JP2015029414A - Regenerative brake system and vehicle provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a regenerative brake system for an electric vehicle, which can appropriately and easily control a regenerative braking amount depending on a brake operation amount, and a vehicle therewith.SOLUTION: A regenerative brake system comprises a brake mechanism to apply a braking force to wheels, a brake operation unit to generate a brake operation amount, a brake operation amount transmitter 50 to transmit a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism, a brake operation force sensor 68 to detect a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmitter, a drive unit to apply a driving force to wheels and apply a regenerative braking force to wheels depending on a brake operation force detected by the brake operation force sensor when the brake operation unit is operated, a power storage unit to receive regenerative electric power from the drive unit, and a brake operation reaction generator 70 to apply a brake operation reaction to the brake operation amount transmitter depending on a regeneration amount from the drive unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a regenerative brake device used for an electric vehicle including a motor such as an electric assist bicycle, a motorcycle, and an automobile, and a vehicle including the same.

  In general, an electrically assisted bicycle includes a motor that assists in driving the wheel, and controls the torque of the motor in accordance with the torque applied to the pedal. A regenerative electric power can be obtained from the motor during braking of the electrically assisted bicycle, and an electrically assisted bicycle including a regenerative braking device that charges a power storage device such as a battery by the regenerative electric power during braking has been proposed.

  As such a regenerative braking device, a regenerative switch that is turned on in a play portion of an operation of a normal brake mechanism that performs braking by friction (an operation region in which no braking action is generated by the brake mechanism even when the brake lever is operated) is regenerated by a regenerative switch. An apparatus for operating braking has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a regenerative brake device that controls the regenerative amount in accordance with the operation amount of the brake lever has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-149001 A JP 2003-204602 A

  In the above-described regenerative braking device, when braking is operated by the regenerative switch, it is difficult to change the regenerative amount so that it becomes the braking amount desired by the operator. In addition, in the case of a device that controls the regeneration amount by the amount of operation of the brake lever, the range of the operation amount is limited to the play range of the brake lever. . Furthermore, in the regenerative braking device described above, the brake operation sensation may not match the actual deceleration feeling, which may cause the operator to feel uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a regenerative braking device for an electric vehicle capable of appropriately and easily adjusting a regenerative braking amount according to a brake operation amount, and a vehicle including the same. It is to provide.

  A regenerative brake device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a brake mechanism that applies braking force to wheels, a brake operation unit that generates a brake operation amount, and a brake operation amount that transmits the brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism. A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the transmission unit, a brake operation amount transmission unit, and a brake operation detected by the brake operation force sensor during operation of the brake operation unit while applying a driving force to the wheels. A driving device that applies a regenerative braking force according to force to the wheels, a power storage device that receives regenerative electric power from the driving device, and a brake operation reaction force that corresponds to the regenerative amount from the driving device to the brake operation amount transmission unit. And a braking operation reaction force generator to be applied.

  A vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes a motor, a wheel to which rotation of the motor is transmitted, a brake mechanism that applies a braking force to the wheel, a brake operation unit that generates a brake operation amount, and the brake operation A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the vehicle to the brake mechanism, a brake operation force sensor that detects a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmission unit, and a driving force applied to the wheels, and the brake operation A drive device that applies a regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operation force detected by the brake operation force sensor during operation of the unit, a power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device, and a regenerative amount from the drive device And a brake operation reaction force generating device that applies a brake operation reaction force according to the above to the brake operation amount transmission unit.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a regenerative braking device for a vehicle that can appropriately and easily adjust the regenerative braking amount according to the brake operation amount, and a vehicle including the same.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an electrically assisted bicycle including a regenerative braking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrically assisted bicycle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a rear wheel brake mechanism of the electrically assisted bicycle. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the rear wheel brake mechanism. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a brake lever of the rear wheel brake mechanism. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the regenerative brake device. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the regenerative brake device. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a regenerative braking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a regenerative braking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of magnetic flux in the regenerative braking device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of magnetic flux in the regenerative braking device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control system of a regenerative brake device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a brake operation reaction force generator of the regenerative brake device according to the fourth embodiment. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the brake operation reaction force generator taken along line AA in FIG. 13. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the brake reaction reaction force generator taken along line B-B in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state in which the brake operation reaction force generator is incorporated in a rear brake of a bicycle. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating operating characteristics of the regenerative brake device and the mechanical brake. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating changes in the core interval, the brake wire reaction force, and the mechanical brake amount (braking amount) with respect to changes in the inner wire pulling amount when the battery is fully charged and the regenerative brake cannot be operated. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the brake operation reaction force generator when reaction force is generated. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the brake operation reaction force generator taken along line AA in FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the brake reaction reaction force generator taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the brake operation reaction force generator when the mechanical brake is operated to the maximum. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the brake operation reaction force generator taken along line AA in FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the brake operation reaction force generator taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 25 is a side view showing a state in which the brake operation reaction force generator is incorporated in a front brake of a bicycle. FIG. 26 is a side view showing a state in which the brake operation reaction force generator is incorporated in another front brake of the bicycle. FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a regenerative braking device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle drive device equipped with a regenerative brake device according to the first embodiment, and an electric assist bicycle as an electric vehicle. This electrically assisted bicycle includes a body frame 10, which includes a head pipe 11 positioned in front of the vehicle body, a down pipe 12 extending downward and rearward from the head pipe 11, and an upper end from the vicinity of the end portion of the down pipe 12. And a seat post 14 that rises. A handle 16 is rotatably inserted into the upper portion of the head pipe 11 via a handle post 15, and a front fork 18 connected to the handle post 15 is supported at the lower portion of the head pipe 11. A front wheel FW is rotatably supported at the lower end of the front fork 18.

  A pair of left and right chain stays 20 extend rearward from the lower end of the seat post 14, and a rear wheel RW is pivotally supported between the terminal ends of the chain stays 20. A pair of left and right seat stays 21 are provided between the upper portion of the seat post 14 and the terminal ends of both chain stays 20. A seat pipe 24 having a seat 22 at its upper end is slidably mounted on the seat post 14 so that the height of the seat 22 can be adjusted.

  A crankshaft 26 is rotatably supported at a lower end portion of the seat post 14, and a pedal 28 is pivotally supported via cranks 27 at both left and right ends of the crankshaft 26. A first sprocket 30 is fixed to the crankshaft 26 and is rotatably supported integrally with the crankshaft 26. A second sprocket 32 that rotates integrally with the rear wheel is attached to the pivot of the rear wheel RW, and a chain 34 is hung on the second sprocket 32 and the first sprocket 30. By rotating the first sprocket 30 by the pedal 28 and the crank 27, it is possible to transmit the manpower driving force to the second sprocket 32 and the rear wheel RW via the chain 34.

  The electric assist bicycle, as an electric drive device, controls, for example, a motor 36 that is built in a hub of the rear wheel RW and drives the rear wheel, a battery 38 that supplies electric power to the motor 36, and electric power supply to the motor. And a later-described control circuit. Further, for example, the handle 16 is provided with a power switch 17 for switching the power on and off. The battery 38 is attached to the rear portion of the seat post 14. The battery 38 is accommodated in a storage case, and is detachably attached to the seat post 14 via a battery bracket. The battery 38 includes a plurality of battery cells, and is installed along the seat post 14 so that the longitudinal direction is substantially vertical. With such an electric drive device, the rear wheel RW is driven using the motor 36 as a drive source.

