JP2015223957A - Dolly for electric auxiliary vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase a runnable distance while generating auxiliary power in an electric auxiliary vehicle to which a dolly may be detachably attached.SOLUTION: A dolly 14 according to one embodiment of the invention includes: a connection device 380 which enables connection to an electric auxiliary vehicle 10; a load-carrying platform 374 on which cargoes are placed; wheels 400 and 428 which support the load-carrying platform 374; and a loading part 171 for loading a battery 106s, which is used to supply electric power to a motor 102 of the electric auxiliary vehicle 10, on the dolly 14.

Description

  The present invention relates to a bogie for an electric auxiliary vehicle.

  There is known a battery-assisted bicycle that assists driving by generating auxiliary power by multiplying the pedal force applied to the pedal by a predetermined assist ratio in the electric motor and transmitting the resultant force of the pedal force and the auxiliary power to the drive wheels. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a battery-assisted bicycle, by assisting human power with a motor, for example, it is possible to reduce the burden on the occupant when traveling on a slope or loading luggage.

JP 09-226664 A

  The auxiliary mechanism as described above can be applied to a bicycle to which a cart for carrying goods is connected. However, for example, in a business-use luggage transport bicycle, when the total weight of the loaded luggage is large, the traveling load increases and the power consumption increases. Moreover, since the running load increases depending on the weight of the cart itself, the power consumption increases. For this reason, in a business-use baggage carrying bicycle, the battery will be depleted faster than a bicycle to which a carriage is not connected, and the travelable distance will be shortened while generating appropriate auxiliary power.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to extend a travelable distance while generating auxiliary power in an electric auxiliary vehicle to which a carriage can be attached and detached.

  A cart according to an embodiment of the present invention is a cart provided with a connection device that enables connection to a battery-assisted vehicle, and includes a cargo bed on which a load is placed, wheels that support the cargo bed, and the battery-assisted vehicle. And a mounting portion for mounting a battery used for power supply to the motor on the carriage.

  In one embodiment, the mounting unit may be detachable from the battery.

  In one embodiment, the mounting portion may be configured such that the battery can be attached and detached without interference between the battery and the motor-assisted vehicle in a state where the carriage and the motor-assisted vehicle are connected. Good.

  In one embodiment, the mounting unit may be configured so that the battery can be attached and detached without interference between the battery and the load when the load is loaded on the loading platform.

  In a certain embodiment, the position of the said mounting part with which the said cart is equipped may be biased to the one side of the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle width direction center of the said cart.

  In one embodiment, the motor-assisted vehicle includes a vehicle-side battery mounting portion to which a battery can be attached and detached, and the vehicle-side battery mounting portion and the mounting portion included in the carriage are the same in the vehicle width direction of the motor-assisted vehicle. The battery may be detachable from one side.

  In one embodiment, the electrically assisted vehicle includes a vehicle-side battery mounting portion to which a battery can be attached and detached, and the vehicle-side battery mounting portion and the mounting portion included in the carriage are arranged in the vehicle width direction of the electrically assisted vehicle. The battery may be detachable with the user positioned on the side.

  In one embodiment, the mounting unit is configured such that the battery and the connection device do not interfere with each other in both a state where the connection device is connected to the motor-assisted vehicle and a state where the connection device is not connected. You may be comprised so that a battery can be attached or detached.

  In a certain embodiment, the attitude | position of the said connection apparatus in the state connected to the said motor-assisted vehicle may differ from the attitude | position of the said connection apparatus in the state which is not connected.

  In one embodiment, the vehicle has three or more wheels that are grounded in a state where the carriage is not connected to the motor-assisted vehicle, and the center of gravity of the battery mounted on the mounting portion is determined by It may be located in a region surrounded by a straight line connecting.

  In one embodiment, at least a part of the battery mounted on the mounting portion may overlap a projection surface of the cart in plan view.

  In one embodiment, the entire battery mounted on the mounting portion may overlap the projection surface of the carriage.

  In a certain embodiment, the position of the said mounting part may be the downward direction of the said loading platform.

  In one embodiment, the connection device may include a contact portion that comes into contact with the motor-assisted vehicle, and the mounting portion may be located on a side opposite to the motor-assisted vehicle as viewed from the contact portion.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carriage includes a mounting portion on which a battery used for power supply to the motor of the battery-assisted vehicle is placed. By using the battery mounted on the carriage, the travelable distance can be extended while generating auxiliary power. Further, it is possible to prevent an increase in weight in the state of the electrically assisted vehicle that is not connected to the carriage, and it is possible for the occupant to travel lightly like the conventional electrically assisted vehicle.

  For example, the mounting unit may be detachable from the battery. Thereby, the battery mounted on the carriage can be used as a spare battery.

  For example, the mounting unit may be configured so that the battery can be attached and detached without interference between the battery and the electrically assisted vehicle in a state where the carriage and the electrically assisted vehicle are connected. Further, for example, the mounting unit may be configured so that the battery can be attached and detached without interference between the battery and the load when the load is loaded on the loading platform. Thereby, attachment and detachment of a battery can be performed smoothly.

  For example, the position of the mounting portion included in the carriage may be biased to one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center of the carriage in the vehicle width direction. In addition, for example, the battery-assisted battery includes a vehicle-side battery mounting part to which the battery can be attached and detached, and the battery-side battery mounting part and the carriage-equipped mounting part are attached to and detached from the same side in the vehicle width direction of the battery-assisted vehicle. It may be possible. In addition, for example, a battery-assisted battery includes a vehicle-side battery mounting portion to which a battery can be attached and detached, and the vehicle-side battery mounting portion and the mounting portion provided to the carriage are located on one side in the vehicle width direction of the battery-assisted vehicle. In this state, the battery may be removable. As a result, the battery can be transshipped efficiently by the user.

