JP2021035110A - Drive unit, drive system, and cover - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a drive unit, a drive system, and a cover that can suppress heat transfer to a user.SOLUTION: The drive system for a human-powered vehicle includes a housing, a drive unit, and a cover. The cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the housing and the motor in an installed state where the cover is attached to at least one of the housing and the frame of the human-powered vehicle. In addition, at least one of a slit having a width of 10 mm or less and a through-hole having a maximum width of 10 mm or less is formed in a portion covering at least part of the housing and the motor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to drive units, drive systems, and covers.

Patent Document 1 discloses a bicycle drive unit. The drive unit is provided on the frame of the bicycle.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-51446

Since the drive unit generates heat when driven, heat is transferred to the user when the user comes into contact with the drive unit. One of the objects of the present disclosure is to propose a drive unit, a drive system, and a cover capable of suppressing heat transfer from the drive unit to the user.

The drive system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a drive system for a human-powered vehicle, which includes a housing configured to be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle and a housing provided in the housing and propelled by the human-powered vehicle. A drive unit comprising a motor configured to apply force, and a cover configured to be attachable to at least one of the housing and the frame of the human-powered vehicle, at least in part of which is made of a resin material. The cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the housing and the motor in a mounted state attached to the housing and at least one of the frames of the human-powered vehicle. At least one of a slit having a width of 10 mm or less and a through hole having a maximum width of 10 mm or less is formed in the housing and the portion covering the at least a part of the motor.

According to the drive system on the first side, the cover covers at least a part of the housing and the motor, so that heat transfer from the drive unit to the user can be suppressed. Further, according to the drive system on the first side surface, it is easy to bring the outside air into contact with the drive unit through at least one of the slit and the through hole, and the temperature rise of the motor can be suppressed. Further, according to the drive system on the first side surface, the width of the slit is 10 mm or less and the maximum width of the through hole is 10 mm or less, so that the user's finger comes into contact with the drive unit through the slit or through hole of the cover. Can be suppressed.

In the drive system of the second side according to the first side of the present disclosure, the cover is configured to cover at least a part of the motor in the mounted state, the slit and the at least one of the through holes. It is provided on a portion of the cover that covers the motor.
According to the drive system on the second side, it is easy to bring the outside air into contact with the motor through at least one of the slit and the through hole.

In the drive system of the third side according to the second side of the present disclosure, the cover is configured to provide a gap between the cover and the motor in the mounted state.
According to the drive system on the third side, the heat of the motor is suppressed from being directly transferred to the cover, so that the temperature rise of the cover is suppressed. Further, according to the drive system on the third side, air is circulated between the motor and the cover, and it is easy to bring the air into contact with the motor.

In the drive system of the fourth side according to any one of the first to third sides of the present disclosure, the cover is such that the drive unit is attached to the human-powered vehicle and, in the mounted state, of the human-powered vehicle. The housing and at least one of the through holes are provided in the first portion, including a first portion arranged in front of the housing and at least a portion of the motor in the traveling direction.
According to the drive system on the fourth side, when the human-powered vehicle moves forward, it is easy to take in the air outside the cover into the cover.

In a fifth side drive system according to any one of the first to fourth sides of the present disclosure, the cover covers the housing and the motor when the drive unit is attached to the human-powered vehicle and in the attached state. The slit and at least one of the through holes are provided in the second portion, including a second portion located below at least a portion of the slit.
According to the drive system on the fifth side, the water flowing into the cover is easily discharged to the outside of the cover.

In the drive system of the sixth side according to any one of the first to fifth sides of the present disclosure, the cover is such that the drive unit is attached to the human-powered vehicle and the traveling of the human-powered vehicle in the mounted state. The slit and at least one of the through holes are provided in the third portion, including a third portion located behind the housing and at least a portion of the motor in the direction.
According to the drive system on the sixth side, when the human-powered vehicle moves forward, the air inside the cover is easily discharged to the outside of the cover.

In the drive system of the seventh side according to any one of the first to sixth sides of the present disclosure, the cover covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the motor around the rotation axis of the motor in the mounted state. At least one of the slit and the through hole is provided in the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion, including the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion configured as described above.
According to the drive system on the seventh side surface, it is easy to bring air into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the motor around the rotation axis of the motor.

In the drive system of the eighth side according to any one of the first to seventh sides of the present disclosure, the cover covers at least a part of the end face of the motor in the direction along the rotation axis of the motor in the mounted state. The motor end face covering portion is configured to cover, and at least one of the slit and the through hole is provided in the motor end face covering portion.
According to the drive system on the eighth side surface, it is easy to bring air into contact with the end face of the motor in the direction along the rotation axis of the motor.

In the drive system of the ninth side surface according to any one of the first to eighth side surfaces of the present disclosure, a resin member integrally molded with the motor is further provided, and the resin member is in a direction along the rotation axis of the motor. It is provided on at least a part of the end face.
According to the drive system on the ninth side surface, the resin member can suppress heat transfer from the end face to the user in the direction along the rotation axis of the motor.

In the drive system of the tenth aspect according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present disclosure, the slit includes the plurality of the slits, and at least one of the plurality of slits is formed linearly. ..
According to the drive system on the tenth side, it is easy to form a slit.

In the drive system of the eleventh aspect according to any one of the first to tenth aspects of the present disclosure, the slit includes the plurality of the slits, and at least one of the plurality of slits includes the first slit and the said slit. It is composed of a second slit that intersects the first slit.
According to the drive system on the eleventh side surface, when a plurality of slits are formed in the cover, it is easy to secure the rigidity of the cover.

In a drive system on a twelfth side according to any one of the first to eleventh sides of the present disclosure, the through holes include a plurality of through holes, and the plurality of through holes are arranged so as to form a honeycomb structure. Will be done.
According to the drive system on the twelfth side surface, it is easy to secure the rigidity of the cover due to the honeycomb structure.

In a thirteenth aspect drive system according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present disclosure, the housing is configured to rotatably support the crankshaft.
According to the drive system on the thirteenth side, the crankshaft and the motor can be provided in the same housing.

In the drive system on the fourteenth side according to any one of the first to twelfth sides of the present disclosure, the rotation shaft of the motor is arranged parallel to the crankshaft.
According to the drive system on the fourteenth side surface, the end surface of the cover in the direction along the rotation axis of the motor can be arranged on the side surface of the human-powered vehicle.