  The electrically assisted bicycle includes a brake mechanism that applies a braking force to the wheels and a regenerative brake device that will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, brake levers are provided at both left and right ends of the handle 16 as brake operation units that generate a brake operation amount. As with a normal bicycle, a rear brake lever 40A is attached to the left end portion of the handle 16 on the left side and a front brake lever 40B is attached to the right end portion of the handle 16 for a passenger.

  The front wheel brake mechanism that brakes the front wheel FW includes a side brake 42 that is attached to the front fork 18 and presses a brake shoe against the rim of the front wheel FW to brake the front wheel FW. The side brake 42 is connected to the front brake lever 40B via a brake wire. By operating the front brake lever 40B to the grip side of the handle 16, the brake wire is pulled and the side brake 42 is operated.

  As a rear wheel brake mechanism for braking the rear wheel RW, a drum-shaped brake 44 is provided at the center of the rear wheel RW. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drum-shaped brake 44 includes a disc-shaped brake drum 46, which is arranged around the pivot F of the rear wheel RW fixed to the vehicle body frame 10. It is rotatably installed together with the wheel RW. The brake drum 46 has an annular portion 46 a that is positioned coaxially with the pivot axis F. Inside the brake drum 46, a brake shoe 48 that slides against the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 46a and brakes the rotation of the brake drum 46, that is, the rotation of the rear wheel RW, is installed. The brake shoe 48 is moved outward by the operation of the rear brake lever 40A provided on the handle 16, and is pressed against the annular portion 46a. The brake operation amount of the rear brake lever 40a is transmitted to the brake 44 via the rear brake wire 50 that functions as a brake operation amount transmission unit.

  The brake holding portion 52 covers the outside of the brake 44. Further, the brake holding portion 52 has an arm portion 52 a extending forward, and this arm portion 52 a is fixed to the chain stay 20 of the vehicle body frame 10. The rear brake wire 50 has an inner wire 50a and an outer tube 50b that covers the periphery of the inner wire, and the inner wire 50a is movably inserted into the outer tube.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a fixed portion 52b is formed at the front end portion of the arm portion 52a, and the rear end of the outer tube 50b is fixed to the fixed portion 52b. The inner wire 50 a of the rear brake wire 50 extends further rearward from the fixing portion 52 b and is fixed to the connecting member 54. The connecting member 54 is connected to an extension bar (not shown) that operates the brake shoe 48. As is well known, the fixing portion 52b is provided with an adjusting screw 56 and a fixing nut 58 for adjusting the length of the rear brake wire 50.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the other end of the rear brake wire 50 is connected to the rear brake lever 40A. As described above, the rear brake lever 40 </ b> A is rotatably supported by the lever bracket 60 in the vicinity of the grip 16 a of the handle 16. A pivot shaft 61 is provided on the lever bracket 60, and the rear brake lever 40 </ b> A is provided so as to be rotatable around the pivot shaft 61. The end of the outer tube 50b of the rear brake wire 50 is fixed to the lever bracket 60, and the inner wire 50a is connected to the rear brake lever 40A.

  With such a structure, when the inner wire 50a of the rear brake wire 50 is pulled by the operation of grasping and tightening the rear brake lever 40A toward the grip 16a, the connecting member 54 is displaced, the extension bar is moved, and the brake shoe 48 is operated. The rear wheel RW is braked.

  In the electrically assisted bicycle having the above configuration, when the pedal 28 is depressed, the crank 27 rotates the first sprocket 30, and the first sprocket 30 rotates the rear wheel RW via the chain 34 and the second sprocket 32. When the rear wheel RW is driven by stepping on the pedal 28, torque by human power is detected and electric power is supplied from the battery 38 to the motor 36, and the motor 36 assists in driving the rear wheel RW. In the electrically assisted bicycle, in a region slower than the set speed, the electric power supplied to the motor 36 is set so that the rotational torque at which the motor 36 drives the rear wheel RW and the rotational torque at which the pedal 28 drives the rear wheel RW are the same. I have control. When the bicycle reaches the set speed, the motor 36 does not drive the rear wheel RW. At this time, the ratio of the rotational torque at which the motor 36 drives the rear wheel RW and the rotational torque at which the pedal 28 drives the rear wheel RW varies according to the speed of the bicycle, that is, the rotational speed of the rear wheel RW. Also good.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the electric drive device. The electric drive device is connected between the battery 38 and the motor 36, which controls the electric power supplied from the battery 38 to the motor 36, and is connected between the torque sensor 62 that detects the torque by which the depression force of the pedal 28 drives the rear wheel RW. And a control circuit 64. In addition, the control circuit 64 supplies regenerative power generated by the motor 36 to the battery 38 and stores it during regenerative braking.

  Next, the regenerative braking device provided in the electrically assisted bicycle will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the regenerative braking device 66 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the crank 27 and below the vehicle body frame 10, and between the rear brake lever 40A and the rear brake mechanism, here, the brake 44. Is installed. The regenerative brake device 66 has a brake operation force sensor 68, a brake operation reaction force generator 70, and a case 71 that accommodates them, and the rear brake wire 50 extends through the regenerative brake device 66.

  The brake operation force sensor 68 is disposed closer to the rear brake lever 40A than the brake operation reaction force generator 70, and detects the tension generated in the inner wire 50a of the rear brake wire 50. The brake operation force sensor 68 includes a plurality of, for example, three pulleys 72 provided side by side in the housing 67 and a pressure sensor 74 that detects a pressure acting on the middle pulley. The outer tube 50 b of the rear brake wire 50 is fixed to the case 71, and the inner wire 50 a extends through the case 71 and the housing 67 and engages with the three pulleys 72.

  When the rear brake lever 40 </ b> A is operated and the inner wire 50 a is pulled, the brake operation force sensor 68 converts the tension generated in the inner wire 50 a by the pulley 72 into pressure to the pressure sensor 74. The brake operation force sensor 68 detects the pressure by the pressure sensor 74 and detects the tension of the brake wire. A detection signal from the pressure sensor 74 is output to the control circuit 64.

  The brake operation reaction force generator 70 includes a cylindrical core magnetic body 78 fixed to the inner wire 50a by a core fastening body 76, and a cylindrical outer periphery configured to surround the core magnetic body and form a magnetic path. A magnetic body 80 and an annular magnet 82 incorporated in the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 are provided. The core magnetic body 78 is supported so as to be movable in the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 integrally with the inner wire 50a. The magnet 82 gives a magnetomotive force to the magnetic path formed by the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80. A coil 84 is installed in the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 and is located around the core magnetic body 78. The coil 84 is connected to the control circuit 64 described above, and a DC current regenerated from the motor 36 to the battery 38 flows through the coil 84. The core magnetic body 78, the outer peripheral magnetic body 80, and the coil 84 constitute a reaction force application unit that generates a brake operation reaction force by the regenerative current from the motor 36 and applies it to the brake wire 50.

  In the regenerative braking device 66 configured in this manner, when the rear brake lever 40A is operated, the inner wire 50a of the brake wire 50 is pulled to the rear brake lever 40A side (left side in FIG. 7) by the rear brake lever 40A. The core magnetic body 78 is pulled to the left by the inner wire 50a, and the facing area between the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 is reduced. At this time, since the magnetic flux is generated in the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 by the magnet 82, the core magnetic body 78 tries to return to the original position, that is, the brake mechanism side (the right side in the drawing). Force is generated, and the inner wire 50a is pulled in a direction opposite to the brake operation direction. Thereby, tension is generated in the inner wire 50a. In the present embodiment, the magnet is used. However, the inner wire 50a is pulled in the direction opposite to the brake operation direction even by a spring that returns the brake 44 to a state where the brake is not applied. A tension is generated in the inner wire 50a by the operation of 40A. For this reason, there may be a regenerative braking device 66 that does not use the magnet 82.

