JP2021098432A - Communication unit, electric bicycle, management unit, management system, drive system, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow an electric bicycle to be easily managed.SOLUTION: A communication unit 60 includes a start section 61, an acquisition section 62, and a communication section 63. When a power supply of an electric bicycle 2 is off, the start section 61 temporarily starts a motor unit 5 mounted on the electric bicycle 2 and configured to drive a motor 51. The acquisition section 62 communicates with the motor unit 5 started by the start section 61 and thus acquires unit information on the motor unit 5. The communication section 63 transmits the unit information acquired by the acquisition section 62 to an external device (a management unit 3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure generally relates to communication units, electric bicycles, management units, management systems, drive systems, communication methods, and programs. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a communication unit, an electric bicycle, a management unit, a management system, a drive system, a communication method, and a program mounted on an electric bicycle.

Patent Document 1 discloses an electrically assisted bicycle. This electrically assisted bicycle includes a battery that supplies driving power to the motor, a battery status detection unit that detects the battery status, and a notification unit. The notification unit notifies the information based on the battery status detected by the battery status detection unit after the event for turning off the power of the electric auxiliary bicycle occurs.

JP-A-2018-83529

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a communication unit, an electric bicycle, a management unit, a management system, a drive system, a communication method, and a program that facilitate the management of an electric vehicle.

The communication unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an activation unit, an acquisition unit, and a communication unit. When the power of the electric bicycle is turned off, the starting unit temporarily starts the motor unit mounted on the electric bicycle to drive the motor. The acquisition unit acquires unit information about the motor unit by communicating with the motor unit activated by the activation unit. The communication unit transmits the unit information acquired by the acquisition unit to an external device.

The electric bicycle according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned communication unit and the above-mentioned motor unit capable of communicating with the communication unit.

The management unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit and a management unit. The receiving unit receives the unit information from the communication unit. The management unit manages the electric bicycle based on the unit information received by the receiving unit.

The management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the communication unit that can be attached to the electric bicycle and a management unit that is provided separately from the electric bicycle and can communicate with the communication unit. The management unit includes a receiving unit and a management unit. The receiving unit receives the unit information from the communication unit. The management unit manages the electric bicycle based on the unit information received by the receiving unit.

The drive system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the communication unit that can be attached to the electric bicycle and the motor unit that can be attached to the electric bicycle and can communicate with the communication unit.

The communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an activation step, an acquisition step, and a communication step. The activation step is a step of temporarily activating the motor unit mounted on the electric bicycle to drive the motor when the power of the electric bicycle is turned off. The acquisition step is a step of acquiring unit information about the motor unit by communicating with the motor unit activated by the activation step. The communication step is a step of transmitting the unit information acquired in the acquisition step to an external device.

The program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the above-mentioned communication method.

The present disclosure has an advantage that it is easy to manage the electric bicycle.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electric bicycle and a management system including a communication unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the same electric bicycle. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the management system of the same. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the operation of the management system of the same. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing still another example of the operation of the management system of the same.

(1) Outline Hereinafter, the communication unit 60 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 60 is used to manage the electric bicycle 2 in the rental service business in which the user rents the electric bicycle 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is managed by the rental service business operator, and is temporarily rented out to the user who has a contract with the business operator. In principle, the electric bicycle 2 is parked in a bicycle parking lot prepared by the business operator when not in use.

In this embodiment, the communication unit 60 is attached to the electric bicycle 2. Specifically, the communication unit 60 also serves as a circle lock (locking device) 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 60 includes an activation unit 61, an acquisition unit 62, and a communication unit 63.

When the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned off, the starting unit 61 temporarily starts the motor unit 5 mounted on the electric bicycle 2 and driving the motor 51. The "when the power of the electric bicycle is off" in the present disclosure is a case where the motor unit 5 is stopped without supplying electric power to the control unit 52 (described later) of the motor unit 5. On the contrary, "when the power of the electric bicycle is on" is a case where electric power is supplied to the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 and the motor unit 5 can operate. That is, the starting unit 61 temporarily operates the motor unit 5 that can operate when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is on, even when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is off.

The acquisition unit 62 acquires unit information about the motor unit 5 by communicating with the motor unit 5 activated by the activation unit 61. The "unit information" referred to in the present disclosure may include information related to the motor unit 5 itself, as well as information that can be acquired from a device (part) other than the motor unit 5 via the motor unit 5. For example, the unit information may include information on the mileage of the electric bicycle 2 as well as information on the remaining amount of the battery 41 that functions as a power source for the motor unit 5.

The communication unit 63 transmits the unit information acquired by the acquisition unit 62 to the external device. The "external device" referred to in the present disclosure means a device that is not attached to the electric bicycle 2 and exists at a place away from the electric bicycle 2. In the present embodiment, the external device is the management unit 3, which is a server operated by the rental service provider. That is, the communication unit 63 uploads the unit information by transmitting the unit information acquired by the electric bicycle 2 to the management unit 3 located at a location away from the electric bicycle 2 via, for example, a network N1 such as the Internet. ..