The cover according to the fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a cover for a drive unit of a human-powered vehicle, and the drive unit is provided with a housing configured to be attached to a frame of the human-powered vehicle and a housing provided on the housing and said to be human-powered. It comprises a motor configured to impart propulsion to the driving vehicle, the cover is at least partially formed of a resin material, and the cover is at least one of the housing and the frame of the human-powered vehicle. It is configured to cover at least a part of the housing and the motor in a mounting state in which it is mounted to at least one of the housing and the frame of the manpower-driven vehicle. The housing and the portion covering the at least a part of the motor include a main body portion in which at least one of a slit having a width of 10 mm or less and a through hole having a maximum width of 10 mm or less is formed.

According to the cover on the fifteenth side surface, the cover can cover at least a part of the housing and the motor, so that heat transfer from the drive unit to the user can be suppressed. Further, according to the cover on the fifteenth side surface, it is easy to bring the outside air into contact with the drive unit through at least one of the slit and the through hole, and the temperature rise of the motor can be suppressed. Further, according to the cover on the fifteenth side surface, the width of the slit is 10 mm or less and the maximum width of the through hole is 10 mm or less, so that the user's finger comes into contact with the drive unit through the slit or through hole of the cover. Can be suppressed.

In the cover of the 16th side surface according to the 15th side surface of the present disclosure, the main body portion is configured to cover at least a part of the motor in the mounted state, and the slit and the at least one of the through holes are It is provided in a portion of the main body that covers the motor.
According to the cover on the 16th side surface, it is easy to bring the outside air into contact with the motor through at least one of the slit and the through hole.

In the cover of the 17th side surface according to the 15th or 16th side surface of the present disclosure, the main body portion is configured so that a gap is provided between the main body portion and the motor in the mounted state.
According to the cover on the 17th side surface, the heat of the motor is suppressed from being directly transferred to the cover, so that the temperature rise of the cover is suppressed. Further, according to the drive system on the 17th side surface, air is circulated between the motor and the cover, and it is easy to bring the air into contact with the motor.

The drive unit according to the eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, and has a housing configured to be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle and a housing provided in the housing to provide propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle. A motor configured to impart and a resin member formed of a resin material are provided, and a portion of the housing that covers the motor and at least a portion of the motor have a metal portion formed of metal. However, the resin member is fixed to the metal portion by integral molding and is configured to be exposed to the outside.

According to the drive unit on the eighteenth side surface, since the resin material having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the metal covers the metal portion, it is possible to suppress heat transfer from the drive unit to the user when the user comes into contact with the drive unit.

In the drive unit on the 19th side according to the 18th side of the present disclosure, the motor includes a case for accommodating the stator and rotor of the motor, the case includes the metal portion, and the resin member is said in the case. It is provided on the end face portion in the direction along the rotation axis of the motor.
According to the drive unit on the 19th side surface, the resin member is provided in the portion where the temperature tends to be high.

In the drive unit on the twentieth side according to the nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the housing is formed of at least a part of metal and includes a motor accommodating portion for accommodating the stator and rotor of the motor, and the resin member is the resin member. It is provided at the end face portion of the motor accommodating portion in the direction along the rotation axis of the motor.
According to the drive unit on the 20th side surface, the resin member is provided in the portion where the temperature tends to be high.

In the drive unit on the 21st side according to any one of the 18th to 20th sides of the present disclosure, the resin member includes at least one heat radiation fin.
According to the drive unit on the 21st side surface, heat can be efficiently dissipated from the resin member.

The drive unit, drive system, and cover of the present disclosure can suppress heat transfer to the user.

A side view of a human-powered vehicle including a drive system for the human-powered vehicle of the first embodiment. The perspective view of the drive system for the man-powered vehicle of 1st Embodiment. An exploded perspective view of the drive system of FIG. A side view of the drive system of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drive system along the VV line of FIG. The perspective view of the drive system for the man-powered vehicle of 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view of the drive system for the man-powered vehicle of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second member of the first cover with respect to a modified example of the drive system of FIG. 7. The perspective view of the drive system for the man-powered vehicle of 4th Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the drive system taken along line XX of FIG. The perspective view of the cover for the drive unit of the man-powered driving vehicle of 5th Embodiment. An exploded perspective view of a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle according to a sixth embodiment. An exploded perspective view of a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle according to a seventh embodiment. A side view of the third member including another example of the slit. A side view of the third member including a through hole.

<First Embodiment>
A drive system for a human-powered vehicle according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Hereinafter, the drive system 38 for a human-powered vehicle will be simply referred to as a drive system 38. The human-powered vehicle 10 is a vehicle that can be driven by at least a human-powered driving force. The human-powered vehicle 10 includes various types of bicycles such as mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, cargo bikes, and recumbent bicycles, as well as electric bicycles (E-bikes). The number of wheels of the human-powered vehicle 10 is not limited, and includes, for example, a unicycle and a vehicle having three or more wheels. Electric bicycles include electrically assisted bicycles that assist the propulsion of a vehicle by an electric motor. Hereinafter, in the embodiment, the human-powered vehicle 10 will be described as a bicycle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the human-powered vehicle 10 includes a first wheel 12A and a second wheel 12B. In the present embodiment, the first wheel 12A includes a front wheel and the second wheel 12B includes a rear wheel. The human-powered vehicle 10 further includes a crank 14. The human-powered vehicle 10 further includes a vehicle body 16. The vehicle body 16 includes a frame 18. A human-powered driving force is input to the crank 14. The crank 14 includes a crankshaft 14A rotatable with respect to the frame 18 and a pair of crankarms 14B provided at axial ends of the crankshaft 14A, respectively. A pair of pedals 20 are connected to the pair of crank arms 14B, respectively. In this embodiment, the rear wheels are the driving wheels. The drive wheels are driven by the rotation of the crank 14. The drive wheels are supported by the frame 18. The crank 14 and the drive wheels are connected by a drive mechanism 22. The drive mechanism 22 includes a first rotating body 24 connected to the crankshaft 14A. The crankshaft 14A and the first rotating body 24 may be connected so as to rotate integrally, or may be connected via a first one-way clutch. The first one-way clutch causes the first rotating body 24 to rotate forward when the crank 14 rotates forward, and allows the relative rotation between the crank 14 and the first rotating body 24 when the crank 14 rotates backward. It is composed of. The first rotating body 24 includes a sprocket, a pulley, or a bevel gear. The drive mechanism 22 further includes a second rotating body 26 and a connecting member 28. The connecting member 28 transmits the rotational force of the first rotating body 24 to the second rotating body 26. The connecting member 28 includes, for example, a chain, a belt, or a shaft.