  This tension is converted into a pressure to the pressure sensor 74 by the pulley 72 of the brake operation force sensor 68 and detected by the pressure sensor 74. A detection signal from the pressure sensor 74 is sent to the control circuit 64. When the brake operation force sensor 68 detects the occurrence of tension, the control circuit 64 uses the motor 36 as a generator to start regeneration. At this time, the control circuit 64 controls the regeneration amount from the motor 36 according to the tension of the brake wire 50 detected by the brake operation force sensor 68. That is, the regeneration amount is increased as the tension of the inner wire 50a is increased. Since the regenerative braking amount of the rear wheel RW by the motor 36 changes according to the regenerative amount, the regenerative braking amount can be controlled according to the tension of the inner wire 50a.

  The regenerative current generated from the motor 36 due to regeneration and stored in the battery 38 flows through the coil 84 in the brake operation reaction force generator 70. A magnetomotive force is generated for the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 by the current flowing through the coil 84, and the force with which the core magnetic body 78 is pulled back toward the rear wheel brake mechanism by the increased magnetic flux increases. Thereby, the tension | tensile_strength of the inner wire 50a increases and the reaction force which acts on 40 A of rear brake levers increases. When the operator feels that the regenerative braking is more than necessary due to the reaction force from the rear brake lever 40A, etc., if the force applied to the rear brake lever 40A is loosened, the tension of the brake wire 50 becomes small. Thus, the regenerative braking force can be reduced. Thereby, the amount of regenerative braking can be controlled appropriately.

  The tension of the inner wire 50a is transmitted as a reaction force to the rear brake lever 40A. Therefore, the operator of the rear brake lever 40A can feel the magnitude of the regenerative braking force by the reaction force when the rear brake lever 40A is gripped.

  In the regenerative braking device 66 configured as described above, since the regenerative braking force is controlled by the tension acting on the inner wire 50a of the brake wire 50, the amount of operation of the rear brake lever 40A (the amount by which the brake wire is moved) is small. May be. Therefore, a sufficient amount of regenerative braking can be controlled within the range of play of the brake mechanism. At this time, the operator of the rear brake lever 40A can feel the regenerative braking amount as a brake operation reaction force from the rear brake lever 40A, so that the regenerative braking amount can be operated by changing the force to grip the brake lever. can do. At this time, if the regenerative braking amount is sufficient, the brake 44 is not braked, so that the braking energy is effectively charged in the battery.

  Since the braking amount by the brake 44 is also controlled by pressing the brake shoe 48 against the brake drum 46 in accordance with the tension of the brake wire 50, the regenerative brake of this embodiment is a normal brake mechanism having no regenerative brake. There is little discomfort compared.

  When the rear brake lever 40A is released, the core magnetic body 78 returns to the original position, so that the force acting between the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 is lost. At this time, no matter how much the regenerative current flows in the coil 84, no force is generated between the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80. For this reason, the tension of the inner wire 50a is eliminated and the detection signal of the pressure sensor 74 is also eliminated. Thereby, the control circuit 64 ends the regeneration from the motor 36 and the power storage to the battery 38. The same applies to the case where the drive current from the battery 38 to the motor 36 flows in the coil 84. Therefore, when the motor 36 is driven, tension is generated in the brake wire 50, and regenerative braking is unnecessarily generated. Will not occur.

  In order to prevent regenerative braking from occurring even by a slight operation of the rear brake lever 40A, the length of the core magnetic body 78 may be made longer than that of the outer peripheral magnetic body 80. In such a configuration, no force is generated between the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 until the end of the core magnetic body 78 moves inward from the end of the outer peripheral magnetic body 80. Operational play can be made in the regenerative brake device 66.

  When the rotational speed of the motor 36 decreases and the regenerative amount, that is, the regenerative braking amount decreases, the amount of regenerative current flowing through the coil 84 decreases and the force that the core magnetic body 78 tries to return also decreases. Therefore, when a force for gripping the rear brake lever 40A is continuously applied to brake, the inner wire 50a is pulled out to the brake lever side, and the brake shoe 48 of the brake 44 is pressed against the brake drum 46. When the brake shoe 48 is pressed against the brake drum 46, tension is generated in the brake wire 50, and thus the force for gripping the rear brake lever 40A is continued. As described above, according to the regenerative braking device 66, the transition from the regenerative braking to the braking by the normal brake mechanism (brake 44) can be performed without a sense of incongruity. This is the same when the battery 38 is fully charged and the regeneration is terminated. And even if regenerative braking fails or breaks, it is possible to brake the wheels with a normal brake mechanism and maintain high safety.

  It should be noted that the brake mechanism that shifts from regenerative braking is less likely to feel uncomfortable if it is operated on a wheel that has undergone regenerative braking as in the present embodiment. Therefore, when driving the rear wheel RW by the motor 36, the regenerative braking device 66 according to the present embodiment is provided between the brake mechanism of the rear wheel RW and the rear brake lever, and the front wheel FW is driven by the motor 36. It is preferable to provide a regenerative braking device between the front wheel brake mechanism and the front brake lever.

Further, during sudden braking, the brake lever is held until the brake mechanism is activated. At this time, since tension is also generated in the brake wire, regenerative braking is also performed by detecting the tension. Thereby, a brake mechanism and regenerative braking can also be operated simultaneously.
From the above, a regenerative braking device for an electric vehicle capable of appropriately and easily adjusting the regenerative braking amount according to the brake operation amount is obtained.

  In the present embodiment, when the brake lever is operated, the magnet 82 generates a magnetic flux in the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 to apply tension to the brake wire, and this is detected to start regeneration. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which regeneration is started by a regenerative switch that is turned on when the brake wire moves.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a regenerative brake device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a regenerative braking device according to the second embodiment. Note that in the second embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, the regenerative brake device 66 is applied to an electric vehicle that transmits an operation amount of a brake lever to a brake mechanism by hydraulic pressure. The regenerative brake device 66 includes a brake operation force sensor 68 and a brake operation reaction force generator 70. The brake operating force sensor 68 has a pressure sensor 74 disposed directly in the brake pipe 86 and detects the pressure of the working fluid in the brake pipe 86.

  The brake operation reaction force generator 70 is incorporated in a cylindrical core magnetic body 78, a cylindrical outer magnetic body 80 configured to surround the core magnetic body and form a magnetic path, and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80. And an annular magnet 82. The core magnetic body 78 is supported so as to be movable within the outer peripheral magnetic body 80. The magnet 82 gives a magnetomotive force to the magnetic path formed by the core magnetic body 78 and the outer peripheral magnetic body 80. A coil 84 is installed in the outer peripheral magnetic body 80 and is located around the core magnetic body 78. The coil 84 is connected to a control circuit, and a DC current regenerated from the motor to the battery flows through the coil 84.

  A guide rod 88 is inserted through the central portion of the core magnetic body 78 and can move integrally with the core magnetic body. One end portion of the guide rod 88 protrudes from the core magnetic body 78 and extends through a part of the brake pipe 86. A piston 90 is fixed to the end of the guide rod 88, and the piston 90 is slidably disposed in the brake pipe 86. The piston 90 moves in the brake pipe 86 according to pressure, and the guide rod 88 and the core magnetic body 78 are moved together with the piston. The piston 90 and the guide rod 88 constitute a pressure transmission mechanism that transmits the hydraulic pressure in the brake pipe 86, that is, the operation amount of the brake lever, to the core magnetic body 78.

  According to the regenerative brake device 66 having such a configuration, since the operation amount and the brake operation force of the working fluid in the brake pipe are transmitted to the core magnetic body, the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above is obtained. Can be obtained.

