Modular Electric Bicycle
This concept enables competition between multiple manufacturers of standardized component parts of an electric bicycle. This would be similar to the way that computer parts from multiple different manufacturers can easily be used to build a customized computer. The bicycle is comprised of standardized parts; for example, several different battery packs would be available with different quality and performance characteristics, but all would fit into the same location in the standardized bike frame, and similarly for all of the other major components.
Creating a customized bicycle would be a mix and match deal in the sense that the electric bicycle can be created by combining a frame from one manufacturer, battery and battery control module as a unit from a second manufacturer, motor-generator drives for the wheels of the bicycle from a third manufacturer, and of course also handlebars seats and wheels from different manufacturers, as is customarily done by bike shops today.
The business concept is to enable fully interchangeable parts through standardization combined with certification testing. The new company will be something like Consumer Reports or Underwriters Laboratories.
Any manufacturer who wants to be certified for their component part would have to agree to independent lab testing. All test results would be searchable. The manufacturer would not be allowed to hide any negative test results. In addition to the certification samples, the service would sample actual bicycle parts after they are in production. All these results would be published, and any out-of-spec results would result in loss of certification until all the problems are resolved. Ongoing quality control of this nature is normally entrusted to the manufacturer and/or regulatory agencies like the National Transportation Safety Board. This mechanism puts quality control into the hands of the consumer.
Fees paid by a manufacturer will be adequate to cover this random testing of actual shift parts. Independent laboratories may be subcontracted to perform the tests. Any samples will be blinded to these subcontractor laboratories.
Results on various suppliers’ standard components would be published. A higher-end version of the product might use a contact carbon composite framework whereas an aluminum or steel alloy framework would also be available.
Similarly for the battery. Someone who needs a long-range might buy the state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery or a hybrid motor-generator + battery option, but lower-cost alternatives will also be available and all of them will fit into the same standardized location and the framework of the bicycle.
Because different technologies may be used for the battery module, this module should also include the battery management system and the system that will receive DC power for the motors as well as input power for charging the batteries, either from the grid or from an onboard backup power generator unit.
The automobile industry has long relied on suppliers to make the components. Typically the auto company just makes the engine and the body of a car. The consumer is given no choice about the quality of the components that go into a car. The methodology suggested here for the modular electric bicycle will enable competition between parts suppliers based on engineering specs and performance as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach.
Many bicycles sold in America or Europe are already put together by bicycle shops that combine components from multiple manufacturers. The business that I am thinking of really takes over the quality control and reporting functions.
The ultimate consumer can have a menu from the bike shop. They can pick a cheap frame or a carbon fiber frame. They can pick the very top-of-the-line lithium-ion battery or a pretty low functional lead-acid battery and everything in between. It is the standardization that makes this idea work.