The second rotating body 26 is connected to the drive wheels. The second rotating body 26 includes a sprocket, a pulley, or a bevel gear. A second one-way clutch is preferably provided between the second rotating body 26 and the drive wheels. The second one-way clutch causes the drive wheels to rotate forward when the second rotating body 26 rotates forward, and causes relative rotation between the second rotating body 26 and the drive wheels when the second rotating body 26 rotates backward. Configured to tolerate.

The second wheel 12B may include the front wheels and the first wheel 12A may include the rear wheels. The vehicle body 16 further includes a front fork 30, a stem 32, and a handlebar 34. A front wheel is attached to the frame 18 via a front fork 30. A handlebar 34 is connected to the front fork 30 via a stem 32. In the following embodiments, the rear wheels will be described as driving wheels, but the front wheels may be driving wheels, and both the front wheels and the rear wheels may be driving wheels.

The human-powered vehicle 10 includes a battery 36 for the human-powered vehicle. The battery 36 includes one or more battery elements. The battery element includes a rechargeable battery. The battery 36 is provided, for example, in the frame 18. For example, at least a part of the battery 36 may be housed in the frame 18, the whole battery 36 may be housed in the frame 18, or may be provided outside the frame 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, the human-powered vehicle 10 includes a drive system 38. In this embodiment, the drive system 38 is provided on the frame 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive system 38 is a drive system 38 for a manpowered vehicle and can be attached to at least one of a drive unit 40 and a housing 44 and a frame 18 of the manpowered vehicle 10. It includes a cover 42 that is configured and at least partially formed of a resin material. The resin material includes, for example, ABS resin (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive unit 40 is provided in a housing 44 that can be attached to the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10 and is provided in the housing 44 so as to apply propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle 10. A motor 46 configured in the above is provided.

The motor 46 includes an electric motor. Electric motors include, for example, brushless motors. The motor 46 includes a stator 46A, a rotor 46B, and a motor accommodating portion 46C that accommodates the stator 46A and the rotor 46B. The rotor 46B is provided with a rotating shaft 46D. The motor 46 includes an end surface 48 in the direction XD along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46 and an outer peripheral surface 50 around the rotation shaft 46D. The motor accommodating portion 46C may be formed of metal. Inside the end face portion 46E of the motor accommodating portion 46C, a receiving portion 46F that rotatably supports one end of the rotating shaft 46D of the motor 46 is provided. The motor 46 is configured to transmit rotation to the second wheel 12B or the first wheel 12A. In the present embodiment, the motor 46 is configured to transmit the rotation of the motor 46 to the first rotating body 24. The power transmission path between the motor 46 and the crankshaft 14A preferably prevents the motor 46 from rotating due to the rotational force of the crank 14 when the crankshaft 14A is rotated in the direction in which the human-powered vehicle 10 advances. A third one-way clutch is provided.

The motor 46 is controlled by the control unit 54. The control unit 54 includes a drive circuit of the motor 46. The drive circuit includes an inverter circuit. The control unit 54 controls the motor 46 by controlling the electric power supplied from the battery 36 to the motor 46. The control unit 54 is configured to drive the motor 46 in response to a human-powered driving force input to the crank 14.

Preferably, the drive unit 40 includes a crankshaft 14A, an output unit 51, and a power transmission unit 52. The output unit 51 is connected to the crankshaft 14A. The output unit 51 is provided with the first rotating body 24. The output unit 51 is arranged coaxially with the crankshaft 14A. A part of the output unit 51 is exposed from the housing 44. The output unit 51 may be directly connected to the crankshaft 14A, or may be connected via a first one-way clutch. The power transmission unit 52 is configured to transmit the power of the motor 46 to the first rotating body 24. The power transmission unit 52 includes, for example, a speed reducer. The reduction gear may include, for example, a plurality of gears, may include a planetary gear mechanism, and may include a pair of pulleys and a belt. The rotating shaft 46D of the motor 46 is arranged parallel to the crankshaft 14A. Preferably, the drive unit 40 further includes a human power sensor that outputs information according to the human power driving force input to the crank 14. The human-powered sensor is configured to output information according to, for example, the distortion of the output unit 51 or the distortion of the connecting member connecting the output unit 51 and the crankshaft 14A. Human-powered sensors include, for example, strain gauges or magnetostrictive sensors. The information output from the human power sensor is given to the control unit 54. The control unit 54 is configured to drive the motor 46 so that, for example, the ratio of the human-powered driving force and the assisting force of the motor becomes a predetermined value according to the information output from the human-powered sensor. .. The predetermined value may be a constant value, may be changed according to the speed, or may be changed according to the human-powered driving force.

The housing 44 is configured to support the motor 46. The housing 44 is configured to support the power transmission unit 52. The housing 44 is configured to support the control unit 54. The housing 44 is configured to rotatably support the crankshaft 14A. The crankshaft 14A penetrates the housing 44, and both ends in the axial direction are exposed from the housing 44.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 44 includes a first support 56 that supports the motor 46. The housing 44 includes a second support 58 that supports the crankshaft 14A and the power transmission 52. The housing 44 includes a third support 60 that supports the control 54. The housing 44 supports the motor 46 so that the rotating shaft 46D of the motor 46 and the crankshaft 14A are parallel to each other. The housing 44 rotatably supports the crankshaft 14A via bearings. The housing 44 may indirectly support the crankshaft 14A rotatably. The housing 44 may rotatably support the crankshaft 14A via, for example, the output section 51. Preferably, the housing 44 is made of metal. The metal includes, for example, an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. The housing 44 may be made of synthetic resin.

In this embodiment, the housing 44 includes a first housing member 62 and a second housing member 64. The second housing member 64 is arranged on one side of the crankshaft 14A in the axial direction with respect to the first housing member 62. The second housing member 64 is attached to the first housing member 62 by a plurality of fastener members 66. The fastener member 66 includes, for example, bolts. The crankshaft 14A is arranged so as to penetrate the first housing member 62 and the second housing member 64 in the axial direction of the crankshaft 14A.