  The regenerative braking device according to the first embodiment is mainly applied to bicycles, and the regenerative braking device according to the second embodiment is considered to be mainly applied to motorcycles. May be applied to both bicycles and motorcycles, and may also be applied to other electric vehicles. Moreover, in 1st and 2nd embodiment, although brake operation was demonstrated with the brake lever, it is good also as a structure which uses a brake pedal.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a regenerative brake device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a regenerative braking device according to a third embodiment. Note that, in the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the regenerative brake device 66 includes a brake operation force sensor 68 and a brake operation reaction force generation device 70, and is installed between the brake lever and the brake mechanism. In the present embodiment, a case where the operation of the brake lever is transmitted to the brake mechanism by the brake wire 50 will be described.

  The brake operation force sensor 68 is disposed closer to the brake lever than the brake operation reaction force generator 70 and detects the tension generated in the brake wire 50. The brake operation force sensor 68 includes, for example, an annular pressure sensor 74 embedded in the middle portion of the outer tube 50 b of the brake wire 50. The brake operation force sensor 68 detects the pressure generated in the outer tube 50b as a reaction force of the tension generated in the inner wire 50a of the brake wire 50 by the pressure sensor 74, and detects the tension of the inner wire 50a. . The control circuit controls the regeneration amount of the motor according to the tension of the inner wire 50a detected by the brake operation force sensor 68.

  The brake operation reaction force generator 70 is connected to the middle part of the brake wire 50. That is, the brake operation reaction force generator 70 is arranged so as to be aligned in the extending direction of the brake wire 50 outside the core magnet 94 and the cylindrical core magnet 94 fixed to the inner wire 50a by the core fastening body 76. The first coil 96a and the second coil 96b, and the cylindrical outer peripheral magnetic body 80 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the first and second coils are provided. The outer peripheral magnetic body 80 forms a return magnetic path for the magnetic flux generated by the core magnet 94 and the first and second coils 96a and 96b, and reduces leakage of the magnetic flux to the outside. The first and second coils 96a and 96b correspond to the coil 84 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  The core magnet 94 and the first and second coils 96a and 96b have a reaction force application unit that applies an electromagnetic force generated in the magnet by the regenerative current and the magnet sent from the motor to the coil as a brake operation reaction force to the inner wire 50a. It is composed.

  The inner wire 50a extends through the brake operation reaction force generator 70, and the core magnet 94 is movable along the axial direction in the first and second coils 96a and 96b integrally with the inner wire 50a. It has become. The outer tube 50 b of the brake wire 50 is fixed to the outer surface of the brake operation reaction force generator 70.

  A DC current regenerated from the motor to the battery flows through the first coil 96a and the second coil 96b. As shown in FIG. 10, the first coil 96a and the second coil 96b are wound in opposite directions. The electromagnetic force generated by the magnetic flux generated from the different magnetic poles at both ends of the core magnet 94 and the current flowing through the first coil 96a and the second coil 96b is configured to be on the same brake lever side. Thus, when a current flows through the first coil 96a and the second coil 96, the core magnet 94 has an electromagnetic force applied to the brake mechanism side as a reaction force of the electromagnetic force generated in the first coil 96a and the second coil 96b. Occurs.

  In the present embodiment, when the current for driving the motor passes through the first and second coils 96a and 96b from the battery, the direction of current is opposite to that during regeneration. Therefore, when the magnetic flux in the same direction as that during regeneration passes through the first and second coils 96a and 96b, the core magnet 94 generates electromagnetic force on the brake lever side, regardless of the intention of the person on board. This is inconvenient because it activates the brake mechanism.

Therefore, when the brake lever is not operated, the core magnet 94 is sufficiently moved to the brake mechanism side, and the end of the core magnet 94 that generates magnetic flux passing through the second coil 96b at the time of regeneration is opposed to the first coil 96a. And it arrange | positions so that the magnetic flux from this end may pass the 1st coil 96a. With this configuration, when the motor is driven, both the current flowing through the first coil 96a and the magnetic flux passing through the first coil 96a are in opposite directions to those during regeneration, so the first coil 96a The electromagnetic force generated on the brake lever side is in the same direction as during regeneration. For this reason, the electromagnetic force generated in the core magnet 94 is on the brake mechanism side, and the brake mechanism does not operate unnecessarily.
In addition, it can also comprise so that the electric current which drives a motor from a battery may not pass the 1st and 2nd coils 96a and 96b by a changeover switch.

  In the regenerative braking device 66 configured as described above, when the brake lever is operated, the brake wire 50 is pulled, and the core magnet 94 fixed to the inner wire 50a moves to the brake lever side (the left side in FIGS. 9 to 11). ) When the core magnet 94 moves to the brake lever side, the first coil 96a and the second coil at the position shown in FIG. 11 rather than the magnitude of the magnetic flux passing through the first coil 96a and the second coil 96b at the position shown in FIG. The magnetic flux passing through 96b is larger. As can be seen from this, the tension acting on the inner wire 50a and the brake lever increases in accordance with the amount of operation of the brake lever. The amount of regenerative braking increases due to this increase in tension.

  The increase in the regenerative braking amount results in an increase in the regenerative DC current amount, and the current flowing through the first coil 96a and the second coil 96b increases. As a result, the electromagnetic force acting on the core magnet 94 is increased and transmitted to the brake lever as an increase in reaction force.

  When the amount of operation of the brake lever is reduced, the core magnet 94 moves from the position shown in FIG. 11 to the direction of the position shown in FIG. 10 (the brake mechanism direction), and the electromagnetic force generated in the core magnet 94 is reduced. The wire tension decreases and the regenerative braking amount decreases.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. That is, according to the regenerative braking device 66 according to the third embodiment, the regenerative braking amount can be operated by operating the brake lever, and the regenerative braking amount can be transmitted as the reaction force of the brake lever. Therefore, the operator of the brake lever can feel the magnitude of the regenerative braking force by the reaction force when holding the brake lever.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a regenerative brake device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the electric drive device including the regenerative brake device according to the second embodiment. Note that in the fourth embodiment, identical parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The electric drive device for the electric assist bicycle controls, for example, a motor 36 built in a hub of the rear wheel RW to drive the rear wheel, a battery 38 for supplying electric power to the motor 36, and supply of electric power to the motor. And a control circuit 64 to be described later. The control circuit 64 supplies regenerative power generated by the motor 36 to the battery 38 and stores it during regenerative braking. The electric drive device further includes a torque sensor 62 that detects torque by which the depression force of the pedal 28 drives the rear wheel RW, and the torque sensor 62 inputs a detection signal to the control circuit 64.

  The regenerative brake device 66 includes a brake operation force sensor 68 and a brake operation reaction force generator 70. The brake operation reaction force generator 70 is provided between the brake operation force sensor 68 and the rear brake 44, and the rear brake wire 50 extends through the regenerative brake device 66. The brake operation force sensor 68 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, for example. In 4th Embodiment, the structure of the brake operation reaction force generator 70 differs from embodiment mentioned above.

  As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, the brake operation reaction force generator 70 according to the present embodiment generates a pair of brake operation reaction forces according to the regeneration amount and the brake operation amount from the electric drive device. It is generated by the repulsive force of the electromagnet and applied to the brake operation amount transmission unit, for example, the brake wire 50. The brake operation reaction force generator 70 includes a pair of electromagnets 102 and 104, and a pair of mounting plates 103a and 103b that movably support these electromagnets. The electromagnet 102 includes a cylindrical core magnetic body 102a, a cylindrical outer peripheral magnetic body 102b configured to surround the core magnetic body 102a to form a magnetic path, and a coil wound around the core magnetic body 102a. 102c. Similarly, the electromagnet 104 is wound around the columnar core magnetic body 104a, the cylindrical outer peripheral magnetic body 104b configured to surround the core magnetic body 104a and form a magnetic path, and the core magnetic body 104a. The coil 104c is provided. The coils 102c and 104c of the electromagnets 102 and 104 are connected to the control circuit 64 described above, and a DC current regenerated from the motor 36 to the battery 38 flows through these coils.

