal assist and/or cruise control? As long as you have a level of assist switch on your bike, the motor is only going to spin as fast as the level allows for. You could basically stop pedaling and because the sensor is at the wheel, it's still spinning so the motor should keep going. Then you just have to make sure to install your brake lever cutoffs so you can kill the motor when you need to stop. The only problem I can foresee is that the sensor would be facing inward toward the wheel as opposed to outwards towards the cranks. However as far as I can remember, there are two wires coming off of the sensor so wouldn't switching them around trick the controller into thinking that the sensor were installed facing the correct direction? I was thinking this would be a great idea for people in European countries who are not allowed to have throttles but only pedal assist.

 

[cal3thousand]

Sounds like a positive reinforcement loop to me... not a good thing with throttle control.

What will happen is that you will stand there, not pedaling but you might nudge the bike enough to enact the PAS sensor, giving you throttle. Which will start moving your bike, which will lead to more throttle input. There's a reason that the PAS is tied to the cranks: There's a freewheel on the drive sprocket. Which is a break in the positive feedback loop.

 

[lbz5mc12]

I'm talking about not using an actual throttle at all. Only using the PAS sensor to get the bike to move. If you keep the brake squeezed like I always do when I'm stopped, then that shouldn't happen. I've also noticed on most PAS sensors, it takes a couple full revolutions of the cranks before it kicks in. You do make a good point however.

 

[jaz1902]

Beginning of a great thread...

 

[JennyB]

Leave go of bike while facing down slope.
Bike disappears over horizon.