The first housing member 62 includes a first support portion 56, a second support portion 58, and a third support portion 60. The second housing member 64 includes a first support portion 56 and a second support portion 58. A power transmission unit 52 and a control unit 54 are housed between the first housing member 62 and the second housing member 64. The third support portion 60 may be provided on the second housing member 64. The housing 44 may be configured to include three or more housing portions.

The housing 44 is provided with a plurality of mounting portions 68. In the present embodiment, the first housing member 62 is provided with three mounting portions 68. The mounting portion 68 is fixed to the frame 18 by bolts 68A. The drive system 38 is fixed to the frame 18 by attaching the housing 44 to the frame 18 via the attachment portion 68.

A part of the cover 42 is attached to at least one of the housing 44 and the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10. In the present embodiment, as for the cover 42, a part of the cover 42 is attached to the housing 44. The cover 42 is configured to cover at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46 in a mounted state attached to at least one of the housing 44 and the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10, and the housing 44 and the motor 46. At least one of a slit 72 having a width of 10 mm or less and a through hole 74 having a maximum width of 10 mm or less is formed in a portion 70 that covers at least a part thereof. The slit 72 may extend straight or may be curved. The total length of the slit 72 may be 10 mm or more. The width of the slit 72 is preferably 1 mm or more. The slit 72 may include a plurality of slits 72. In this embodiment, at least one of the plurality of slits 72 is formed in a straight line. The slit 72 penetrates the cover 42.

In one example, the cross section of the through hole 74 perpendicular to the through direction has at least one shape of a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a triangle, a quadrangle, and five or more polygons. The through hole 74 may have any shape as long as the maximum width of the cross section perpendicular to the penetration direction of the through hole 74 is 10 m or less. The maximum width of the through hole 74 is the largest dimension of the through hole 74 in the direction perpendicular to the penetration direction. For example, when the cross section of the through hole 74 perpendicular to the through direction is an ellipse, the maximum width is the length of the major axis. When the cross section of the through hole 74 perpendicular to the through direction is rectangular, the maximum width is the length of the diagonal line. The maximum width of the through hole 74 is preferably 1 mm or more. When a plurality of through holes 74 are present, at least one through hole 74 may be formed in a shape different from that of the other through holes 74.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the cross section perpendicular to the penetrating direction of the through hole 74 is a regular hexagon. In the case of a regular hexagon, the maximum width of the through hole 74 is the length between a pair of vertices at positions facing each other. When the cross section perpendicular to the penetration direction of the through hole 74 is a regular hexagon, as shown in FIG. 15, the through hole 74 may be arranged so that the sides of the adjacent regular hexagons face each other. The sequence is not limited to the sequence shown in FIG.

The cover 42 includes mounting portions 76A, 78A that attach the cover 42 to at least one of the housing 44 and the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10. In one example, the mounting portions 76A, 78A include holes through which bolts are inserted. In this case, the cover 42 is bolted to at least one of the housing 44 and the frame 18 of the manpowered vehicle 10.

Preferably, the cover 42 is configured to cover at least a portion of the motor 46 in the mounted state. At least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in the portion 70 of the cover 42 that covers the motor 46.

For example, preferably, the cover 42 includes a motor end face covering portion 88 configured to cover at least a part of the end face 48 of the motor 46 in the direction XD along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46 in the mounted state. Preferably, at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in the motor end face covering portion 88.

As shown in FIG. 5, preferably, the cover 42 is configured so that a gap SA is provided between the cover 42 and the motor 46 in the mounted state. In the present embodiment, a gap SA is provided at least between the motor end face covering portion 88 of the cover 42 and the end face 48 of the motor 46. A part of the cover 42 may come into contact with a part of the end face 48 of the motor 46. When a part of the cover 42 comes into contact with a part of the end face 48 of the motor 46, the relative position between the motor end face covering portion 88 of the cover 42 and the end face 48 of the motor 46 is well maintained. The cover 42 may be configured so as not to come into contact with the end face 48 of the motor 46. The inner space SB including the gap SA is connected to the outside of the cover 42 through the slit 72 or the through hole 74.

Preferably, the cover 42 is arranged in front of at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46 in the traveling direction FD of the human-powered vehicle 10 when the drive unit 40 is attached to the human-powered vehicle 10 and the cover 42 is attached. The first part 82 is included. Preferably, at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in the first portion 82.

Preferably, the cover 42 includes a second portion 84 in which the drive unit 40 is mounted on the manpower vehicle 10 and is located below at least a portion of the housing 44 and the motor 46 in the mounted state of the cover 42. Preferably, at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in the second portion 84.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the cover 42 includes a first cover 76 that mainly covers the first housing member 62 and the motor 46, and a second cover 78 that mainly covers the second housing member 64. including. The first cover 76 includes one or more mounting portions 76A. The first cover 76 has a first shaft through hole 76B through which the crankshaft 14A is inserted. The second cover 78 includes one or more mounting portions 78A. The second cover 78 has a second shaft through hole 78B through which the crankshaft 14A is inserted.

In the present embodiment, the first cover 76 and the second cover 78 are attached to the housing 44 so that the opening 80 is formed between the first cover 76 and the second cover 78. A cover 76 and a second cover 78 are configured. With the drive unit 40 attached to the human-powered vehicle 10 and the cover 42 attached to the drive unit 40, the opening 80 opens toward the frame 18. The opening 80 is configured such that the mounting portion 68 of the housing 44 is exposed from the cover 42.

The first cover 76 and the second cover 78 may each be composed of one member or may be composed of a plurality of members. The first cover 76 includes, for example, a first member 90 including a first portion 82, a second member 92 including a second portion 84, and a third member 94 including a motor end face covering portion 88. The first cover 76 is configured as an assembly of the first member 90, the second member 92, and the third member 94. For example, when the cover 42 has a complicated shape, or when the cover 42 is formed by using a plurality of different materials, the cover 42 is manufactured by being divided into a plurality of members. It will be easier to do.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first member 90 includes a first side surface portion 90A that covers at least a part of the periphery of the end surface 48 of the motor 46, and a front side of the drive unit 40 in the traveling direction FD of the human-powered vehicle 10. A front surface 90B covering at least a part of the housing 44, a first bottom surface 90E covering at least one lower side of the housing 44 and the motor 46, and at least one upper side of the housing 44 and the motor 46. Includes an upper surface portion 90F to cover. The front surface portion 90B includes a first portion 82. The first bottom surface portion 90E includes a second portion 84. In the present embodiment, a plurality of slits 72 are provided in the first portion 82 of the front surface portion 90B of the first member 90.