  The pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 are arranged coaxially with each other and facing each other with a gap therebetween. When the regenerative current flows through the coils 102c and 104c, the electromagnets 102 and 104 are excited so that the opposite sides of the core magnetic bodies 102a and 104a have the same polarity.

  The electromagnet 102 has a pair of first support pins 106a protruding on both sides from the outer magnetic body 102b and in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the electromagnet, and a direction orthogonal to the axis of the electromagnet on both sides from the outer magnetic body 102b. And a pair of second support pins 106b projecting from each other. The first support pin 106a is provided at one end of the electromagnet 102 in the axial direction, here the end away from the other electromagnet 104, and the second support pin 106b is the other end in the axial direction of the electromagnet 102, here, It is provided at the end facing the other electromagnet 104 and is spaced apart from the first support pin 106 a along the axial direction of the electromagnet 102.

  The electromagnet 104 has a pair of first support pins 108a projecting in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the electromagnet on both sides from the outer peripheral magnetic body 104b, and the direction orthogonal to the axis of the electromagnet on both sides from the outer peripheral magnetic body 104b. And a pair of second support pins 108b projecting from each other. The first support pin 108a is provided at one end of the electromagnet 104 in the axial direction, here the end away from the other electromagnet 102, and the second support pin 108b is the other end in the axial direction of the electromagnet 104, here. It is provided at the end facing the other electromagnet 102 and is spaced apart from the first support pin 108 a along the axial direction of the electromagnet 104.

  The pair of mounting plates 103a and 103b are disposed on both sides of the electromagnets 102 and 104, and are provided in parallel to each other and in parallel to the axes of the electromagnets 102 and 104. The attachment plates 103a and 103b are formed with long and narrow linear support slits 110a and 110b, and extend parallel to the axes of the electromagnets 102 and 104.

  The first support pin 106a and the second support pin 106b protruding from the electromagnet 102 are inserted into the support slits 110a and 110b of the mounting plates 103a and 103b facing each other, whereby the electromagnet 102 is moved along the support slits 110a and 110b. The mounting plates 103a and 103b are movably supported. The first support pin 108a and the second support pin 108b protruding from the electromagnet 104 are inserted into the support slits 110a and 110b of the mounting plates 103a and 103b facing each other, whereby the electromagnet 104 is moved along the support slits 110a and 110b. The mounting plates 103a and 103b are movably supported. As a result, the pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 can move in directions toward and away from each other.

  The pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 is supported by a pair of first support arms 112a and 112b, a pair of second support arms 113a and 113b, and a pair of central support plates 114. The elongated plate-like first support arms 112a and 112b are provided outside the mounting plates 103a and 103b. One end of the first support arms 112a and 112b is rotatably supported by the pivot 116, and a support slit 117 is formed at the other end of the first support arms 112a and 112b. The pivot 116 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of the electromagnets 102 and 104, and is provided between the electromagnets 102 and 104 and facing the central portion. The support pins 106a projecting from the electromagnet 102 pass through the support slits 110a and 110b of the mounting plates 103a and 103b, respectively, and are inserted into the support slits 117 of the first support arms 112a and 112b. The pair of first support arms 112 a and 112 b are connected to each other by a connecting rod 112 c extending parallel to the pivot 116.

  The elongated plate-like second support arms 113a and 113b are provided outside the attachment plates 103a and 103b, respectively. One end of the second support arms 113a and 113b is rotatably supported by the pivot 116, and a support slit 118 is formed at the other end of the second support arms 113a and 113b. The support pins 108a protruding from the electromagnet 104 pass through the support slits 110a and 110b of the mounting plates 103a and 103b, respectively, and are inserted into the support slits 117 of the first support arms 112a and 112b. The pair of second support arms 113a and 113b are connected to each other by a connecting rod 113c extending in parallel with the pivot 116.

  The elongated plate-like central support plates 114a and 114b are provided outside the mounting plates 103a and 103b substantially in parallel with the mounting plates. One end of each of the central support plates 114a and 114b is rotatably supported by the pivot 116, and the other end thereof is adjacent to the mounting plates 103a and 103b. A pair of guide slits 120a and 120b is formed at the other end of each central support plate 114a and 114b. The guide slit 120a has a first portion extending in parallel with the support slit 110a and a second portion extending vertically upward with respect to the first portion. The guide slit 120b is formed symmetrically with the guide slit 120a, and has a first portion extending in parallel with the support slit 110a and a second portion extending vertically upward with respect to the first portion. The guide slits 120a and 120b are provided at predetermined intervals along the axial direction of the electromagnets 102 and 104. The first portions of the guide slits 120a and 120b extend in directions away from each other. In each guide slit 120a, 120b, the transition portion between the first portion and the second portion is formed in an arc shape.

  The support pins 106b protruding from the electromagnet 102 pass through the support slits 110a and 110b of the mounting plates 103a and 103b, respectively, and are inserted into the guide slits 120a of the central support plates 114a and 114b. Further, the support pins 108b protruding from the electromagnet 104 pass through the support slits 110a and 110b of the mounting plates 103a and 103b, respectively, and are inserted into the guide slits 120b of the central support plates 114a and 114b.

  In this way, the pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 are supported by the first support arms 112a and 112b, the second support arms 113a and 113b, and the center support plates 114a and 114b. Then, as the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, and 113b rotate around the pivot axis 116, the pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 move in the approaching and separating directions along the axial direction. Is done.

The brake wire 50 of the bicycle is connected to the connecting rods 112c and 113c of the first and second support arms, for example. One end of the outer tube 50b of the brake wire 50 is connected to the connecting rod 112c of the first support arm, and the inner wire 50a passes through the connecting rod 112c of the first support arm and is connected to the connecting rod 113c of the second support arm. Yes. By operating the rear brake lever 40 </ b> A and pulling the inner wire 50 a of the brake wire 50, the first and second support arms 112 a to 113 b are rotated around the pivot 116. Thereby, the mechanical brake, here, the rear brake 44 is actuated.
A magnetic shield 124 is provided so as to cover the electromagnets 102 and 104 so as not to leak a magnetic field from the electromagnets 102 and 104, and is fixed to the mounting plates 103a and 103b.

  FIG. 16 shows an example in which the brake operation reaction force generator 70 configured as described above is assembled to a drum-type brake 44 that is a rear wheel brake mechanism. The brake 44 includes a disc-shaped brake drum 46, and the brake drum 46 is rotatably installed with the rear wheel RW around the pivot F of the rear wheel RW fixed to the vehicle body frame 10. A brake shoe 48 for braking the rotation of the brake drum 46, that is, the rotation of the rear wheel RW, is installed inside the brake drum 46. The brake holding portion 52 covers the outside of the brake 44. Further, the brake holding portion 52 has an arm portion 52 a extending forward, and this arm portion 52 a is fixed to the chain stay of the vehicle body frame 10.