  For example, the mounting portion is configured such that the battery can be attached and detached without interference between the battery and the connection device in both the state where the connection device is connected to the battery-assisted vehicle and the state where the connection device is not connected. May be. For example, the attitude of the connecting device when connected to the battery-assisted vehicle may be different from the attitude of the connecting device when not connected. Thereby, attachment and detachment of a battery can be performed smoothly.

  For example, the area where the center of gravity of the battery mounted on the mounting portion is surrounded by a straight line connecting the grounding points of the wheels in plan view is provided with three or more wheels that are grounded when the carriage is not connected to the motor-assisted vehicle. It may be located inside. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the balance of the carriage from being lost due to the weight of the battery.

  For example, at least a part of the battery mounted on the mounting unit may overlap the projection surface of the carriage in plan view. Further, for example, the entire battery mounted on the mounting unit may overlap the projection surface of the carriage. Further, for example, the position of the mounting portion may be below the loading platform. Thereby, it can prevent that a battery becomes obstructive at the time of handling with a cart alone.

  For example, the connection device may include a contact portion that comes into contact with the battery-assisted vehicle, and the mounting portion may be located on the opposite side of the battery-assisted vehicle as viewed from the contact portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the battery from interfering with the battery-assisted bicycle during the connection operation and the disconnection operation.

  According to the present invention, the carriage includes the mounting portion for mounting the battery used for supplying power to the motor of the battery-assisted vehicle. By using the battery mounted on the carriage, the travelable distance can be extended while generating auxiliary power. Further, it is possible to prevent an increase in weight in the state of the electrically assisted vehicle that is not connected to the carriage, and it is possible for the occupant to travel lightly like the conventional electrically assisted vehicle.

1 is a side view showing a battery-assisted bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the rear part of the bicycle main body in the state in which the bicycle main body and trolley | bogie which concern on embodiment of this invention are not connected. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the battery installed in the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the operation | movement which removes the battery from a battery-assisted bicycle. It is a top view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the component of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the connector which electrically connects the battery-assisted bicycle and trolley | bogie which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which electrically connected the battery-assisted bicycle and trolley | bogie which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the trolley | bogie which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a three-wheel battery-assisted bicycle will be described as an example of the battery-assisted vehicle of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, left and right, front and rear, and top and bottom mean left and right, front and back, and top and bottom, based on a state where an occupant is seated on the seat 92 of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 toward the handle 82. In addition, the following embodiment is an illustration and this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

  As described above, in the battery-assisted bicycle to which the cart for carrying goods is connected, the total weight increases, so that the traveling load increases and the power consumption increases. For this reason, in the battery-assisted bicycle to which the carriage is connected, the battery is reduced faster than the bicycle to which the carriage is not connected, and the distance that can be traveled while generating the auxiliary power is shortened.

  Patent Document 1 proposes that a plurality of batteries are mounted on the body of a battery-assisted bicycle, the remaining amount of each battery is constantly detected, and any one battery is selected and used to extend the cruising distance. ing. If a cart is connected to the battery-assisted bicycle of Patent Document 1, it is considered that the cruising distance can be increased compared to the case where the cart is connected to a battery-assisted bicycle equipped with only one battery. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the weight of a battery-assisted bicycle alone without a carriage is increased, which increases the driving load during driving of the battery-assisted bicycle alone and imposes a burden on the passenger. become.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described below, the carriage is connected to the electric auxiliary vehicle while enabling light driving as in the conventional electric auxiliary vehicle without increasing the weight of the electric auxiliary vehicle alone. In this state, it is possible to extend the travelable distance while generating auxiliary power.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing a battery-assisted bicycle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a battery-assisted bicycle 10 in a state in which a load carrying cart 14 (hereinafter abbreviated as a cart 14) is connected.

  The battery-assisted bicycle 10 includes a frame 16 that extends in the front-rear direction. The frame 16 includes a head tube 18, a down tube 20, a seat tube 22, a bracket portion 24, a chain stay 26, a seat stay 28, and a rear wheel support unit 30.

  The head tube 18 is provided at the front end of the frame 16. The down tube 20 is provided so as to extend rearward and obliquely downward from the head tube 18. The seat tube 22 is provided so as to extend obliquely upward and rearward from the rear end portion of the down tube 20. The bracket portion 24 is provided so as to extend rearward from the rear end portion of the down tube 20 and the lower end portion of the seat tube 22.

  The seat stay 28 is provided so as to extend rearward and obliquely downward from the upper end portion of the seat tube 22. The lower end of the seat stay 28 is connected to the chain stay 26.

  A handle stem 80 is rotatably inserted into the head tube 18. A handle 82 is fixed to the upper end portion of the handle stem 80. The handle 82 is provided with a brake lever (not shown), and an occupant can brake the battery-assisted bicycle 10 by operating the brake lever. A front fork 84 is fixed to the lower end portion of the handle stem 80. A front wheel 86 is rotatably supported on the lower end portion of the front fork 84 via an axle. In the battery-assisted bicycle 10, by turning the handle 82 to the left and right, the front wheel 86 turns to the left and right. Thereby, the direction of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 can be changed.

  A seat pipe 90 is inserted into the seat tube 22. A seat 92 is provided at the upper end of the seat pipe 90. The bracket unit 24 is provided with a drive unit 94. The drive unit 94 includes a pedal crank 96, pedals 98 a and 98 b, a drive sprocket 100 and an electric motor 102. When the occupant depresses the pedals 98a and 98b, the pedal crank 96 rotates.