The second member 92 includes a second side surface portion 92A that covers at least a part around the end surface 48 of the motor 46, a third side surface portion 92B that covers the circumference of the crankshaft 14A, and at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46. Includes a second bottom surface portion 92C that covers the lower side. The second shaft through hole 78B is provided in the third side surface portion 92B. The second bottom surface portion 92C includes a second portion 84. In the present embodiment, a plurality of slits 72 are provided in the second portion 84 of the second bottom surface portion 92C of the second member 92. At least one of the plurality of slits 72 provided in the second member 92 is provided in the vicinity of the crankshaft 14A. At least one of the plurality of slits 72 provided in the second member 92 is provided in the vicinity of the motor 46.

As shown in FIG. 3, the third member 94 includes a motor end face covering portion 88 and one or a plurality of engaging portions 94A provided on the outer peripheral edge of the motor end face covering portion 88 and engaging with the second member 92. Including. The third member 94 is provided with a plurality of slits 72. In the present embodiment, the slit 72 provided in the motor end face covering portion 88 extends along the traveling direction FD of the human-powered vehicle 10. The plurality of slits 72 provided in the motor end face covering portion 88 are all formed in a straight line, for example. The plurality of slits 72 provided in the motor end face covering portion 88 are arranged in parallel with each other, for example. The plurality of slits 72 provided in the motor end face covering portion 88 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals with each other.

The slit 72 provided in the motor end face covering portion 88 may extend in a direction intersecting the traveling direction FD of the human-powered vehicle 10. The arrangement of the plurality of slits 72 provided in the motor end face covering portion 88 is not particularly limited. The plurality of slits 72 provided in the motor end face covering portion 88 may be arranged at random, for example.

<Second Embodiment>
The drive system 38 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cover 42 of the drive system 38 of the present embodiment is different in that the cover 42 of the drive system 38 of the first actual configuration does not cover the rear part of the drive unit 40, whereas it covers the rear part of the drive unit 40. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the drive system 38 of the first embodiment, the configurations common to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The third cover 42 is arranged behind at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46 in the traveling direction FD of the human-powered vehicle 10 when the drive unit 40 is attached to the human-powered vehicle 10 and the cover 42 is attached. Includes portion 86. At least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in the third portion 86.

In this embodiment, the third portion 86 is provided on at least one of the first cover 76 and the second cover 78. The third portion 86 may be integrally molded with at least a part of the first cover 76 or the second cover 78. The third portion 86 may be composed of a member different from the first cover 76 and the second cover 78. The third portion 86 is configured to be in contact with the first cover 76 and the second cover 78. By bringing the third portion 86 into contact with the first cover 76 and the second cover 78, the rigidity of the rear portion of the cover 42 is improved.

When the cover 42 includes the third portion 86, the third portion 86 is provided with at least one of a slit 72 and a through hole 74 so that when the manpowered vehicle 10 advances, the cover 42 and at least one of the housing and the motor The air between them can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the cover 42 through at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 of the third portion 86.

In the cover 42 of the present embodiment, at least one of the first cover 76 and the second cover 78 may be omitted, and among the first cover 76, the first portion 82, the second portion 84, and the motor end face covering portion 88 At least one of may be omitted. In the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of slits 72 provided in the first cover 76 may be omitted, or at least one of the plurality of through holes 74 provided in the first cover 76 may be omitted.

<Third Embodiment>
The drive system 38 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8. The drive system 38 of the first embodiment has the first embodiment in that at least one of a slit 72 and a through hole 74 is provided in a portion 70 of the cover 42 that covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface 50 of the motor 46. Different from drive system 38. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the drive system 38 of the first embodiment, the configurations common to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The cover 42 includes motor outer peripheral surface covering portions 96A and 96B configured to cover at least a part of the outer peripheral surface 50 of the motor 46 around the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46 in the mounted state. At least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in the motor outer peripheral surface covering portions 96A and 96B.

In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first cover 76 is configured as an assembly of the first member 90, the second member 92, and the third member 94.
The first member 90 includes a first side surface portion 90A that covers at least a part around an end surface 48 of the motor 46, a front surface portion 90B that covers the front side of the drive unit 40 in the traveling direction FD of the human-powered vehicle 10, a housing 44, and a motor. Includes a first bottom surface 90E that covers at least a portion of the underside of the 46 and a top surface 90F that covers the top of at least a portion of the housing 44 and motor 46. The front surface portion 90B includes the above-mentioned first portion 82.

The front surface portion 90B includes a first front surface portion 90C and a second front surface portion 90D that are adjacent to each other in a direction along the axial direction of the crankshaft 14A. The first front surface portion 90C is configured to cover at least a part of the housing 44. The second front surface portion 90D extends from the first front surface portion 90C to the first side surface portion 90A. The second front surface portion 90D includes a curved surface. The second front surface portion 90D is configured to cover at least a part of the outer peripheral surface 50 of the motor 46 around the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46. The second front surface portion 90D includes a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A. The motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A is provided with at least one of a slit 72 and a through hole 74.

In the cover 42, the second cover 78 may be omitted, and at least one of the second portion 84 and the motor end face covering portion 88 of the first cover 76 may be omitted. Of the plurality of slits 72 provided in the first cover 76, at least one other than the slits 72 provided in the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A may be omitted, and the plurality of through holes 74 provided in the first cover 76 may be omitted. Of these, at least one other than the through hole 74 provided in the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A may be omitted.

Another example of the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B will be described with reference to FIG. The second member 92 includes a second side surface portion 92A that covers at least a part around the end surface 48 of the motor 46, a third side surface portion 92B that covers the circumference of the crankshaft 14A, and at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46. Includes a second bottom surface portion 92C that covers the lower side.

Preferably, the second member 92 includes a reinforcing portion 98 that reinforces the second member 92. The reinforcing portion 98 extends from the second side surface portion 92A toward the housing 44. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing portion 98 is configured to divide the space formed between the housing 44 and the outer peripheral surface 50 of the motor 46. The reinforcing portion 98 is configured to cover at least a part of the outer peripheral surface 50 of the motor 46 around the rotating shaft 46D of the motor 46. The reinforcing portion 98 includes a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B. The motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B is provided with at least one of a slit 72 and a through hole 74. In the present embodiment, a plurality of slits 72 are provided in the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B.

In the cover 42, the second cover 78 may be omitted, and at least one of the first cover 76, the first portion 82, and the motor end face covering portion 88 may be omitted. In the present embodiment, of the plurality of slits 72 provided in the first cover 76, at least one other than the slit 72 of the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B may be omitted, and the plurality of penetrations provided in the first cover 76 may be omitted. At least one of the holes 74 may be omitted, and at least one of the plurality of through holes 74 provided in the first cover 76 other than the through holes 74 provided in the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B may be omitted. Good.

<Fourth Embodiment>
The drive system 38 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 10. The drive system 38 of the present embodiment is different from the drive system 38 of the third actual form in that it includes a resin member 100 integrally molded with the motor 46. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the drive system 38 of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are assigned to the configurations common to the third embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The drive system 38 includes a drive unit 40 and a cover 42. The drive system 38 further includes a resin member 100 integrally molded with the motor 46. The resin member 100 is provided on at least a part of the end face 48 in the direction XD along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46. The resin member 100 is preferably provided in a range of 90% or more of the end face 48 in the direction XD along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46.

As shown in FIG. 10, the resin member 100 is provided in the motor accommodating portion 46C at the end face portion 46E in the direction XD along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46. In this embodiment, the motor accommodating portion 46C is made of metal. The resin member 100 is integrally molded with the motor accommodating portion 46C. In one example, insert molding forms a motor accommodating portion 46C having a resin member 100. The resin member 100 may be welded to the motor accommodating portion 46C. The resin member 100 may be adhered to the motor accommodating portion 46C by an adhesive. The resin member 100 may be fixed to the motor accommodating portion 46C by coating. The resin member 100 includes at least one heat radiation fin 102. Specifically, the resin member 100 includes a base portion 104 that comes into contact with the end surface of the motor accommodating portion 46C, and one or a plurality of heat radiating fins 102 that protrude from the base portion 104. The resin member includes PPS (Poly Phenylene Sulfide), PBT (Poly Butylene Terephthalate), and the like. The heat radiating fin 102 preferably extends along the traveling direction FD of the human-powered vehicle 10. In the present embodiment, the base portion 104 is provided with a plurality of heat radiation fins 102. The base portion 104 and the plurality of heat radiation fins 102 are integrally formed. The plurality of heat radiation fins 102 are all formed in a straight line, for example. The plurality of heat radiation fins 102 are arranged in parallel with each other, for example. The plurality of heat radiation fins 102 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals from each other. In this embodiment, the metal includes, for example, an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. In the present embodiment, the resin material includes PPS, PBT, and the like.

The cover 42 of the present embodiment does not include the motor end face covering portion 88, and has an opening 106 that opens in the direction along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46, as shown in FIG. The cover 42 is configured such that at least a part of the resin member 100 is exposed from the opening 106 of the cover 42. In one example, the first cover 76 is configured as an assembly of the first member 90 and the second member 92. The first cover 76 has an opening 106. With the cover 42 attached to the housing 44, the resin member 100 is exposed from the opening 106 of the cover 42. In the drive system 38 of the present embodiment, at least one of the first cover 76 and the second cover 78 may be omitted, and among the first cover 76, the first portion 82, the second portion 84, and the motor end face covering portion. At least one of 88 may be omitted. In the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of slits 72 provided in the cover 42 may be omitted, or at least one of the plurality of through holes 74 provided in the cover 42 may be omitted.

<Fifth Embodiment>
The cover 42 of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the cover 42 of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the cover 42 of the drive system 38 of the first actual configuration, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are assigned to the configurations common to those of the first embodiment. , Omit duplicate description.

The cover 42 is a cover 42 for the drive unit 40 of the human-powered vehicle 10. In one example, the cover 42 is configured to cover at least a portion of the drive unit 40 by being attached to the drive unit 40. In another example, the cover 42 is configured to cover at least a portion of the drive unit 40 by being attached to the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The cover 42 is configured to be removable with respect to the drive unit 40 or the frame 18.

The drive unit 40 includes a housing 44 that can be attached to the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10, and a motor 46 that is provided in the housing 44 and is configured to apply propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle 10.

The cover 42 is at least partially formed of a resin material. The cover 42 includes mounting portions 76A and 78A that can be attached to at least one of the housing 44 and the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10, and a main body portion 108.

The main body 108 is configured to cover at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46 when attached to at least one of the housing 44 and the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10. In the main body 108, at least one of a slit 72 having a width of 10 mm or less and a through hole 74 having a maximum width of 10 mm or less is formed in a portion 70 that covers at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46.

Preferably, the body 108 is configured to cover at least a portion of the motor 46 in the mounted state. At least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in the portion 70 of the main body 108 that covers the motor 46.

Preferably, the main body 108 is configured so that a gap SA is provided between the main body 108 and the motor 46 in the mounted state. In one example, the main body 108 is configured so that a gap SA is provided between the motor end face covering portion 88 of the cover 42 and the end face 48 of the motor 46.

In this embodiment, the cover 42 includes a first cover 76 and a second cover 78. The first cover 76 includes a first cover main body portion 110 and a mounting portion 76A. The first cover main body 110 is configured to cover at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46. The first cover main body 110 includes at least one of a first portion 82, a second portion 84, and a motor end face covering portion 88. The configuration of the first portion 82, the configuration of the second portion 84, and the configuration of the motor end face covering portion 88 are the same as the configurations shown in the first embodiment.

The second cover 78 includes a second cover main body portion 112 and a mounting portion 78A. The second cover main body 112 is configured to cover at least a part of the housing 44 and the motor 46. In the present embodiment, the second cover main body 112 covers a part of the housing 44.

In the present embodiment, the main body 108 includes the first cover main body 110 of the first cover 76 and the second cover main body 112 of the second cover 78. At least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 is provided in at least one of the first portion 82 and the second portion 84 of the first cover main body 110 of the first cover 76, and the motor end face covering portion 88. At least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74 may be provided in the second cover 78.