  A fixing portion 52b is formed at the front end portion of the arm portion 52a, and the rear end of the outer tube 50b is fixed to the fixing portion 52b. The inner wire 50 a of the rear brake wire 50 extends further rearward from the fixing portion 52 b and is fixed to the connecting member 54. The connecting member 54 is supported so as to be rotatable around a pivot 54 a, and one end of the connecting member 54 is connected to an extension bar 48 a that operates the brake shoe 48. As is well known, the fixing portion 52b is provided with an adjusting screw 56 and a fixing nut 58 for adjusting the length of the rear brake wire 50. A coil spring 59 is provided between the fixed portion 52b and the connecting member 54, and this coil spring 59 biases the connecting member 54 and the rear brake lever 40A in the direction of returning to the initial values, that is, the direction of returning the brake wire 50. doing.

  When the inner wire 50a of the rear brake wire 50 is pulled by the operation of grasping and tightening the rear brake lever 40A toward the grip 16a, the connecting member 54 is rotated to move the extension bar 48a, and the brake shoe 48 is operated to operate the rear wheel RW. Brake.

  The first support arm 112a of the brake operation reaction force generating device 70 is fixed to the fixing portion 52b of the brake 44, and the second support arm 113a is connected to the connecting member 54 and is rotatable around the pivot 54a. It has become. The central support plates 114a and 114b are rotatably supported on the pivot shaft 54a. Thereby, the brake operation reaction force generator 70 is connected to the brake 44, and when the rear wheel brake is operated, the second support arm 113a rotates together with the connection member 54 to perform a reaction force generation operation.

Next, the operation of the regenerative brake device configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 17 shows a brake wire reaction force (brake wire tension) with respect to a brake wire pulling amount, that is, an operation amount of the brake lever, and a distance (core interval) between the core magnetic bodies 102a and 104a of the pair of electromagnets 102 and 104. FIG. 4 shows changes in the regenerative brake amount (braking amount) and the mechanical brake amount (braking amount). Each value is made dimensionless for easy understanding.

  FIG. 18 shows a state where the rear brake lever 40 </ b> A is not operated, and a slight brake wire reaction force is generated by the coil spring 59 attached to the rear brake 44. Thereafter, the coil spring 59 attached to the brake 44 is for returning the operated first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, 113b to the original positions where the brake is not functioning.

  In the regenerative brake device 66, the brake operation reaction force generator 70 is in the state shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 when the brake is not operated. When the rear brake lever 40A is operated, the inner wire 50a of the brake wire 50 is pulled to the rear brake lever 40A side (left side in FIG. 7) by the rear brake lever 40A. Then, as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21, the first support arm 112 a 112 b and the second support arms 113 a and 113 b of the brake operation reaction force generator 70 are pulled by the brake wire 50 and approach each other around the pivot 116. It is turned in the direction, that is, inward. As the first support arms 112a and 112b rotate, the support pins 106a of the electromagnet 102 are pushed inward by the first support arms 112a and 112b. At the same time, the support pin 108a of the electromagnet 104 is pushed inward by the second support arms 113a and 113b. As a result, the electromagnets 102 and 104 move in a direction in which they approach each other, and the distance between them decreases.

  On the other hand, when the brake wire 50 is pulled, the coil spring 59 is compressed, and a reaction force in the direction opposite to the operation direction of the brake lever 40A is applied to the brake wire 50. As a result, tension is generated in the brake wire 50. This tension is detected by the brake operation force sensor 68, and the detection signal is sent to the control circuit 64. When the brake operation force sensor 68 detects the occurrence of the regenerative braking start reaction force, the control circuit 64 uses the motor 36 as a generator to start regeneration. At this time, the control circuit 64 controls the regeneration amount from the motor 36 according to the tension (reaction force) of the brake wire 50 detected by the brake operation force sensor 68. That is, the regeneration amount is increased as the tension of the inner wire 50a is increased. Since the regenerative braking amount of the rear wheel RW by the motor 36 changes according to the regenerative amount, the regenerative braking amount can be controlled according to the tension of the inner wire 50a.

  The regenerative current generated from the motor 36 by regenerative operation and stored in the battery 38 flows through the coils 102 c and 104 c in the brake operation reaction force generator 70. At this time, as described above, the electromagnets 102 and 104 are excited so that the opposite sides of 102a and 104a have the same polarity. For this reason, in the regenerative state, the electromagnetic force acts so that the electromagnets 102 and 104 repel each other. Therefore, when the rear brake lever 40A is operated and the electromagnets 102 and 104 move in the direction in which the first support arms 112a and 112b and the second support arms 113a and 113b approach each other, the repulsive force between the electromagnets 102 and 104 increases. . This repulsive force is transmitted to the brake wire 50 via the support pins 106a and 108a, the support slits 110a and 110b, and the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, and 113b. The repulsive force of is superimposed.

  Thereby, the tension | tensile_strength of the inner wire 50a increases and the reaction force which acts on 40 A of rear brake levers increases. When the operator feels that the regenerative braking is more than necessary due to the reaction force from the rear brake lever 40A, etc., if the force applied to the rear brake lever 40A is loosened, the tension of the brake wire 50 becomes small. Thus, the regenerative braking force can be reduced. Thereby, the amount of regenerative braking can be controlled appropriately. The tension of the inner wire 50a is transmitted as a reaction force to the rear brake lever 40A. Therefore, the operator of the rear brake lever 40A can feel the magnitude of the regenerative braking force by the reaction force when the rear brake lever 40A is gripped.

  Even when the drive current flows through the coils 102c and 104c of the electromagnets 102 and 104, the electromagnets 102 and 104 have a repulsive force because the same poles face each other. For this reason, the mechanical brake is not operated unnecessarily by the brake operation reaction force generator 70.

  As described above, the pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 constitutes a reaction force application unit that generates a brake operation reaction force by the regenerative current from the motor 36 and applies the brake operation reaction force to the brake wire 50.

  When the amount of operation of the rear brake lever 40A is increased, the inner wire 50a is pulled and the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, 113b are further rotated toward the central support plates 114a, 114b. As a result, the support pins 106a, 106b, 108a, 108b of the electromagnets 102, 104 move in the support slits 110a, 110b and along the guide slits 120a, 120b provided in the central support plates 114a, 114b. Move further in the direction of approaching each other. Therefore, the interval between the core magnetic bodies 102a and 104a is further narrowed, and the repulsive force of the electromagnetic force is increased. As shown in FIG. 17, when the operation amount of the rear brake lever 40 </ b> A is increased in the range of play of the rear brake 44, the brake wire reaction force also increases, so that the regenerative brake amount can be increased.

  If the amount of operation of the rear brake lever 40A further increases and the regenerative brake amount reaches the maximum value of the regenerative brake amount determined by the rating of the motor 36 and the rating of the motor drive inverter circuit provided in the control circuit 64, Thereafter, even if the brake wire reaction force increases, the regenerative brake amount is controlled to the maximum value of the regenerative brake amount.

  FIGS. 19-21 has shown the state by which the brake operation reaction force generator 70 was operated by the regenerative brake amount maximum value substantially. The side edges of the guide slits 120a and 120b while the support pins 106b and 108b of the electromagnets 102 and 104 are moved from the brake non-operating state shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 to the state shown in FIGS. It has a shape close to a circular arc centered on. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the interval between the core magnetic bodies of the electromagnets 102 and 104 changes greatly with respect to the change in the pulling amount of the inner wire 50a. Therefore, the brake wire reaction force (repulsive force of the electromagnet) changes greatly with respect to the operation of the rear brake lever 40A, and the regenerative brake amount can be changed greatly.