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to upload the unit information from the electric bicycle 2 not only when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is on but also when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is off. .. Therefore, the present embodiment has an advantage that the electric bicycle 2 can be easily managed as compared with the embodiment in which the unit information can be uploaded only when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned on.

(2) Overall Configuration First, the electric bicycle 2 provided with the communication unit 60 of the present embodiment, the management system A1, and the drive system A2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 includes a communication unit 60 and a motor unit 5 capable of communicating with the communication unit 60. Further, in the present embodiment, the management system A1 includes a communication unit 60 that can be attached to the electric bicycle 2 and a management unit 3 that is provided separately from the electric bicycle 2 and can communicate with the communication unit 60. That is, although the management system A1 is mounted on the electric bicycle 2 in the present embodiment, it can be distributed to the market independently of the electric bicycle 2. Further, in the present embodiment, the drive system A2 includes a communication unit 60 that can be attached to the electric bicycle 2 and a motor unit 5 that can be attached to the electric bicycle 2 and can communicate with the communication unit 60. That is, although the drive system A2 is mounted on the electric bicycle 2 in the present embodiment, it can be distributed to the market independently of the electric bicycle 2.

In the present embodiment, the user can rent the electric bicycle 2 managed by the management unit 3 by accessing the management unit 3 using the terminal 1. The terminal 1 is a device carried by a user, for example, a smartphone or a tablet-type computer. The terminal 1 uses a wireless communication module to perform optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium, via a network N1 such as the Internet, and a communication unit of the management unit 3. Communicate with 32. For wireless communication, as an example, a communication standard of a mobile phone such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) may be used.

The electric bicycle 2 includes an operating device 21, a battery unit 4, a motor unit 5, and a circle lock (locking device) 6. The motor unit 5 will be described in detail in "(3) Electric bicycle" described later.

The circle lock 6 is attached to a rear wheel 89 (described later), and may be in a locked state, an unlocked state, or an unlockable state. The locked state is a state in which the running of the electric bicycle 2 is prohibited by restricting the rotation of the rear wheels 89 (wheels 81 of the electric bicycle 2). The unlocked state is a state in which the electric bicycle 2 is allowed to run without restricting the rotation of the rear wheels 89 (wheels 81). In the unlockable state, the electric bicycle 2 is prohibited from running by restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89 (wheel 81), but when the operation by the operating device 21 is accepted, the locked state is switched to the unlocked state. It is in a state of being able to. That is, in the locked state, the circle lock 6 cannot be switched to the unlocked state even if the user operates the operating device 21, but in the unlockable state, the circle lock 6 is operated by the user. When 21 is operated, it can be switched to the unlocked state. In the present embodiment, in the unused state of the electric bicycle 2, the circle lock 6 is in principle locked.

In the present embodiment, the circle lock 6 is provided with a communication unit 60. In other words, the communication unit 60 also serves as a circle lock (locking device) 6. Here, the communication unit 60 includes, for example, a computer system. A computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, at least a part of the functions of the communication unit 60 are realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. that can be read by the computer system. May be provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 60 includes an activation unit 61, an acquisition unit 62, a communication unit 63, and a storage unit 64. In the present embodiment, the circle lock 6 (that is, the communication unit 60) and the motor unit 5 are connected by, for example, a wire harness, and can communicate with each other via the wire harness. Further, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 60 is, in principle, always operated by receiving the power supply from the battery 41 as long as the remaining amount of the battery 41 is sufficient.

In the present embodiment, the activation unit 61 and the acquisition unit 62 execute the activation step ST1 (see FIG. 3) and the acquisition step ST2 (see FIG. 3) in the first cycle (for example, every 120 minutes), respectively. Further, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 63 executes the communication step ST3 (see FIG. 3) in a second cycle (for example, every 30 minutes) shorter than the first cycle.

As the activation step ST1, the activation unit 61 executes a process of temporarily activating the motor unit 5 mounted on the electric bicycle 2 and driving the motor 51 when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned off. Specifically, the start-up unit 61 transmits a start-up signal for temporarily starting the motor unit 5 to the motor unit 5 every first cycle. In the motor unit 5, power is supplied from the battery 41 to the control unit 52 when a switch provided in the power supply path between the battery 41 and the control unit 52 is turned on by a start signal. As a result, the control unit 52 (that is, the motor unit 5) is activated. As described above, in the present embodiment, the starting unit 61 temporarily starts the control unit 52 (that is, the motor unit 5) by using the battery 41 as the drive source of the motor 51 as a power source. If the starting unit 61 can know the operating state of the motor unit 5, for example, if the motor unit 5 is in operation, the starting unit 61 does not have to transmit the starting signal toward the motor unit 5.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 52 (that is, the motor unit 5) is configured to operate in either the first mode or the second mode. The first mode is a mode in which the motor 51 assists the user's stepping force, and is a so-called assist mode. The control unit 52 operates in the first mode when the operation device 21 receives an input at the time of activation. The second mode is a mode different from the first mode. That is, the second mode is a non-assistable mode in which the motor 51 is not driven and the stepping force of the user is not assisted. The control unit 52 operates in the second mode when the operation device 21 does not accept the input at the time of activation. Then, in the present embodiment, the activation unit 61 temporarily activates the control unit 52 (that is, the motor unit 5) so as to operate in the second mode (that is, the non-assistable mode).