<Sixth Embodiment>
The drive unit 40 of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The drive unit 40 of the present embodiment is different from the drive unit 40 of the fourth actual configuration in that the cover 42 is not provided. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the drive unit 40 of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the fourth embodiment are assigned to the configurations common to the fourth embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The drive unit 40 is a drive unit 40 for a human-powered vehicle. The drive unit 40 is made of a housing 44 that can be attached to the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10, a motor 46 that is provided in the housing 44 and is configured to apply propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle 10, and a resin material. A resin member 100 to be formed is provided.

A portion of the housing 44 that covers the motor and at least a portion of the motor 46 have a metal portion formed of metal. The resin member 100 is integrally molded with a metal portion and is configured to be exposed to the outside. In this embodiment, the metal includes, for example, an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. In the present embodiment, the resin material includes PPS, PBT, and the like.

In this embodiment, the motor 46 includes a case 114 that houses the stator 46A and rotor 46B. The case 114 includes a metal part. The resin member 100 is provided on the end face portion 116 of the case 114 in the direction XD along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46.

The case 114 is substantially the same as the motor accommodating portion 46C in the first embodiment. The case 114 includes an end face portion 116 and a cylindrical peripheral surface portion 118 provided along the outer periphery of the end face portion 116. Inside the end face portion 116 of the case 114, a receiving portion 46F that rotatably supports one end of the rotating shaft 46D of the motor 46 is provided. In this embodiment, the case 114 is entirely made of metal.

The resin member 100 includes at least one heat radiation fin 102. Specifically, the resin member 100 includes a base portion 104 that comes into contact with the end face portion 116 of the case 114, and a heat radiation fin 102 that protrudes from the base portion 104.

<7th Embodiment>
The drive unit 40 of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The drive unit 40 of the present embodiment is different from the drive unit 40 of the sixth actual form in that the motor accommodating portion 120 is provided in the housing 44. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the drive unit 40 of the sixth actual embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the sixth embodiment are assigned to the configurations common to the sixth embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The drive unit 40 is a drive unit 40 for a human-powered vehicle. The drive unit 40 is made of a housing 44 that can be attached to the frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10, a motor 46 that is provided in the housing 44 and is configured to apply propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle 10, and a resin material. A resin member 100 to be formed is provided.

At least a portion of the housing 44 and the motor 46 has metal parts formed of metal. The resin member 100 is integrally molded with a metal portion and is configured to be exposed to the outside.

In the present embodiment, the housing 44 includes a motor accommodating portion 120, which is at least partially formed of metal and accommodates the stator 46A and rotor 46B of the motor 46. The resin member 100 is provided in the motor accommodating portion 120 at the end face portion 122 in the direction XD along the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46.

The motor accommodating portion 120 includes an end face portion 122 and a cylindrical peripheral surface portion 124 provided along the outer periphery of the end face portion 122. The peripheral surface portion 124 is provided so as to project from the third support portion 60 of the first housing member 62. The motor accommodating portion 120 may be integrally molded with the first housing member 62. The motor accommodating portion 120 may be configured as a separate member from the first housing member 62. Inside the end face portion 122 of the motor accommodating portion 120, a receiving portion 46F that rotatably supports one end of the rotating shaft 46D of the motor 46 is provided.

The resin member 100 includes at least one heat radiation fin 102. Specifically, the resin member 100 includes a base portion 104 that comes into contact with the end surface of the motor accommodating portion 120, and a heat radiation fin 102 that protrudes from the base portion 104.

<Modification example>
The description of the embodiment is an example of possible embodiments of the drive system 38, the drive unit 40, and the cover 42 according to the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the embodiments. The drive system 38, the drive unit 40, and the cover 42 according to the present disclosure may take, for example, a modification of the embodiment shown below and a combination of at least two modifications that are consistent with each other. In the following modification, the parts common to the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The form of the slit 72 is not limited to the example of each figure used in the description of each embodiment. FIG. 14 shows the third member 94 of the cover 42. As shown in FIG. 14, the slit 72 may include a plurality of slits 72. At least one of the plurality of slits may be composed of a first slit 72A and a second slit 72B intersecting the first slit 72A. The plurality of slits 72 are any one or two of S-shaped, T-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped, X-shaped, Y-shaped, C-shaped, or H-shaped. It may have one or more.

FIG. 15 shows the third member 94 of the cover 42. As shown in FIG. 15, the through hole 74 includes a plurality of through holes 74. The plurality of through holes 74 may be arranged so as to form a honeycomb structure. In this example, the cross section of the through hole 74 perpendicular to the through direction is hexagonal. The cross section perpendicular to the penetrating direction of the through hole 74 of the honeycomb structure may be circular.

The shape of the cover 42 is not limited to the shape shown in each embodiment and its modifications. The cover 42 may be configured to cover at least a portion of one surface of the drive unit 40 in the axial direction of the crankshaft 14A. The cover 42 may be configured to include at least one of a first portion 82, a second portion 84, a motor end face covering portion 88, and a third portion 86.

-In each embodiment and modification, the rotating shaft 46D of the motor 46 does not have to be arranged parallel to the crankshaft 14A. For example, the extending direction of the rotation shaft 46D of the motor 46 and the extending direction of the crankshaft 14A may intersect, for example, may be orthogonal to each other.

-In each embodiment and its modifications, the drive system 38 can also be applied to a drive unit that does not have a crankshaft 14A. A drive unit that does not have a crankshaft 14A includes, for example, a hub motor.

-In each embodiment and its modifications, the cover 42 may be in close contact with the motor 46 or the housing 44 in the mounted state.

The cover 42 of the drive system 38 may include the configuration of the cover 42 of the second embodiment and the configuration of the cover 42 of the third embodiment. In one example, the cover 42 of the drive system 38 includes a third portion 86 and at least one of the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A and the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B. At least one of the third portion 86, the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A, and the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B has at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74.

The drive system 38 includes at least one of the configuration of the cover 42 of the first embodiment, the configuration of the cover 42 of the second embodiment, and the configuration of the cover 42 of the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The resin member 100 of the fourth embodiment may be included. The resin member 100 of the fourth embodiment is integrally molded with the motor accommodating portion 46C. In one example, the drive system 38 is integrally molded with at least one of a first portion 82, a second portion 84, a third portion 86, a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A, and a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B, and a motor accommodating portion 46C. Resin member 100 and the like. At least one of the first portion 82, the second portion 84, the third portion 86, the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A, and the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B has at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74.