  When the rear brake lever 40A is further operated from the position shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, as shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 23, the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, and 113b are the central support plates. It further rotates to the side of 114a, 114b. At this time, the guide slits 102a and 102b are not provided in a direction in which the electromagnets 102 and 104 are closer to each other from the positions of the support pins 106b and 108b. Therefore, the support pins 106a and 108a inserted through the support slits 117 and 118 provided in the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, and 113b are arranged along the support slits 117 and 118 at the front end side of the support arm, That is, it tries to move in a direction away from the pivot 116. Guide slits 120 a and 120 b formed in the central support plates 114 a and 114 b also extend in a direction away from the pivot 116. Therefore, the support pins 106b and 108b of the electromagnets 102 and 104 inserted through the guide slits 120a and 120b also move in a direction away from the pivot 116 along the guide slits 120a and 120b. As a result, the pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 moves in the outer circumferential direction, that is, in the direction away from the pivot 116 with the attachment plates 103a and 103b.

  At this time, the interval between the core magnetic bodies of the pair of electromagnets 102 and 104 is limited so as not to be smaller than the interval between the guide slits 120a and 120b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the core magnetic body interval hardly changes, and in this operation region, even if the operation amount of the rear brake lever 40A is increased, the brake wire reaction force hardly increases.

  When the rear brake lever 40A is further operated, the play portion of the rear brake 44 is finished, and the mechanical brake functions. Since the mechanical brake amount is changed by the force pressing the brake pad or the like, the pressing force (brake wire tension) is superimposed as the brake wire reaction force.

  In the present embodiment, the repulsive force increases as the electromagnets 102 and 104 approach, and the generated magnetic force is large because the core magnetic body interval is sufficiently small in the states shown in FIGS. Therefore, even when the electromagnets 102 and 104 are designed to be small, a sufficient amount of regenerative braking can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, FIG. 18 shows the core magnetic body interval, the brake wire reaction force, the mechanical brake amount (braking amount (braking amount) with respect to changes in the inner wire pulling amount when the battery 38 is fully charged and the regenerative brake cannot be operated. ) Changes. In this case, it can be seen that since the brake wire reaction force due to the regenerative brake is not generated, the mechanical brake can be operated smoothly.

  22 to 24 show a state of the brake operation reaction force generator 70 when the mechanical brake is operated to the maximum. As can be seen from these figures, even when the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, 113b are rotated so that the mechanical brake functions to the maximum, the core magnetic bodies 102a, 104a of the electromagnets 102, 104 are It can be seen that they do not contact each other and do not hinder the rotation of the first and second support arms.

  The side edges on the support arm side of the guide slits 120a and 120b (indicated as inclined side edges in FIGS. 20 and 23) in which the support pins 106b and 108b move between the state shown in FIG. 20 and the state shown in FIG. With respect to the radial direction from 116, the inner side (the pivot side) is formed so as to approach the first and second support arms. For this reason, when the regenerative brake is in operation, the support pins 106b and 108b are pushed toward the first and second support arms by the repulsive force of the electromagnets 102 and 104, and the inclined side edges of the guide slits 120a and 120b The electromagnets 102 and 104 move to the pivot 116 side. This force is a force that moves the support pins 106a, 108a toward the pivot 116 in the support slits 117, 118 of the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, 113b. As a result, the central support plates 114a, 114b In contrast, the first and second support arms are forced to expand. Therefore, the force transmitted to the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, 113b is superimposed on the reaction force of the brake wire 50.

  On the other hand, when the guide slits 120a and 120b are parallel to the pivot 116, the guide slit does not convert the support pins 106b and 108b into a force that moves inward. Difficult to convert smoothly into force.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the regenerative brake device having the characteristics shown in FIG. 17 can be obtained, and the regenerative brake and the mechanical brake can be operated in combination without impairing the operation feeling of the brake. .

  In the fourth embodiment, the brake operation reaction force generator 70 is configured to be incorporated in the rear brake 44 of the assist bicycle, but is not limited thereto, and is combined with a caliper brake (side pull type) as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 26, it may be combined with a caliper brake (center pull type). The caliper brake (center pull type) has two pivots. In this case, the central support plates 114a and 114b of the brake operation reaction force generator 70 may be fixed to the two pivots. As a result, the rotational movement of each support arm and the central support plate is the same as in the case of one pivot. As is apparent from the operation of the fourth embodiment described above, the operation of the brake operation reaction force generating device is caused by the rotational positional relationship between the central support plates 114a and 114b and the support arm, so that there are two pivots. However, the same effect as in the fourth embodiment is obtained. In this case, the first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, 113b are connected to the brake arm or are formed integrally with the brake arm as an extension of the brake arm.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a regenerative braking device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a regenerative brake device according to a fifth embodiment. Note that in the fifth embodiment, identical parts as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, the regenerative braking device 66 is applied to an electric vehicle that transmits the operation amount of the brake pedal 130 to the brake mechanism by hydraulic pressure. The regenerative brake device 66 includes a brake operation force sensor 68 and a brake operation reaction force generator 70. The brake operating force sensor 68 has a pressure sensor 74 disposed directly in the brake pipe 86 and detects the pressure of the working fluid in the brake pipe 86.

  As in the fourth embodiment, the brake operation reaction force generator 70 includes a pair of electromagnets, first and second support arms 112a, 112b, 113a, 113b, mounting plates 103a, 103b, and central support plates 114a, 114b. The first and second support arms and the central support plate are rotatably supported by the pivot 116. Each electromagnet has a coil, which is connected to a control circuit, and a DC current regenerated from the motor to the battery flows through the coil.

  A brake wire 50 is connected to the first and second support arms 112a and 113a. The inner wire 50 a of the brake wire 50 extends through a part of the brake pipe 86. A piston 132 is fixed to the end of the inner wire 50a, and the piston 132 is slidably disposed in the brake pipe 86. The piston 132 moves in the brake pipe 86 according to pressure, and the inner wire 50a is moved integrally with the piston. The piston 132 and the inner wire 50 a constitute a pressure transmission mechanism that transmits the hydraulic pressure in the brake pipe 86, that is, the operation amount of the brake pedal 130, to the brake operation reaction force generator 70.

  According to the regenerative brake device 66 having such a configuration, the operation amount and the brake operation force of the working fluid in the brake pipe are transmitted to the brake operation reaction force generation device 70, and the brake operation reaction force generation device The reaction force corresponding to the is generated and transmitted to the brake pedal. Thereby, the same effect as the above-mentioned fourth embodiment can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  The regenerative brake devices according to the first and fourth embodiments are mainly applied to bicycles, and the regenerative brake devices according to the second and fifth embodiments are mainly applied to motorcycles and electric vehicles. However, any of the embodiments may be applied to any of bicycles, motorcycles, and electric vehicles, and may also be applied to other vehicle drive devices having electrically driven wheels and electric vehicles. Moreover, in 1st and 2nd embodiment, although brake operation was demonstrated with the brake lever, it is good also as a structure which uses a brake pedal.

  The brake operation force sensor is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may have other configurations as long as it can detect the tension of the brake wire or the brake hydraulic pressure. In addition, the brake operation reaction force generator is not limited to the configuration in which tension is applied to the brake wire or the pressure is applied to the working fluid according to the amount of regeneration and the movement of the brake wire (or working fluid). However, various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.

[1]
A brake mechanism that applies braking force to the wheels;
A brake operation unit for generating a brake operation amount;
A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism;
A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A driving device that applies driving force to the wheel and applies regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operating force detected by the brake operating force sensor when the brake operating unit is operated;
A power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device;
A brake operation reaction force generator for applying a brake operation reaction force according to the regeneration amount from the drive device to the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A regenerative braking device comprising:

[2]
The regeneration according to [1], wherein the brake operation amount transmission unit includes a brake wire extending between the brake operation unit and a brake mechanism, and the brake operation force is a tension of the brake wire. Brake device.