  The drive sprocket 100 is attached to the pedal crank 96 via a one-way clutch (FIG. 7) so as to rotate according to the rotation of the pedal crank 96 in one direction. The drive sprocket 100 is connected to a rotating shaft 356 (FIG. 2) provided at the lower part of the rear wheel support unit 30 through an endless chain 104. The electric motor 102 is provided obliquely below the rear of the drive sprocket 100 and generates torque for assisting the rotation of the pedal crank 96. Behind the seat tube 22, the drive unit 94 is provided with a battery 106 for storing electric power used for driving the electric motor 102 and the like. The seat tube 22 is provided with a lock 177 for fixing the battery 106. The drive unit 94 is provided with a controller 120 (FIG. 7) that controls the operation of the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  In the battery-assisted bicycle 10 shown in FIG. 1, the rear wheel support unit 30 can roll with respect to the chain stay 26. Further, the front end 374a of the loading portion 374 of the carriage 14 is located in front of the front ends of the left rear wheel 108 and the right rear wheel 114 (FIG. 2).

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the rear part of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 in a state where the carriage 14 is not connected. The chain 104 is connected to the left rear wheel 108 via the transmission mechanism T. As the chain stay 26 and the seat stay 28, chain stays and seat stays used in various known three-wheeled bicycles can be used, and thus detailed descriptions of the chain stay 26 and the seat stay 28 are omitted.

  The transmission mechanism T includes a rotating shaft 356 and a chain 358. The chain 104 is connected to the right end portion of the rotation shaft 356. The chain 358 connects the left end portion of the rotating shaft 356 and the left rear wheel 108. With such a configuration, rotation is transmitted from the chain 104 to the left rear wheel 108 via the transmission mechanism T. Note that the transmission mechanism T may transmit rotation to both the left rear wheel 108 and the right rear wheel 114. As the transmission mechanism T, transmission mechanisms used in various known three-wheeled bicycles can be used, and thus detailed description of the transmission mechanism T is omitted.

  The rear wheel support unit 30 includes brackets 360 and 362 for rotatably supporting the left rear wheel 108 via the axle 110, and a bracket 364 for rotatably supporting the right rear wheel 114 via the axle 116. 366, a support tube 368 for connecting the bracket 360 and the bracket 364, and a pair of connection units 370 and 372 attached to the support tube 368. The rear wheel support unit 30 is connected to the chain stay 26 so that it can roll around the chain stay 26. As the configuration of the rear wheel support unit 30 other than the brackets 360, 362, 364, 366, the support tube 368, and the connection units 370, 372, the configuration of a known rolling type rear wheel support unit can be used. Detailed description of the wheel support unit 30 is omitted.

  The connection unit 370 includes a bracket 370a having a substantially U shape in plan view and a cylindrical collar 370b extending in the left-right direction. Both end portions of the bracket 370a extend obliquely rearward so as to expand in the left-right direction. The collar 370b is supported by the bracket 370a via a bolt 370c and a nut 370d. The connection unit 372 has a configuration that is symmetrical with respect to the connection unit 370, and includes a bracket 372a and a collar 372b similar to the bracket 370a and the collar 370b. The collar 372b is supported by the bracket 372a via a bolt 372c and a nut 372d.

  3 and 4 are side views showing the carriage 14. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the carriage 14 in a state where the stand member 382 is set in a grounded state. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the carriage 14 in a state where the stand member 382 is set in a non-grounding state. The stand member 382 includes a pair of auxiliary wheels 428 disposed on the left side and the right side of the carriage 14. In the present embodiment, the grounding state of the stand member 382 refers to a state where the pair of auxiliary wheels 428 of the stand member 382 is in contact with the ground, and the non-grounded state of the stand member 382 refers to the pair of auxiliary wheels 428. The state that is not in contact with the ground.

  The carriage 14 includes a loading portion (loading platform) 374 for loading a load, a fence portion 376 provided so as to extend upward from the loading portion 374, a pair of casters 378 provided at the rear portion of the loading portion 374, and a substantially central portion of the loading portion 374. A locking mechanism 380 is provided. The stand member 382 provided in the lock mechanism 380 includes a handle portion 432 that extends in an arm shape toward the upper and rear sides. The lock mechanism 380 and the stand member 382 are connection devices that connect the carriage 14 to the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  The stacking portion 374 includes a pair of side frames 384 arranged side by side and extending in the front-rear direction, and cross members 386, 388, 390, and 392 extending in the left-right direction so as to connect the pair of side frames 384.

  Between the cross member 386 and the cross member 388, each side frame 384 is provided with a bracket 394 that extends in the front-rear direction and protrudes below the stacking portion 374. Each bracket 394 is welded to the inner side surface of the side frame 384, for example.

  A bracket 395 is provided to extend rearward and obliquely downward from the center of the cross member 388. The bracket 395 is welded to the cross member 388, for example. The bracket 395 supports the wire 470.

  Each caster 378 includes a wheel 400 and a support frame 402 that rotatably supports the wheel 400. The support frame portion 402 has a shaft portion 402a extending in the vertical direction at an upper end portion thereof. The shaft portion 402a is rotatably supported by a bearing unit (not shown). As a result, the casters 378 can rotate about the shaft portion 402a with respect to the stacking portion 374.

  At a position below the loading portion 374, a loading portion 171 for placing a battery 106s used for power supply to the motor 102 of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 is provided. The mounting portion 171 is welded to the inner side surface of the side frame 384, for example. The stacking portion 374 is provided with a lock 173 for fixing the battery 106s.

  The fence portion 376 is connected to the front end portions of the pair of side frames 384 and extends upward, the pair of first handle frames 404, the cross members 406 and 408 connecting the pair of first handle frames 404, and the pair of side frames 384. A second handle frame 410 connected to the rear end and extending upward includes a cross member 412 provided to extend in the left-right direction at the top of the second handle frame 410. The fence portion 376 further includes a pair of side frames 416 that connect the pair of first handle frames 404 and the second handle frame 410, and a plurality of vertical frames 418 that connect the pair of side frames 416 and the pair of side frames 384. Have A lever 420 is provided at the upper end of the second handle frame 410.

  The lock mechanism 380 includes a first unit 448 and a pair of second units 450. The second unit 450 is disposed on each of the left side and the right side of the carriage 14. The first unit 448 is provided so as to connect the pair of brackets 394. The second unit 450 is fixed to the bracket 394 by a fastening member (not shown) (for example, a bolt and a nut).

  Next, a method for connecting the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14 will be described. When connecting the carriage 14 to the battery-assisted bicycle 10, first, the carriage 370b and 372b of the rear wheel support unit 30 (FIG. 2) are fitted in the recesses 482 (FIG. 3) of the pair of second units 450. 14 is moved to the battery-assisted bicycle 10 side. Next, by operating the lever 446 of the handle portion 432, the auxiliary wheel 428 of the stand member 382 is separated from the ground, and the stand member 382 is in a non-grounded state. Further, the pair of hook-shaped portions 422 (FIG. 4) of the stand member 382 provided on the left side and the right side of the carriage 14 move in front of the collars 370b and 372b, and the collars 370b and 372b come out of the recess 482. Is prevented. That is, the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14 are prevented from being separated. Thereby, the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14 are connected.

  Note that when the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14 are separated, the stand member 382 may be changed from the non-grounded state to the grounded state by performing an operation opposite to the above. With this operation, the hook-shaped portion 422 of the stand member 382 moves below the collars 370b and 372b, and the collars 370b and 372b can be separated from the recess 482.

  Here, the battery 106s mounted on the carriage 14 will be described. The mounting unit 171 mounts the battery 106s in a detachable manner. The battery 106s can be used as a spare battery for the battery 106 (FIG. 1) mounted on the battery-assisted bicycle 10, for example. When the remaining amount of the battery 106 mounted on the battery-assisted bicycle 10 is low, the battery 106 and the battery 106s are replaced, and the battery 106s is set in the battery-assisted bicycle 10, so that the vehicle can run while generating auxiliary power. Can extend the distance.

  When both the battery 106 and the spare battery 106s are mounted on the body of the battery-assisted bicycle 10, the total weight of the body of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 increases. For this reason, the traveling load of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when the carriage 14 is not connected is increased, which imposes a burden on the driving occupant. In the present embodiment, by mounting the battery 106s on the carriage 14, it is possible to prevent the traveling load of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 from increasing when the carriage 14 is not connected, and the occupant can comfortably drive the battery-assisted bicycle 10. it can.

  However, when the battery 106s is placed on the carriage 14, it may interfere with the luggage placed on the carriage 14, reducing the loading capacity, and making the luggage and / or the battery 106s in / out inconvenient. Further, it is desirable that members constituting the carriage 14 and the battery 106s do not interfere with each other. In particular, in the carriage 14 having a mechanism that can be attached to and detached from the battery-assisted bicycle 10, it is desirable to prevent such a complicated mechanism from interfering with the battery 106s. In the present embodiment, the mounting portion 171 is configured so that the battery 106s and other members do not interfere when the user attaches / detaches the battery 106s.

  In addition, the loading unit 171 is configured so that the battery 106s can be attached and detached without interference between the battery 106s and the load when the load is loaded on the loading unit 374. For example, by disposing the mounting portion 171 below the stacking portion 374, the battery 106s can be attached and detached without interference between the battery 106s and the load. Further, for example, the mounting portion 171 is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the casters 378 provided at the rear portion of the stacking portion 374.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mounting portion 171 can attach and detach the battery 106 s without the interference between the battery 106 s and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 in a state where the carriage 14 and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 are connected. It is configured as follows. For example, the mounting portion 171 is disposed at a position where the battery 106 s can be attached and detached without the rear wheels 108 and 114 (FIG. 2) of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 contacting the battery 106 s.

  Moreover, since the handle | steering-wheel part 432 is operated at the time of the connection operation | movement of the trolley | bogie 14 and the battery-assisted bicycle 10, and the cutting | disconnection operation | movement, the attitude | position of the handle | steering-wheel part 432 in the state connected to the battery-assisted bicycle 10 is not connected. This is different from the posture of the handle portion 432 in the state. In the present embodiment, the battery 106 s is attached and detached without interference between the battery 106 s and the handle portion 432 in both the state where the carriage 14 is connected to the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the state where it is not connected. The mounting portion 171 is configured so as to be able to. For example, the battery 106 s can be attached and detached without interfering with the handle portion 432 by disposing the mounting portion 171 below the position when the lever 446 of the handle portion 432 is lowered.

  The mounting portion 171 is located on the opposite side of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when viewed from the lock mechanism 380 that contacts the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when the carriage 14 and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 are connected. For example, when the carriage 14 and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 are connected, the mounting portion 171 is positioned behind the lock mechanism 380, so that the battery 106s interferes with the battery-assisted bicycle 10 during the connection operation and the disconnection operation. Can be prevented. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the battery 106s from coming into contact with other members and being damaged.