Further, the start-up unit 61 executes a process of stopping the motor unit 5 after the acquisition unit 62 executes the acquisition step ST2. Specifically, the starting unit 61 transmits a stop signal for stopping the motor unit 5 toward the motor unit 5. In the motor unit 5, when the switch is turned off by the stop signal, the power supply from the battery 41 to the control unit 52 is cut off. As a result, the control unit 52 (that is, the motor unit 5) is stopped. The period during which the motor unit 5 is activated by the activation unit 61 is, for example, 30 seconds.

As the acquisition step ST2, the acquisition unit 62 executes a process of acquiring unit information related to the motor unit 5 by communicating with the motor unit 5 activated by the activation unit 61 (startup step ST1). Specifically, the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 reads out the unit information stored in the storage unit 53 (described later) every first cycle during the operation of the motor unit 5, and the read unit information. Is transmitted to the communication unit 60. As a result, the acquisition unit 62 periodically acquires unit information from the motor unit 5 (here, every first cycle). Further, the acquisition unit 62 stores the acquired unit information in the storage unit 64.

The unit information includes, for example, the current speed or speed history of the electric bicycle 2, the current running mode or running mode history of the electric bicycle 2, the mileage or mileage history from the start of use of the electric bicycle 2, and the like. May include. That is, the acquisition unit 62 acquires the travel information regarding the travel of the electric bicycle 2 as the unit information. The traveling information can be calculated, for example, by the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 based on the detection results of various sensors such as an acceleration sensor mounted on the electric bicycle 2. Further, as an example, the unit information includes the remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the battery 41 or the power consumption amount information indicating the battery power consumption amount consumed by the battery 41 when the electric bicycle 2 is running (when used). obtain. In addition, the unit information may include, for example, device state information indicating the state of the device (for example, the operating device 21 or the headlight) connected to the battery unit 4.

Further, in the present embodiment, the unit information may include abnormality information regarding an abnormality of the motor unit 5. That is, the acquisition unit 62 can also acquire the abnormality information regarding the abnormality of the motor unit 5 as the unit information. Specifically, the acquisition unit 62 has an abnormality in the motor unit 5 when the response signal cannot be received even if the request signal is transmitted to the motor unit 5, or when the acquired information is different from the normal information. It is judged that there is a high possibility that there is (it is out of order). That is, the acquisition unit 62 indirectly acquires the abnormality information from the motor unit 5 by communicating with the motor unit 5.

The communication unit 63 is a communication interface for communicating with the management unit 3 and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 63 communicates with the management unit 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet by means of a wireless communication module, for example, by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. Communicates with unit 32 (described later). For wireless communication, as an example, a communication standard of a mobile phone such as LTE may be used.

As the communication step ST3, the communication unit 63 executes a process of transmitting the unit information acquired by the acquisition unit 62 (acquisition step ST2) to the external device (here, the management unit 3). Specifically, the communication unit 63 reads the unit information stored in the storage unit 64 every second cycle, and transmits the read unit information to the management unit 3.

The storage unit 64 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The storage unit 64 mainly stores the unit information acquired by the acquisition unit 62.

The operating device 21 is attached to a handle 83 (described later) of the electric bicycle 2. The operation device 21 has a power switch that is pressed and operated by the user. When the power switch is pressed, the operating device 21 transmits a start signal to the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5. Further, the operating device 21 further has a switch for receiving an input for changing the degree of assisting the user's stepping force (stepping force) by the motor 51, and a display for displaying parameters such as the remaining amount of the battery 41. There is.

As shown in FIG. 1, the battery unit 4 includes a battery 41 and a battery control unit 42.

The battery 41 supplies electric power to the motor 51 and the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5, and the communication unit 60. Further, the battery 41 supplies electric power to, for example, the headlight and the operating device 21 in addition to the motor 51. The battery 41 is detachably attached to the seat tube 73 (described later). That is, the electric bicycle 2 has a battery 41 used as a power source for controlling the electric bicycle 2.

Each time the electric bicycle 2 is used, the battery control unit 42 obtains the amount of power consumed by the battery 41 (battery power consumption) when the electric bicycle 2 is running (during use). The power consumption information representing the battery power consumption is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5. Further, the battery control unit 42 manages the remaining amount of the battery 41. More specifically, the battery control unit 42 obtains the difference between the remaining amount of the battery 41 before use and the battery power consumption amount as the remaining amount of the new battery 41. The remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the battery 41 is output from the battery control unit 42 to the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5.

The remaining amount of the battery 41 is corrected in consideration of the deterioration of the battery 41. The deterioration of the battery 41 can be determined from the charge / discharge history representing the charge / discharge of the battery 41. The charge / discharge history is stored together with the ID (Identification) of the battery 41. The charge / discharge history may be stored in an external device such as a server if it has a communication function.

The management unit 3 is a server or the like located away from the electric bicycle 2 as described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the management unit 3 includes a management unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

The management unit 31 includes, for example, a computer system. A computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the management unit 31 is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. that can be read by the computer system. May be provided.

The management unit 31 has a function of executing an authentication process, a specific process, an acquisition process, a determination process, and an unlocking process.

In the authentication process, when the communication unit 32 acquires the authentication information transmitted from the terminal 1, whether or not the database stored in the storage unit 33 contains the authentication information, that is, the use based on the authentication information. This is a process for determining whether or not a person is registered.

The identification process is a process of identifying the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier by referring to the database stored in the storage unit 33 when the communication unit 32 acquires the identifier transmitted from the terminal 1. The identifier is written on, for example, a sticker 931 (see FIG. 2) attached to the electric bicycle 2. The user can acquire the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 by reading the identifier written on the sticker 931 using the image pickup device (reading device) built in the terminal 1.

The acquisition process is a process of acquiring the remaining amount information (information regarding the remaining amount of the battery 41) possessed by the electric bicycle 2 by communicating with the electric bicycle 2 specified in the specific process.

In the unlocking process, the electric bicycle 2 can be unlocked from the locked state by remotely controlling the circle lock 6 of the electric bicycle 2 by communicating with the electric bicycle 2 specified in the specific process. It is a process to shift to. Here, the unlocking process is a process of shifting the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlockable state, and is not a process of shifting the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the terminal 1 or the electric bicycle 2 (communication unit 60), and has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 32 uses a wireless communication module to perform optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium, via a network N1 such as the Internet, to a terminal 1 or a communication unit. Communicates with the communication unit 63 of 60. For wireless communication, as an example, a communication standard of a mobile phone such as LTE may be used.

The communication unit (in other words, the reception unit) 32 receives the unit information transmitted from the communication unit 60. When the communication unit 32 receives the unit information, the communication unit 32 stores the received unit information in the storage unit 33.

The storage unit 33 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, a volatile memory such as RAM, and the like. The storage unit 33 stores a database including authentication information of each of one or more users who have a contract with the rental service provider of the electric bicycle 2. Further, the storage unit 33 stores a database including the identifiers of one or more electric bicycles 2 managed by the rental service provider of the electric bicycle 2. Further, the storage unit 33 stores the unit information acquired from the communication unit 60 for each communication unit 60 (that is, the electric bicycle 2).

In the present embodiment, the management unit 31 has a function of managing the electric bicycle 2 based on the unit information received by the communication unit (reception unit) 32. Specifically, the management unit 31 monitors the state of the electric bicycle 2 for each electric bicycle 2 by referring to the unit information (or the unit information stored in the storage unit 33) received by the communication unit 32. Then, the electric bicycle 2 is managed. For example, the management unit 31 electrically determines whether or not the electric bicycle 2 can be used based on whether or not the motor unit 5 is operating or whether or not the remaining amount of the battery 41 is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Manage every 2 bicycles. Further, for example, whether or not the management unit 31 maintains the electric bicycle 2 or replaces the electric bicycle 2 with a new vehicle based on the presence or absence of abnormality information or the history of the mileage of the electric bicycle 2. Is managed for each electric bicycle 2.

In the present embodiment, when using the electric bicycle 2, the user transmits the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 to be used and the user's authentication information to the management unit 3. The management unit 3 determines whether or not the authentication information transmitted from the terminal 1 is registered in the database, and if registered, identifies the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier transmitted from the terminal 1. After that, the management unit 3 communicates with the specified electric bicycle 2 to acquire the remaining amount information of the battery 41. Then, if the remaining amount of the battery 41 is equal to or higher than the threshold value (for example, 20% in SOC (State Of Charge)), the management unit 3 locks the circle lock (locking device) 6 of the electric bicycle 2 from the locked state. Move to the unlockable state.

Then, the user can shift the electric bicycle 2 to the unlocked state by operating the operation device 21 of the electric bicycle 2 to be used. After that, the user can ride on the electric bicycle 2.

(3) Electric Bicycle Next, the electric bicycle 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 referred to in the following embodiments and the like is a schematic view, and the ratio of the size and the thickness of each component in the figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio.

Further, in the following, unless otherwise specified, the traveling surface 100 (see FIG. 2) will be described as being a horizontal plane. However, in reality, the traveling surface 100 does not have to be a horizontal surface, and may be inclined with respect to the horizontal surface or may be an uneven surface.

Further, in the following, the direction in which the electric bicycle 2 advances is defined as the "forward direction", the direction opposite to the front direction is defined as the "rear direction", and the front direction and the rear direction are collectively defined as the "front-back direction". Further, two directions orthogonal to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the horizontal plane and opposite to each other are defined as "vertical direction". Further, two directions orthogonal to the front-rear direction and opposite to each other along the horizontal plane are defined as "left-right directions". However, the definitions of these directions are not intended to limit the usage mode of the electric bicycle 2. In addition, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawing are shown only for the sake of explanation, and are not accompanied by an entity.

The electric bicycle 2 is a bicycle capable of traveling on the traveling surface 100 by electric power. In the present embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electrically assisted bicycle that assists the user's stepping force (stepping force) by the motor 51.

The electric bicycle 2 includes a motor unit 5 and a frame 7. Further, the electric bicycle 2 includes a plurality of wheels 81 (two in FIG. 2), a front fork 82, a handle 83, a saddle 84, and a pair (one in FIG. 2) of crank arms 85 and a pair (FIG. 2). A pedal 86 (one in 2), a power transmitter 87, and a battery 41 are provided. Further, the electric bicycle 2 includes a circle lock 6, a basket 91, a front fender 92, and a rear fender 93.

(3.1) Wheels The plurality of wheels 81 are members that support the frame 7 on the traveling surface 100. In the present embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 includes front wheels 88 and rear wheels 89 as a plurality of wheels 81. The front wheel 88 has a hub 881 in the center, and the rear wheel 89 has a hub 891 in the center. The plurality of wheels 81 are attached to the frame 7 and rotate by the pedaling force of the user and the power output from the motor 51.

The front wheel 88 is the front wheel of the two wheels 81 arranged in the front-rear direction. The front wheels 88 are supported by a pair of legs (one in FIG. 2) so that they can rotate about an axis along the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the front wheel 88 is a wheel that does not receive power transmission from the motor unit 5.

Above the front wheels 88, a front fender 92 curved along the circumferential direction of the front wheels 88 is provided. The front fender 92 functions as a mud shield that prevents water droplets or mud splashed by the front wheels 88 from scattering toward the user while the electric bicycle 2 is running.

The rear wheel 89 is the rear wheel of the two wheels 81 arranged in the front-rear direction. The rear wheel 89 is rotatably supported around an axis along the left-right direction by two chain stays 75. The rear wheel 89 includes a rear sprocket 892 that is concentric with the hub 891 and is integrally attached to the hub 891. The rear sprocket 892 is connected to the drive sprocket (described later) of the motor unit 5 via a power transmission body 87. As a result, the power output from the motor unit 5 is transmitted to the rear wheels 89.

Above the rear wheel 89, a rear fender 93 curved along the circumferential direction of the rear wheel 89 is provided. The rear fender 93 functions as a mud shield that prevents water droplets or mud splashed by the rear wheels 89 from scattering toward the user while the electric bicycle 2 is running. In the present embodiment, a sticker 931 on which a two-dimensional code as an identifier is written is attached to the rear fender 93. A circle lock 6 is attached to the rear wheel 89.

(3.2) Front fork The front fork 82 supports the front wheel 88. The front fork 82 includes a pair of legs 821, a crown 822, and a steering column 823. The crown 822 connects the upper ends of the pair of legs 821. The steering column 823 projects from the crown 822. The front wheels 88 are rotatably attached to the pair of legs 821 via a shaft passed through the hub 881. The rotation axis of the front wheel 88 is parallel to the traveling surface 100. The protruding direction (longitudinal direction) of the steering column 823 extends from the crown 822 so as to go backward as it goes upward, and is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100.

(3.3) Handle The handle 83 is attached to the upper end of the steering column 823 and is fixed to the front fork 82. The steering column 823 is passed through the head tube 71 of the frame 7 described later, and is rotatably attached to the frame 7. The axis of rotation of the steering column 823 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823. Therefore, the steering wheel 83 can rotate the front wheels 88 with the axis along the longitudinal direction of the steering column 823 as the rotation axis.

A basket 91 for accommodating the belongings of the user is attached above the connecting portion between the steering wheel 83 and the steering column 823. Further, an operating device 21 is attached to the handle 83.

(3.4) Frame The frame 7 is a frame to which a plurality of wheels 81, a front fork 82, a handle 83, a saddle 84, a battery 41, and a motor unit 5 are attached. The material of the frame 7 is, for example, an aluminum alloy containing aluminum as a main component. However, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to the aluminum alloy, and may be, for example, iron, chrome molybdenum steel, high-tensile steel, titanium, or magnesium. Further, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to metal, and may be, for example, carbon, wood, bamboo, or fiber reinforced synthetic resin (for example, CFRP; Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics).

In the present embodiment, the frame 7 has a head tube 71, a down tube 72, a seat tube 73, a pair of seat stays 74 (one in FIG. 2), and a pair (one in FIG. 2) as a plurality of pipes. ) With a chain stay 75. Further, the frame 7 includes a bracket 76. The term "pipe" as used in the present disclosure means an elongated and hollow member. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe of the present disclosure may be, for example, a circular shape (including a perfect circle, an oval and an ellipse), a rectangular shape (including a square), a hexagonal shape, or an octagonal shape. A motor 51 and a battery 41 are attached to the frame 7.

(3.4.1) Head Tube The head tube 71 is a pipe that supports the front fork 82. The central axis of the head tube 71 is tilted with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go backward as it goes upward. A steering column 823 is passed through the head tube 71 so that the central axis of the head tube 71 and the central axis of the steering column 823 are aligned with each other. As a result, the head tube 71 rotatably supports the steering column 823. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the steering column 823 is the same as the central axis of the head tube 71.