[3]
The brake operation amount transmission unit includes a brake pipe extending between the brake operation unit and the brake mechanism, and a working fluid filled in the brake pipe, and the brake operation force is generated in the brake pipe. The regenerative brake device according to [1], wherein the pressure of the working fluid is.

[4]
The brake operation reaction force generator includes a reaction force application unit that generates the brake operation reaction force by a regenerative current from the drive device and applies the reaction force transmission unit to the brake operation amount transmission unit [1] Or the regenerative brake device according to any one of [3].

[5]
The regenerative brake device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the drive device includes a motor that applies assist force to the wheels.

[6]
A brake mechanism that applies braking force to the wheels;
A brake operation unit for generating a brake operation amount;
A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism;
A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A driving device that applies driving force to the wheel and applies regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operating force detected by the brake operating force sensor when the brake operating unit is operated;
A power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device;
A brake operation reaction force generating device that applies a brake operation reaction force according to the regeneration amount and the brake operation amount from the drive device to the brake transmission unit;
A regenerative braking device comprising:

[7]
The brake transmission unit includes an inner cable that connects the brake operation unit and the brake mechanism, and a brake wire having an outer tube that covers the inner cable, and the brake operation force sensor is a reaction force of the tension of the inner cable. The regenerative brake device according to [6], further comprising a pressure sensor that detects a pressure generated in the outer tube as the brake operation force.

[8]
The brake operation reaction force generator includes a reaction force application unit that generates the brake operation reaction force by an electromagnetic force generated in the magnet by a regenerative current from the drive device and a magnet fixed to the inner wire. The regenerative braking device according to [7], wherein

[9]
In the brake operation reaction force generation device, when the brake operation unit is not operated, a current for driving the wheel by the drive device and an electromagnetic force generated in the magnet are the same as the brake operation reaction force at the time of regeneration. It is comprised so that it may become a direction, The regenerative brake device as described in [8] characterized by the above-mentioned.

[10]
[8] or [9], wherein the brake operation reaction force generation device includes a magnetic body provided around the magnet and forming a return magnetic path of magnetic flux from the magnet. Regenerative brake device.

[11]
A motor,
Wheels to which the rotation of the motor is transmitted;
A brake mechanism for applying a braking force to the wheels;
A brake operation unit for generating a brake operation amount;
A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism;
A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A driving device that applies driving force to the wheel and applies regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operating force detected by the brake operating force sensor when the brake operating unit is operated;
A power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device;
A brake operation reaction force generator for applying a brake operation reaction force according to the regeneration amount from the drive device to the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A vehicle comprising:

[12]
A motor,
Wheels to which the rotation of the motor is transmitted;
A brake mechanism for applying a braking force to the wheels;
A brake operation unit for generating a brake operation amount;
A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism;
A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the brake transmission unit;
A drive device for applying a regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operation force detected by the brake operation force sensor;
A power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device;
A brake operation reaction force generation device that generates a brake operation reaction force according to the regenerative amount and the brake operation amount from the drive device by a repulsion force of a pair of electromagnets and applies the brake operation reaction force to the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A vehicle comprising:

[13]
Each of the pair of electromagnets has a core and a coil wound around the core and supplied with the regenerative power, and is arranged coaxially with each other and facing each other with a gap between them,
The electromagnet is excited so that opposite sides of the core have the same polarity when a regenerative current flows,
The brake operation reaction force generating device is connected to an attachment member that supports the pair of electromagnets so as to be movable toward and away from each other, and the electromagnet and the brake operation amount transmission unit, respectively. The vehicle according to [12], further comprising: a first support arm and a second support arm that move the pair of electromagnets toward each other.

[14]
The pair of electromagnets have first and second support pins, respectively, and the mounting plate has support slits through which the first and second support pins of the pair of electromagnets are inserted,
The first support arm has a support slit through which the first support pin of one electromagnet is inserted, and the second support arm has a support slit through which the first support pin of the other electromagnet is inserted, The vehicle according to [13], wherein the first and second support arms are rotatably supported on a common pivot.

[15]
The brake operation reaction force generating device supports a second support pin of the pair of electromagnets, and a central support member that holds the electromagnet at the predetermined interval when the pair of electromagnets approaches a predetermined interval. Prepared,
The central support member has a pair of guide slits through which the second support pins of the electromagnets are respectively inserted, and each guide slit has a first portion and a first portion extending in parallel with the support slit of the mounting member. And a pair of guide slits provided at the predetermined interval along the axial direction of the electromagnet,
The first portion of the pair of guide slits extends in a direction away from each other, and in each guide slit, a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion is formed in an arc shape [14]. .

10 ... body frame, 16 ... handle, 27 ... crank, 28 ... pedal,
34 ... Chain, 36 ... Motor, 38 ... Battery, 40A ... Rear brake lever,
40B ... front brake lever, 44 ... brake, 49 ... brake shoe,
50 ... Rear brake wire, 50a ... Inner wire, 50b ... Outer tube,
64 ... Control circuit, 66 ... Regenerative brake device, 68 ... Brake operating force sensor,
70 ... Brake operation reaction force generator, 74 ... Pressure sensor, 78 ... Core magnetic body,
80 ... outer peripheral magnetic body, 84 ... coil, 86 ... brake piping, 94 ... core magnet,
96a ... 1st coil, 96b ... 2nd coil, FW ... Front wheel, RW ... Rear wheel,
102, 104 ... electromagnets, 103a, 103b ... mounting plates 103a, 103b,
102a, 104a ... core magnetic body, 106a, 108a ... first support pin,
106b, 108b ... second support pins, 110a, 110b ... support slits,
112a, 112b ... 1st support arm,
113a, 113b ... second support arms 113a, 113b, 114 ... central support plate 114
117, 118 ... support slit, 120a, 120b ... guide slit.

Claims (5)

A brake mechanism that applies braking force to the wheels;
A brake operation unit for generating a brake operation amount;
A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism;
A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A driving device that applies driving force to the wheel and applies regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operating force detected by the brake operating force sensor when the brake operating unit is operated;
A power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device;
A brake operation reaction force generator for applying a brake operation reaction force according to the regeneration amount from the drive device to the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A regenerative braking device comprising:   The brake operation amount transmission unit includes a brake pipe extending between the brake operation unit and the brake mechanism, and a working fluid filled in the brake pipe, and the brake operation force is generated in the brake pipe. The regenerative brake device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure is a working fluid pressure.   The regenerative braking device according to claim 1, wherein the driving device includes a motor that applies assist force to the wheels. A brake mechanism that applies braking force to the wheels;
A brake operation unit for generating a brake operation amount;
A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism;
A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A driving device that applies driving force to the wheel and applies regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operating force detected by the brake operating force sensor when the brake operating unit is operated;
A power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device;
A brake operation reaction force generator that applies a brake operation reaction force according to the regeneration amount and the brake operation amount from the drive device to the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A regenerative braking device comprising: A motor,
Wheels to which the rotation of the motor is transmitted;
A brake mechanism for applying a braking force to the wheels;
A brake operation unit for generating a brake operation amount;
A brake operation amount transmission unit that transmits a brake operation amount from the brake operation unit to the brake mechanism;
A brake operation force sensor for detecting a brake operation force of the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A driving device that applies driving force to the wheel and applies regenerative braking force to the wheel according to the brake operating force detected by the brake operating force sensor when the brake operating unit is operated;
A power storage device that receives regenerative power from the drive device;
A brake operation reaction force generator for applying a brake operation reaction force according to the regeneration amount from the drive device to the brake operation amount transmission unit;
A vehicle comprising: