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SANYO Announces the “eneloop bike” Electric Hybrid Bicycle


WEBWIRE

Charge while riding: Industry’s first*1 new standard compatible*2, with an assist ratio of 1:2*2

Tokyo – SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) is proud to announce another new eneloop universe product, an electric hybrid bicycle—the eneloop bike. The eneloop bike has been designed to be the industry’s first*1 to conform to the newest standards*2, offering a “Power-up Mode” assist ratio of up to 1:2*2 making riding the bicycle more comfortable, a new “loop charge function”*3 that generates electricity and charges the battery while in use, and a “two-wheel drive system” provide a safer, more stable ride. The new eneloop bike will be on sale in Japan in early February 2009.

SANYO, based on its ‘Think GAIA’ brand vision and the eneloop concept stressing ‘looping energy’ or stressing a lifestyle of reusing and recycling, created the ‘eneloop universe’ in 2006. The eneloop bike announced today will become a part of this product series, as it accurately represents both looping energy and consideration for the environment in a reusable system. With this new product, clean and reusable energy is “Generated, Recharged, and Conserved” simultaneously. Energy is generated by the rider, recharging the auxiliary battery, and conserving the energy both from the main battery and the rider.

1. Industry’s First*1 to conform to the newest standards*2 with “Power-up Mode” assist ratio of up to 1:2*2 for more comfort

- Conforms to newly revised road traffic law enforcement regulations effective as of December 1, 2008 allowing motor to human power, assist ratio, to 1:2
- Power-up Mode offers riders more comfort by assisting more with its smooth assistance control
- New ratio allows riders to pedal up steep hills effortlessly
- SANYO’s proprietary ‘smooth assistance control’*4 aids with balancing the bicycle when pedaling starts, and allows a smooth ride

*1 For power-assisted bicycles in Japan that are scheduled to be released at the beginning of February 2009.
*2 A Cabinet Office regulation to be enforced on December 1, 2008 that revises the drive assist ratio for the motor drive-assisted bicycles that is provided in the road traffic law enforcement regulations.
The ratio of motor power to human power (assist ratio) will become 1:2 in a low-speed area of less than 10 km/h.
*3 The “Loop Charge Function” is a generic name of the “Brake Charge” where the motor changes to the dynamo and the battery is auxiliarily charged by a left brake lever operation when the bike slows down on a downhill for example, and the function where the motor brake automatically works while the bike coasts downhill in “Auto Mode” and the battery is auxiliarily charged. Even with the use of “Loop Charge”, the battery needs to be charged daily with a dedicated charger.
*4: As of December 2008 for assist bicycles in Japan for the running mode automatically controlling the optimal recharging rate downhill and the assist “power-up” for uphill.

2. “Loop Charge Function”*3 provides efficiency and comfort while generating electricity and charging the battery while riding

- Original “Loop Charge Function”*3 conserves riders’ energy as it charges the battery on energy produced during downhill runs or slowing down
- “Loop Charge Function” *3 is based on “Brake Charge System” and “Auto Mode”
- “Brake Charge System” generates electricity by switching the motor from dynamic (on downhill runs) to auxiliary (when rear brake is in operation) charge or back while on the go
- “Auto Mode” detects various road conditions, such as gradients determining uphill or downhill, automatically adjusting to create optimum comfort while saving the rider’s energy
- Auxiliary charging while riding decreases the number of times the battery needs to be charged with a dedicated charger (normal charge still requires a dedicated charger)
- SANYO proprietary*4 technology designed so that typical bicycle riding based on company riding standard patterns will result in an increase of up to 1.8 times the distance of riding compared to the non-recharge mode
- “Loop Charge Function” aims to be compatible with the new standards*2 while maintaining as light a body as possible for assist power

*2: A Cabinet Office regulation to be enforced on December 1, 2008 that revises the drive assist ratio for the motor drive-assisted bicycles that is provided in the road traffic law enforcement regulations.
*3: The “Loop Charge Function” is a generic name of the “Brake Charge” where the motor changes to the dynamo and the battery is auxiliarily charged by a left brake lever operation when the bike slows down on a downhill for example, and the function where the motor brake automatically works while the bike coasts downhill in “Auto Mode” and the battery is auxiliarily charged. Even with the use of “Loop Charge”, the battery needs to be charged daily with a dedicated charger.
*4: As of December 2008 for assist bicycles in Japan for the running mode automatically controlling the optimal recharging rate downhill and the assist “power-up” for uphill.

How the “Loop Charge Function” works

Riding conditions
* SANYO standard pattern (Standard Mode): Approximately 15 km/h over 1 km of flat ground, approx. 10 km/h on an uphill slope gradient of 2 over 1 km, approx. 15 km/h over 1 km of flag ground, approx. 20 km/h on a downhill slope gradient of 2 over 1 km, approx. 15 km/h over 1 km of flat ground, and repeating the above riding conditions.
(However, when using the motor brake on downhill slopes the speed is approx. 10km/h)
(Gear position: on uphill gradient 2, gear 2; others, gear 3)
*SANYO standard pattern (Auto Mode): Approximately 15 km/h over 1 km of flat ground, approx. 10 km/h on an uphill slope gradient of 2 over 1 km, approx. 15 km/h over 1 km of flag ground, approx. 10 km/h on a downhill slope gradient of 2 over 1 km while the motor brake is applied automatically, (Gear position: on uphill gradient 2, gear 2; others, gear 3)
Course image:
*The numbers used to depict distance are only target estimates. They are not guaranteed distances for a single charge. The distance that can be travelled on a single charge is subject to varying road conditions and the way the bicycle is ridden.
*Testing conditions: new battery, outside temperature of 20℃, no wind, no front or rear lights, carrying a weight of 60kg (including rider and luggage)
*Travelable distance reduced if tire pressure is different than recommended amount.
*Travelable distance temporarily reduced in winter or when temperatures are low.
3. “Two-wheel Drive System” allows safer, more stable ride

- Increased stability from “Two-wheel Drive” where rear wheel is driven by human pedaling power and the front wheel is driven by motorized power
- Bike transmits assist power via motor power to the front wheel as pedaling power is applied to the rear wheel based on the movement of the chain
- As power is applied to both wheels, it is applied in a balanced manner, providing a natural-feeling, stable and safe ride

Two-wheel Drive System Overview

4. Other Features

Taillight brake lamp promotes safety
- Three high-intensity red LED lights flash on and off when the headlight is in operation
- Taillight LEDs flash faster when rear break is in operation, drawing attention of those behind

Low frame and low saddle design
- Lower frame and saddle allow easy step-through and mounting
- Seat height is adjustable from 24-inch to 26-inch framing
- Adjustable saddle range of 18cm to provide flexibility for riders regardless of height

‘Kurupita’*5 handle lock allows convenient parking
- One-touch operation prevents handle from wobbling when parking

Neatly-designed frame with internal cabling
- Cables for brake, gear, and electric wiring are put into the frames to prevent tangling and to give the bike a finished and neat appearance

Three speeds allow smooth riding
- Bike has three-speed gear for easy shifting by hand depending on road conditions O-lock for security
- Sturdy lock made of die-cast stainless steel adds more security to prevent theft Comfortable saddle for tireless riding
- Shape of the seating surface combined with shock-absorbing elastomer cusion decreases rider fatigue

*5 ‘Kurupita’ is the registered brand of Shimano Co., Ltd.



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