(3.4.2) Down tube The down tube 72 is a pipe that connects the head tube 71 and the seat tube 73. The longitudinal front end of the down tube 72 is connected to the head tube 71. The longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72 is connected to the seat tube 73. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go downward as it goes backward.

(3.4.3) Seat Tube The seat tube 73 is a pipe that holds the saddle 84. The lower end of the seat tube 73 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the bracket 76. The central axis of the seat tube 73 is tilted with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go backward from the lower end in the upward direction. The lower end of the seat tube 73 is connected to the rear end of the down tube 72 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the battery 41 is detachably attached to the seat tube 73.

(3.4.4) Chain stays The pair of chain stays 75 are pipes that support the shafts of the rear wheels 89. The longitudinal front end of the chainstay 75 is connected to the bracket 76. The longitudinal rear end of the chain stay 75 is connected to the rear end of the seat stay 74. The pair of chain stays 75 are separated from each other in the left-right direction, and the rear wheels 89 are rotatably attached to the rear ends of the pair of chain stays 75 via a shaft passed through the hub 891. The rotation axis of the rear wheel 89 is substantially parallel to the traveling surface 100, and is the same as the central axis of the shaft that supports the rear wheel 89.

(3.4.5) Seat stay The pair of seat stays 74 are pipes connecting the chain stay 75 and the seat tube 73. In this embodiment, the longitudinal rear end of the seat stay 74 is connected to the longitudinal rear end of the chain stay 75. The longitudinal front end of the seat stay 74 is connected to the middle portion of the seat tube 73. The "intermediate portion of the seat tube 73" as used herein means a portion of the seat tube 73 in the longitudinal direction excluding the lower end and the upper end.

(3.4.6) Bracket The bracket 76 is a portion to which the motor unit 5 is attached. The bracket 76 is connected to the longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72, the longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73, and the longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75. As a result, the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72, the lower end in the longitudinal direction of the seat tube 73, and the front end in the longitudinal direction of the chain stay 75 are fixed to each other.

(3.5) Saddle The saddle 84 has a seat pillar 841. The seat pillar 841 is passed through the seat tube 73 along the central axis of the seat tube 73. The seat pillar 841 projects downward from the portion of the saddle 84 where the user sits. In the present embodiment, the seat pillar 841 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go forward as it goes downward. The seat pillar 841 is movably attached to the seat tube 73 along the central axis of the seat tube 73.

(3.6) Pedal The pedal 86 is attached to the end of each crank arm 85 in the longitudinal direction, which is opposite to the crankshaft (described later) side. The pedal 86 is rotatably attached to the crank arm 85. The rotation axis of the pedal 86 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the crankshaft.

(3.7) Power transmission body The power transmission body 87 transmits the power output from the motor unit 5 to at least one of the plurality of wheels 81. In the present embodiment, the power transmission body 87 is a chain that can transmit power between the drive sprocket of the motor unit 5 and the rear sprocket 892 of the rear wheel 89. However, in the present disclosure, the power transmission body 87 may be, for example, a belt, a shaft, a wire, or a gear.

(3.8) Motor Unit As shown in FIG. 1, the motor unit 5 includes a motor 51, a control unit 52, a storage unit 53, a crankshaft, and a drive sprocket. The crankshaft and drive sprocket are not shown. The motor unit 5 is a device capable of outputting a drive auxiliary output. In the present embodiment, the motor unit 5 adds a driving auxiliary output to the pedaling force, which is a human-powered driving force, and transmits the driving auxiliary output to the rear wheels 89 via the power transmission body 87.

The control unit 52 includes, for example, a computer system. A computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the control unit 52 is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. that can be read by the computer system. May be provided.

The control unit 52 executes a process of controlling the motor 51. More specifically, the control unit 52 controls the motor 51 by outputting a drive control signal to the motor 51 so that the motor 51 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed. For example, the control unit 52 controls the motor 51 so as to assist the pedaling force of the user at a predetermined speed. Further, as described above, the control unit 52 executes a process of transmitting unit information to the communication unit 60 every first cycle during its operation.

The storage unit 53 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, a volatile memory such as RAM, and the like. The storage unit 53 stores unit information.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of crank arms 85 are attached to the crankshaft of the motor unit 5. The longitudinal direction of the crank arm 85 intersects (here, orthogonal) with respect to the rotation axis of the crankshaft. The pair of crank arms 85 are aligned in a straight line when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the crankshaft.

The drive sprocket is composed of, for example, a plurality of sprockets, and constitutes a transmission together with the rear sprocket 892. By changing the shifting position of this transmission, the electric bicycle 2 can be shifted.

The motor 51 is configured to give rotational power to the wheels 81 of the electric bicycle 2. The motor 51 is provided near the crankshaft of the electric bicycle 2, is driven by electric power from the battery 41, and transmits power to the crankshaft.

(4) Operation Hereinafter, the operation of the communication unit 60 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, it is assumed that the electric bicycle 2 is not used by the user, that is, the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned off and the motor unit 5 is stopped.