  Next, an example of a method for attaching and detaching the batteries 106 and 106s will be described. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the battery 106 installed in the battery-assisted bicycle 10, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an operation of removing the battery 106 from the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  On the upper part of the drive unit 94 (FIG. 1), a battery receiving portion 175 (FIG. 5A) in which the battery 106 is installed is provided. The battery 106 can be attached to and detached from the battery receiving portion 175 from one side in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) of the battery-assisted bicycle 10. In this example, the battery 106 is detachably attached to the battery receiving portion 175 from the left side of the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  When the battery 106 is mounted, the bottom of the battery 106 is brought into contact with the battery receiving portion 175, and the battery 106 is rotated around the contact portion as a fulcrum to be fixed to the battery receiving portion 175. The battery 106 disposed in the battery receiving portion 175 is also fixed by a lock 177.

  When removing the battery 106 from the battery-assisted bicycle 10, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the lock 177 is unlocked with a key 179, the battery 106 is tilted to the left with the bottom of the battery 106 as a fulcrum, and then the upper left diagonally The battery 106 can be removed from the battery-assisted bicycle 10 by pulling out the battery 106 in the direction.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a direction 181 in which the battery 106 s is inserted and removed from the mounting portion 171 of the carriage 14. The batteries 106 and 106s can be attached to and detached from the battery receiving portion 175 of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the mounting portion 171 of the carriage 14 from the same side in the vehicle width direction of the battery-assisted bicycle 10. The position of the mounting portion 171 is biased to one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle width direction center 398 of the carriage 14. In this example, the mounting portion 171 is provided to be biased to the left side of the carriage 14. When the battery 106s is mounted, the battery 106s is inserted into the mounting portion 171 from the left side of the carriage 14. When removing the battery 106 s, the battery 106 s can be removed from the carriage 14 by pulling the battery 106 s from the mounting portion 171 to the left side of the carriage 14. As described above, in the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14, the batteries 106 and 106 s are attached and detached from the same side (for example, the left side), so that the user can efficiently carry out the battery re-loading work.

  The lock 177 (FIG. 5A) for fixing the battery 106 to the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the lock 173 (FIG. 4) for fixing the battery 106s to the carriage 14 are locked and unlocked using the same key 179. You may be able to do. By using the same key 179 instead of separate keys, the trouble of using a plurality of keys at the time of battery replacement does not occur.

  When the carriage 14 is not connected to the battery-assisted bicycle 10 (the state shown in FIG. 3), the wheels 400 and the auxiliary wheels 428 are grounded to support the whole carriage 14 including the loading portion 374 and the like. Yes. In the present embodiment, the center of gravity G of the battery 106s mounted on the mounting portion 171 is located in a region 183 surrounded by a straight line connecting the grounding point 400a of the wheel 400 and the grounding point 428a of the auxiliary wheel 428 in plan view. ing. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the balance of the carriage 14 from being lost due to the weight of the battery 106s. In the cart 14 of the present embodiment, the caster 378 rotates around the shaft portion 402a (FIG. 3), so that the ground contact point 400a of the wheel 400 draws a circular locus as shown in FIG. Regardless of the position of the ground point 400a, the center of gravity G of the battery 106s is positioned in the region 183 surrounded by a straight line connecting the ground points.

  In this example, the number of wheels to be grounded is four. However, the number of wheels may be three or more, and the center of gravity of the battery 106s is within a region 183 surrounded by a straight line connecting the plurality of wheels. G is positioned.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the battery 106s mounted on the mounting portion 171 overlaps the projection surface of the carriage 14 in plan view. Thereby, the amount of protrusion of the battery 106s from the carriage 14 can be reduced, and the battery 106s can be prevented from getting in the way when the carriage 14 alone is operated. Further, the entire battery 106 s mounted on the mounting unit 171 may overlap the projection surface of the carriage 14.

  Next, transmission and reception of signals and power transmission when performing assist control of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing components of the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  The controller 120 of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 performs assist control by drivingly controlling the electric motor 102 according to the pedaling force of the occupant. The controller 120 detects the pedaling force of the occupant based on the torque value output from the torque sensor 97 that detects the torque of the pedal crank 96. The controller 120 controls the output of the electric motor 102 according to the detected pedal depression force. The controller 120 also controls the output of the electric motor 102 in consideration of the gear position and assist mode (details will be described later) of the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  The controller 120 includes a pedaling force detection unit 122, a gear position detection unit 124, an auxiliary force calculation unit 123, a memory 121, and a motor control unit 125. The pedal effort detector 122 obtains the pedal effort of the occupant based on the torque of the pedal crank 96 detected by the torque sensor 97. The shift speed detection unit 124 detects the current shift speed based on the rotation speed of the electric motor 102 and the vehicle speed of the front wheels 86.

  The auxiliary force calculation unit 123 is based on the pedal depression force detected by the pedal force detection unit 122, the gear position detected by the gear position detection unit 124, the assist mode, and the rotation speed of the pedal crank 96 detected by the crank rotation sensor 95. Then, the driving force required for the electric motor 102 is obtained. The memory 121 stores information related to a plurality of types of assist ratios, and stores data related to pedaling force, shift speed, and driving force according to the assist mode. The auxiliary force calculation unit 123 obtains the driving force by reading necessary data from the memory 121 in accordance with the pedal depression force, the shift speed, and the assist mode. Note that the memory 121 may be provided outside the controller 120.