The drive unit 40 of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 does not include the cover 42. The drive system 38 may be configured by attaching a cover 42 similar to the cover 42 of another embodiment to the drive unit 40 of the sixth embodiment. In one example, the drive system 38 includes a cover 42 and a drive unit 40 shown in FIG. A resin member 100 is provided on the case 114 of the motor 46. The cover 42 includes at least one of a first portion 82, a second portion 84, a third portion 86, a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A, and a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B. At least one of the first portion 82, the second portion 84, the third portion 86, the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A, and the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B has at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74.

The drive unit 40 of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 13 does not include the cover 42. The drive system 38 may be configured by attaching a cover 42 similar to the cover 42 of another embodiment to the drive unit 40 of the seventh embodiment. In one example, the drive system 38 includes a cover 42 and a drive unit 40 shown in FIG. The housing 44 of the drive unit 40 includes a motor accommodating portion 120. A resin member 100 is provided in the motor accommodating portion 120. The cover 42 includes at least one of a first portion 82, a second portion 84, a third portion 86, a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A, and a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B. At least one of the first portion 82, the second portion 84, the third portion 86, the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96A, and the motor outer peripheral surface covering portion 96B has at least one of the slit 72 and the through hole 74.

As used herein, the expression "at least one" means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, the expression "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "both two options" if the number of options is two. As another example, the expression "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "combination of two or more arbitrary options" if the number of options is three or more. means.

10 ... Human-powered vehicle, 38 ... Drive system, 40 ... Drive unit, 42 ... Cover, 44 ... Housing, 46 ... Motor 46C ... Motor housing, 46D ... Rotating shaft, 46E ... End face, 48 ... End face, 50 ... Outer surface , 70 ... Part, 72 ... Slit, 74 ... Through hole, 82 ... 1st part, 84 ... 2nd part, 86 ... 3rd part, 88 ... Motor end face covering part, 96A, 96B ... Motor outer peripheral surface covering part, 100 ... Resin member, 102 ... Heat dissipation fin, 108 ... Main body, 114 ... Case, 116 ... End face, 120 ... Motor housing, 122 ... End face, SA ... Gap, FD ... Direction of travel.

Claims (21)

A drive system for human-powered vehicles
A drive unit comprising a housing that can be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, and a motor that is provided in the housing and is configured to impart propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle.
A cover that is configured to be attachable to at least one of the housing and the frame of the human-powered vehicle and is at least partially formed of a resin material.
The cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the housing and the motor when attached to at least one of the housing and the frame of the human-powered vehicle, and the housing and the motor. A drive system in which at least one of a slit having a width of 10 mm or less and a through hole having a maximum width of 10 mm or less is formed in a portion covering at least a part of the drive system. The cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the motor in the mounted state.
The drive system according to claim 1, wherein the slit and at least one of the through holes are provided in a portion of the cover that covers the motor. The drive system according to claim 2, wherein the cover is configured so that a gap is provided between the cover and the motor in the mounted state. The cover includes a first portion in which the drive unit is attached to the human-powered vehicle and, in the mounted state, is arranged in front of the housing and at least a part of the motor in the traveling direction of the human-powered vehicle. Including
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the slit and the through hole is provided in the first portion. The cover includes a second portion in which the drive unit is attached to the human-powered vehicle and, in the attached state, is located below the housing and at least a portion of the motor.
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the slit and the through hole is provided in the second portion. The cover has a third portion in which the drive unit is attached to the human-powered vehicle and, in the mounted state, is arranged behind the housing and at least a portion of the motor in the traveling direction of the human-powered vehicle. Including
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the slit and the through hole is provided in the third portion. The cover includes a motor outer peripheral surface covering portion configured to cover at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the motor around the rotation axis of the motor in the mounted state.
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the slit and the through hole is provided on the outer peripheral surface covering portion of the motor. The cover includes a motor end face covering that is configured to cover at least a portion of the end face of the motor in the mounted state in a direction along the rotation axis of the motor.
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the slit and the through hole is provided in the motor end face covering portion. A resin member integrally molded with the motor is further provided.
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the resin member is provided on at least a part of an end face in a direction along the rotation axis of the motor. The slit includes a plurality of slits.
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of slits is formed in a straight line. The slit includes a plurality of slits.
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of slits is composed of a first slit and a second slit intersecting the first slit. The through hole includes a plurality of through holes.
The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of through holes are arranged so as to form a honeycomb structure. The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing is configured to rotatably support a crankshaft. The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the rotating shaft of the motor is arranged in parallel with the crankshaft. A cover for the drive unit of a human-powered vehicle.
The drive unit includes a housing that can be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, and a motor that is provided in the housing and is configured to apply propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle.
The cover is at least partially formed of a resin material.
The cover is
An attachment that can be attached to at least one of the housing and the frame of the human-powered vehicle.
In a mounted state attached to at least one of the housing and the frame of the human-powered vehicle, it is configured to cover at least a part of the housing and the motor, and at least a part of the housing and the motor. A cover comprising a main body portion in which at least one of a slit having a width of 10 mm or less and a through hole having a maximum width of 10 mm or less is formed in a portion covering the cover. The main body is configured to cover at least a part of the motor in the mounted state.
The cover according to claim 15, wherein the slit and at least one of the through holes are provided in a portion of the main body portion that covers the motor. The cover according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the main body is configured so that a gap is provided between the main body and the motor in the mounted state. A drive unit for human-powered vehicles
A housing that can be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, a motor that is provided in the housing and is configured to apply propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle, and a resin member formed of a resin material. With
A portion of the housing that covers the motor and at least a portion of the motor have a metal portion formed of metal.
The resin member is integrally molded with the metal portion and is configured to be exposed to the outside.
Drive unit. The motor includes a case that houses the stator and rotor of the motor.
The case includes the metal part
The drive unit according to claim 18, wherein the resin member is provided on an end face portion of the case in a direction along the rotation axis of the motor. The housing is at least partially made of metal and includes a motor housing that houses the stator and rotor of the motor.
The drive unit according to claim 19, wherein the resin member is provided on an end face portion of the motor accommodating portion in a direction along the rotation axis of the motor. The drive unit according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the resin member includes at least one heat radiation fin.