First, the start-up unit 61 of the communication unit 60 transmits a start-up signal toward the motor unit 5 every first cycle (start-up step ST1). In the motor unit 5, the control unit 52 is activated by the activation signal (that is, the motor unit 5 is activated). When the control unit 52 (motor unit 5) is activated, the control unit 52 (motor unit 5) transmits unit information to the communication unit 60. As a result, the acquisition unit 62 of the communication unit 60 acquires the unit information (acquisition step ST2). After the acquisition unit 62 acquires the unit information, the start unit 61 transmits a stop signal to the motor unit 5. In the motor unit 5, the control unit 52 is stopped by the stop signal (that is, the motor unit 5 is stopped).

Apart from the above-mentioned activation step ST1 and acquisition step ST2, the communication unit 63 of the communication unit 60 transmits the unit information acquired by the acquisition unit 62 to the management unit 3 every second cycle (communication step ST3). .. In the management unit 3, the communication unit 32 acquires the unit information by receiving the unit information transmitted from the communication unit 60.

(5) Advantages As described above, in the present embodiment, since the starting unit 61 can temporarily start the motor unit 5, not only when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is on, but also when the electric bicycle 2 is turned on. Even when the power of 2 is off, the unit information can be uploaded from the electric bicycle 2. Therefore, the present embodiment has an advantage that the electric bicycle 2 can be easily managed as compared with the mode in which the unit information is uploaded only when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned on.

For example, in the embodiment in which the unit information is uploaded only when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is on, the unit information cannot be uploaded during the period when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is off. Therefore, the management unit 3 intermittently uploads the unit information. Will get. Therefore, the management unit 3 can only intermittently grasp the state of the electric bicycle 2, and it is difficult to manage the electric bicycle 2. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the unit information is periodically uploaded regardless of whether the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned on / off, so that the management unit 3 can periodically acquire the unit information without interruption. is there. Therefore, in the management unit 3, it is easy to grasp the state of the electric bicycle 2 without interruption, and it is easy to manage the electric bicycle 2.

Further, for example, in the embodiment in which the starting unit 61 is not provided, when the battery 41 of the electric bicycle 2 is replaced, the unit information is transmitted from the motor unit 5 unless the operating device 21 is operated to turn on the power of the electric bicycle 2. Can't get. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even when the battery 41 of the electric bicycle 2 is replaced, the motor unit 5 is temporarily started periodically, so that the unit information is acquired from the motor unit 5 without operating the operating device 21. There is also the advantage that it is possible.

Further, in the present embodiment, the motor unit 5 is temporarily started only at a necessary timing according to the cycle of acquiring the unit information. Therefore, the present embodiment has an advantage that the power consumption of the battery 41 can be reduced as compared with the case where the motor unit 5 is constantly operated to acquire the unit information.

(6) Modified Example The above-described embodiment is only one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be changed in various ways depending on the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, the same function as the communication unit 60 may be realized by a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium on which the program is recorded, or the like, in addition to the communication method.

The communication method according to one aspect includes an activation step ST1, an acquisition step ST2, and a communication step ST3. The start-up step ST1 is a step of temporarily starting the motor unit 5 mounted on the electric bicycle 2 and driving the motor 51 when the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned off. The acquisition step ST2 is a step of acquiring unit information regarding the motor unit 5 by communicating with the motor unit 5 activated by the activation step ST1. The communication step ST3 is a step of transmitting the unit information acquired in the acquisition step ST2 to the external device (management unit 3). Further, in the program according to one aspect, one or more processors may execute the above-mentioned communication method.

Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be listed. The modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate.

The communication unit 60 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. A computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the communication unit 60 in the present disclosure is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. that can be read by the computer system. May be provided. A processor in a computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuit such as IC or LSI referred to here has a different name depending on the degree of integration, and includes an integrated circuit called a system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Further, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logical device capable of reconfiguring the junction relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit partition inside the LSI should also be adopted as a processor. Can be done. A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microprocessor having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microprocessor is also composed of one or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

Further, it is not an essential configuration for the communication unit 60 that a plurality of functions in the communication unit 60 are integrated in one housing. The components of the communication unit 60 may be distributed in a plurality of housings. Further, at least a part of the functions of the communication unit 60 may be realized by, for example, a server device and a cloud (cloud computing). On the contrary, as in the above-described embodiment, all the functions of the communication unit 60 may be integrated in one housing.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the management unit 3 may transmit a command requesting unit information to the communication unit 60 at an arbitrary timing. As an example, the management unit 3 transmits a command to the communication unit 60 periodically or at a timing when the manager of the rental service provider operates the management unit 3. In this case, the communication unit 60 acquires the unit information based on the command and transmits the acquired unit information to the management unit 3. That is, when the activation unit 61 of the communication unit 60 receives the command, the activation unit 61 transmits the activation signal to the motor unit 5.

In this aspect, the communication unit 60 acquires unit information from the motor unit 5 after receiving the command. Therefore, in this aspect, the management unit 3 has an advantage that the latest unit information acquired by the communication unit 60 can be acquired at an arbitrary timing.