  The motor control unit 125 controls the driving of the electric motor 102 so that the electric motor 102 outputs the necessary driving force obtained by the auxiliary force calculating unit 123. Further, the motor control unit 125 changes the driving force by the electric motor 102 according to the assist mode changing operation. As an example of the assist mode of the battery-assisted bicycle 10, there are four modes of “strong”, “standard”, “auto-eco”, and “off”. The driving force of the electric motor 102 decreases in the order of “strong”, “standard”, and “auto-eco” with respect to the same pedal depression force.

  When the assist mode is “standard”, the electric motor 102 generates a driving force when the battery-assisted bicycle 10 starts, runs on a flat road, or runs on an uphill road. When the assist mode is “strong”, the electric motor 102 generates a driving force when the battery-assisted bicycle 10 starts, runs on a flat road, or runs on an uphill as in the case of “standard”. When the assist mode is “strong”, the electric motor 102 generates a greater driving force for the same pedal depression force than in the “standard” case. When the assist mode is “auto eco”, the electric motor 102 generates a smaller driving force for the same pedal depression force than when it is “standard” when the battery-assisted bicycle 10 starts or runs uphill. When the assist mode is “OFF”, the electric motor 102 does not generate a driving force.

  As described above, the assist ratio of the electric motor 102 with respect to the pedaling force of the occupant changes according to the assist mode described above. The assist ratio is the ratio of the driving force of the electric motor 102 to the occupant's pedaling force. In the present embodiment, the assist mode is switched to four stages. However, the switching of the assist mode may be three steps or less or may be five steps or more.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the rotation speed of the electric motor 102 that is driven and controlled by the motor control unit 125 is detected by the motor rotation sensor 105. The motor rotation speed detected by the motor rotation sensor 105 is input as a signal to the gear position detection unit 124 of the controller 120. As described above, information regarding the vehicle speed of the front wheels 86 is also input to the gear position detection unit 124. The front wheel speed sensor 87 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the rotation axis of the front wheel 86 and outputs information on the detected vehicle speed to the gear position detection unit 124.

  The output of the electric motor 102 that is driven and controlled by the motor control unit 125 of the controller 120 is decelerated by a reduction gear (gear) 103. Thereafter, the driving force output from the electric motor 102 is transmitted to the chain 104 via the one-way clutch 113. Then, the driving force of the electric motor 102 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 356 by the chain 104. Then, it is transmitted from the rotary shaft 356 to the drive shaft 110 of the rear wheel 108 via the chain 358.

  On the other hand, the pedal effort applied to the pedal crank 96 when the occupant rotates the pedals 98 a and 98 b is transmitted to the chain 104 via the one-way clutch 93. The pedaling force of the occupant is transmitted to the drive shaft 110 of the rear wheel 108 via the chain 104, the rotating shaft 356, and the chain 358.

  Thus, the driving force of the electric motor 102 and the pedaling force of the occupant are transmitted to the driving shaft 110 of the rear wheel 108. That is, the driving force of the electric motor 102 and the pedaling force of the occupant are added together by the chain 104 and become the power of the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, a transmission mechanism 111 is provided on the drive shaft 110. The transmitted rotational power is shifted at a gear ratio set by the speed change mechanism 111. The speed change mechanism 111 changes the speed change ratio when the occupant operates a speed change operating portion 83 (FIG. 1) provided on the handle 82 or the like. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel 108 via the one-way clutch 112. Power may be transmitted to both rear wheels 108 and 114.

  In the present embodiment, the mounting portion 171 on which the battery 106s is placed is disposed below the loading portion 374 of the carriage 14, but the mounting portion 171 may be disposed at a different position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a mounting portion 171 may be disposed around the carriage 14. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a mounting portion 171 is disposed at the rear portion around the carriage 14. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 171 is disposed at the front portion around the carriage 14. In this case, the battery 106s may be inserted and removed in the vertical direction. By such an arrangement position of the mounting portion 171 and the insertion / removal direction 181 of the battery 106 s, it is possible to prevent interference with other members constituting the carriage 14, the loaded luggage, and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when the battery 106 s is attached / detached. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a mounting portion 171 is disposed around the carriage 14, and, similarly to the battery receiving portion 175 (FIG. 5B) of the battery-assisted bicycle 10, the battery 106s You may fix to the mounting part 171 by making the bottom part contact the mounting part 171 and rotating the battery 106s by using the contact part as a fulcrum. By such an arrangement position of the mounting portion 171 and a method for attaching and detaching the battery 106s, it is possible to prevent interference with other members constituting the carriage 14, the loaded luggage, and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when the battery 106s is attached and detached. .

  Further, the battery 106s may be fixed to the carriage 14 by an elastic body. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an elastic body 171a used as a fixture for the battery 106s. The elastic body 171a is, for example, a rubber band or a net. For example, a mounting portion 171 having a hook shape may be provided around the carriage 14, and the battery 106 s may be fixed to the carriage 14 by hooking an elastic body 171 a that supports the battery 106 s to the hook portion. Further, the battery 106s may be fixed to the carriage 14 by the elastic body 171a functioning as the mounting portion 171 and the elastic body 171a being fixed to a part of the carriage 14. The battery 106s can be attached / detached by attaching / detaching the elastic body 171a to / from the carriage 14. By such an arrangement position of the mounting portion 171 and a method for attaching and detaching the battery 106s, it is possible to prevent interference with other members constituting the carriage 14, the loaded luggage, and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when the battery 106s is attached and detached. .

  Alternatively, the battery 106s may be placed on the loading portion 374 of the carriage 14, and the battery 106s may be fixed by the elastic body 171a. In this method, it is possible to prevent interference with the other members constituting the carriage 14 and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when the battery 106s is attached or detached.

  Similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, in the configurations of FIGS. 8 to 13, the batteries 106 and 106 s can be attached and detached while the user is located on the same left side of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14. It is possible to efficiently carry out the transshipment work of the battery by the person.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the position of the mounting portion 171 may be provided so as to be biased to the right side with respect to the vehicle width direction center 398 of the carriage 14. In this case, it may be provided on the stacking portion 374 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, or may be provided on the right side of the side frame 416. The battery 106s is inserted and removed in the vertical direction, for example. By providing the mounting portion 171 biased to the right side, it is possible to prevent the mounting portion 171 and the battery 106s from getting in the way when a user loads and unloads a load from the left side.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the mounting portion 171 may be disposed below the loading portion 374 of the carriage 14, and the battery 106 s may be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction. By such an arrangement position of the mounting portion 171 and the insertion / removal direction 181 of the battery 106 s, it is possible to prevent interference with other members constituting the carriage 14, the loaded luggage, and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when the battery 106 s is attached / detached. it can.

  Further, when the batteries 106 and 106s are replaced, since the user gets off the battery-assisted bicycle 10, it is desirable that the battery-assisted bicycle 10 is surely stopped. For example, when the carriage 14 includes a parking brake, the battery 106 s fixing mechanism in the mounting portion 171 is interlocked with the parking brake so that the battery 106 s can be attached and detached only when the parking brake is operated. Also good.

  Also, when replacing the battery, it may be difficult to remove and replace the other battery while one battery is removed and held by hand. Therefore, a space for temporarily placing the removed battery may be provided in the carriage 14 and / or the battery-assisted bicycle 10 when replacing the battery. Further, the carriage 14 may be provided with a plurality of mounting portions 171, and the removed battery may be placed in an empty mounting portion 171. Thereby, the replacement | exchange operation | work of a battery can be performed smoothly. For example, when the carriage 14 includes two mounting portions 171, the battery 106 removed from the battery-assisted bicycle 10 is attached to one mounting portion 171, and the spare battery 106 s is removed from the other mounting portion 171 to remove the battery-assisted bicycle. Thus, the battery can be replaced smoothly.

  Further, the carriage 14 may include a plurality of mounting portions 171, and a spare battery 106 s may be placed on each of the plurality of mounting portions 171. By mounting the plurality of spare batteries 106 s on the carriage 14, it is possible to further extend the travelable distance while generating auxiliary power.

  In addition, the carriage 14 may further include a shock absorber that reduces transmission of vibration during traveling of the carriage 14 to the battery 106s. The shock absorber is, for example, an oil damper, an elastic member, or the like, and is provided outside or inside the mounting portion 171 and can reduce transmission of vibration to the battery 106s.

  Further, the mounting portion 171 may be formed with a hole for discharging rainwater that has entered the mounting portion 171 to the outside. The mounting unit 171 may further include a protective cover that covers the terminal of the battery 106s.

  The mounting portion 171 may be detachable from the carriage 14.

  Next, an embodiment in which electric power is supplied to the battery-assisted bicycle 10 from the battery 106s mounted on the carriage 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a connector 197 that electrically connects the battery 106 s of the carriage 14, the controller 120 of the battery-assisted bicycle 10, and the battery 106. The connector 197 has a detachable configuration. When the connector 197 is connected, the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14 can supply power and communicate information via the connector 197.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connection state between the batteries 106 and 106 s, the controller 120, and the motor 102. In this example, both the batteries 106 and 106s are electrically connected to the controller 120.

  Each of the batteries 106 and 106s includes a BMC (battery management controller) 191, a switch unit 195, and a backflow prevention circuit 193. By providing the batteries 106 and 106s with the backflow prevention circuit 193, it is possible to prevent a current from flowing from one battery to the other battery. Note that at least one of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14 may include a backflow prevention circuit that prevents backflow of current to at least one of the batteries 106 and 106s.

  The BMC 191 switches the switch unit 195 on / off based on an instruction from the controller 120. Thereby, the battery used for power supply to the motor 102 can be switched between the batteries 106 and 106s. Note that this switching may be performed by the controller 120.

  The controller 120 switches the battery used for power supply to the motor 102 between the batteries 106 and 106s according to a predetermined priority order. For example, as the battery 106 used for power supply to the motor 102, the battery 106s mounted on the carriage 14 is selected with priority over the battery 106 mounted on the battery-assisted bicycle 10. For example, the cart connected to the battery-assisted bicycle 10 may be exchanged for another cart 14 during the baggage transportation operation. In this case, by preferentially using the battery 106s mounted on the carriage 14 over the battery 106 mounted on the battery-assisted bicycle 10, the power consumption of the battery 106 can be reduced, and the battery after replacement of the carriage can be reduced. The total charge amount of the batteries 106 and 106s can be increased.

  Further, the battery 106 mounted on the battery-assisted bicycle 10 may be selected with priority over the battery 106 s mounted on the carriage 14.

  The controller 120 may switch the battery used for power supply to the motor 102 between the batteries 106 and 106s according to the remaining amount of each of the batteries 106 and 106s. By switching to the other battery when the remaining battery level of one battery is low, traveling can be continued while generating auxiliary power.

  Further, when the carriage 14 is connected to the battery-assisted bicycle 10, the carriage 14 and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 may be automatically electrically connected. For example, the connecting unit 370 (FIG. 2) of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the second unit 450 (FIG. 4) of the carriage 14 include terminal portions having the same function as the connector 197, and the carriage 14 and the battery-assisted bicycle 10 are connected. The terminals may be electrically connected by being in electrical contact when connected.

  Further, the BMC 191 of the battery 106s may turn off the output of current from the battery 106s when the battery-assisted bicycle 10 and the carriage 14 are not connected. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a voltage from being applied to the connector 197 (or the second unit 450) when not connected to the battery-assisted bicycle 10.

  Further, the battery-assisted bicycle 10 may further include a connection detection unit that detects the presence or absence of connection with the carriage 14. In this case, the controller 120 may switch on and off the output of the current from the battery 106s according to the detection result of the connection detection unit.

  Further, in the aspect in which current is supplied from the battery 106 s of the carriage 14 to the battery-assisted bicycle 10, the battery-assisted bicycle 10 does not have to be equipped with the battery 106. By not mounting the battery 106, the total weight of the battery-assisted bicycle 10 can be reduced.

  Next, the form of the battery 106 s mounted on the carriage 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21. In a mode in which current is supplied from the battery 106 s of the carriage 14 to the battery-assisted bicycle 10, the battery 106 s may be permanently installed in the carriage 14. In the case of permanent installation, the shape of the battery 106s may be different from the shape of the battery 106. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a form in which the battery 106 s is provided in the loading unit 374 of the carriage 14. In this example, the battery 106s is permanently installed and is not attached or detached, so there is no problem even if a load is loaded on the battery 106s provided in the loading unit 374.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the battery 106 s installed below the stacking unit 374, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the battery 106 s installed around the carriage 14. When the battery 106 s is permanently installed, the shape of the battery 106 s may be different from the shape of the battery 106, and the battery 106 s is not attached or detached, so that the degree of freedom of arrangement of the battery 106 s can be increased.

  In the description of the above embodiment, a three-wheeled bicycle has been exemplified as the battery-assisted vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a two-wheeled bicycle may be used.

  Further, in the description of the above embodiment, as an example of the carriage, a form connected to the rear of the vehicle like a rear car has been shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, for example, connected to the side of the vehicle like a side car. May be. Alternatively, it may be connected in front of the vehicle.

  Moreover, in the description of the above embodiment, the luggage carrier cart is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a cart other than a luggage such as a person (or animal) may be on the carriage.

  The various control operations shown in the description of the above embodiment may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The computer program for executing such an operation is stored in, for example, a memory provided in the battery-assisted bicycle 10, and the operation is executed by the controller 120 (computer). Moreover, such a computer program may be installed in the battery-assisted bicycle 10 from a recording medium (semiconductor memory, optical disk, etc.) on which it is recorded, or may be downloaded via an electric communication line such as the Internet. . Further, such a computer program may be installed in the battery-assisted bicycle 10 via wireless communication.

  The present invention is particularly useful in the field of battery-assisted bicycles that assist driving by generating auxiliary power in an electric motor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric assistance bicycle 14 Car 120 Controller 121 Memory 102 Electric motor 106 Battery 106s Spare battery 171 Mounting part 175 Battery receiving part 374 Loading part 380 Lock mechanism 382 Stand member 400 Wheel 428 Auxiliary wheel

Claims (14)

A carriage equipped with a connection device that enables connection to a motor-assisted vehicle,
A loading platform for loading luggage,
Wheels for supporting the loading platform;
A mounting portion for mounting a battery used for power supply to the motor of the battery-assisted vehicle on the carriage;
With a trolley.   The trolley according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit is detachable from the battery.   The said mounting part is comprised so that the said battery can be attached or detached, without the said battery and the said motor-assisted vehicle interfering in the state in which the said trolley | bogie and the said motor-assisted vehicle were connected. Trolley.   4. The carriage according to claim 2, wherein the mounting unit is configured so that the battery can be attached and detached without interference between the battery and the luggage in a state in which the luggage is loaded on the loading platform.   The position of the said mounting part with which the said trolley is equipped is a trolley | bogie in any one of Claim 2 to 4 which is biased to the one side of a vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle width direction center of the said trolley | bogie. The battery-assisted vehicle includes a vehicle-side battery mounting portion to which a battery can be attached and detached,
The cart according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a battery can be attached to and detached from the vehicle-side battery mounting portion and the mounting portion included in the cart from the same side in the vehicle width direction of the battery-assisted vehicle. The battery-assisted vehicle includes a vehicle-side battery mounting portion to which a battery can be attached and detached,
The battery mounting part included in the vehicle-side battery mounting part and the carriage is a detachable battery in a state where a user is positioned on one side in the vehicle width direction of the battery-assisted vehicle. The cart described in Crab.   The mounting portion can attach and detach the battery without interference between the battery and the connection device in both a state where the connection device is connected to the motor-assisted vehicle and a state where the connection device is not connected. The trolley | bogie in any one of Claim 2 to 7 comprised by these.   The cart according to claim 8, wherein a posture of the connection device when connected to the motor-assisted vehicle is different from a posture of the connection device when not connected. Comprising three or more wheels for grounding in a state in which the carriage is not connected to the motor-assisted vehicle;
The cart according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the center of gravity of the battery mounted on the mounting portion is located in a region surrounded by a straight line connecting the grounding points of the wheels in plan view.   The trolley | bogie in any one of Claim 1 to 10 with which at least one part of the said battery mounted in the said mounting part has overlapped with the projection surface of the said trolley | bogie in planar view.   The trolley | bogie of Claim 11 with which the whole of the said battery mounted in the said mounting part has overlapped with the projection surface of the said trolley | bogie.   The carriage according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the position of the mounting portion is below the loading platform. The connection device has a contact portion that contacts the motor-assisted vehicle,
The trolley | bogie in any one of Claim 1 to 13 in which the said mounting part is located in the opposite side to the said motor-assisted vehicle seeing from the said contact part.

Images