In the above-described embodiment, the activation unit 61 of the communication unit 60 activates the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 by transmitting an activation signal to the motor unit 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the activation unit 61 of the communication unit 60 may indirectly activate the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 by transmitting an activation signal to the battery unit 4. Specifically, the activation unit 61 of the communication unit 60 transmits an activation signal to the battery unit 4 every first cycle. In the battery unit 4, the battery control unit 42 is activated by the activation signal. When the battery control unit 42 is started, the battery 41 starts supplying electric power to the motor unit 5. As a result, the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 is activated (that is, the motor unit 5 is activated).

When the control unit 52 (motor unit 5) is activated, the control unit 52 (motor unit 5) transmits unit information to the communication unit 60. As a result, the acquisition unit 62 of the communication unit 60 acquires the unit information. After the acquisition unit 62 acquires the unit information, the activation unit 61 transmits a stop signal to the battery unit 4. In the battery unit 4, the battery control unit 42 is stopped by the stop signal. As a result, the power supply from the battery 41 to the motor unit 5 is stopped, so that the control unit 52 of the motor unit 5 is stopped (that is, the motor unit 5 is stopped).

In the above-described embodiment, the communication unit 60 operates using the battery 41 mounted on the electric bicycle 2 as a power source, but the communication unit 60 is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 60 may operate using a battery different from the battery 41 as a power source. That is, the starting unit 61 may operate using a battery different from the battery 41 as the drive source of the motor 51 as a power source.

In the above-described embodiment, the communication unit 60 may also serve as the operating device 21 instead of the circle lock (locking device) 6. That is, the communication unit 60 may also serve as a device that is always activated regardless of whether the power of the electric bicycle 2 is turned on or off.

In the above-described embodiment, the communication unit 60 may be a device that can be attached to and detached from the electric bicycle 2. That is, the communication unit 60 may be a device that can be retrofitted to the electric bicycle 2 instead of a device that is fixed in advance to the electric bicycle 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the communication unit 63 of the communication unit 60 transmits unit information via the Internet, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 63 may transmit unit information to an external device in an area where a LAN is constructed via a LAN (Local Area Network).

In the above-described embodiment, the external device is not limited to the management unit 3, and may be, for example, an administrator terminal owned by an administrator of a rental service provider or the like. The administrator terminal is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet-type computer. In this aspect, the communication unit 63 of the communication unit 60 may transmit the unit information to the terminal via the management unit 3, or directly transmits the unit information to the administrator terminal without going through the management unit 3. You may.

In the above-described embodiment, the lock device 6 is not limited to the circle lock 6. That is, the locking device 6 may be any device that can lock the electric bicycle 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a biaxial motor unit, but it may be a uniaxial motor unit. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the motor unit 5 is a center unit type motor unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the motor unit 5 may be a front hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to the hub 881 of the front wheel 88. Further, for example, the motor unit 5 may be a rear hub unit type motor unit in which a motor is attached to a hub 891 of the rear wheel 89.

In the above-described embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electrically assisted bicycle that assists the pedaling force of the user by the motor 51, but is not limited to this. For example, in the electric bicycle 2, the drive system (human power drive system) that gives power to the wheels 81 by pedaling force and the drive system (motor drive system) that gives power to the wheels 81 by the motor 51 are independent bicycles (motor 51). It may be a bicycle that can run only with the power output from the bicycle). In short, the electric bicycle 2 may be an electrically assisted bicycle or a bicycle that can travel only with the power output from the motor 51.

In the above-described embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is a two-wheeled bicycle including one front wheel 88 and one rear wheel 89, but is not limited thereto. For example, the electric bicycle 2 may be a tricycle having one front wheel 88 and two rear wheels 89. Alternatively, the electric bicycle 2 may be a tricycle having two front wheels 88 and one rear wheel 89. Further, the electric bicycle 2 may be a four-wheeled bicycle including two front wheels 88 and two rear wheels 89.

(Summary)
As described above, the communication unit (60) according to the first aspect includes an activation unit (61), an acquisition unit (62), and a communication unit (63). When the power of the electric bicycle (2) is turned off, the starting unit (61) temporarily starts the motor unit (5) mounted on the electric bicycle (2) and drives the motor (51). The acquisition unit (62) acquires unit information regarding the motor unit (5) by communicating with the motor unit (5) activated by the activation unit (61). The communication unit (63) transmits the unit information acquired by the acquisition unit (62) to the external device (management unit (3)).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed.

The communication unit (60) according to the second aspect also serves as a lock device (6) in the first aspect. The locking device (6) can switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locked state is a state in which the running of the electric bicycle (2) is prohibited by restricting the rotation of the wheels (rear wheels (89)) of the electric bicycle (2). The unlocked state is a state in which the electric bicycle (2) is allowed to run without restricting the rotation of the wheels (rear wheels (89)).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy to effectively utilize the space in which the electric bicycle (2) can be attached, as compared with the case where the communication unit (60) is attached to a place other than the lock device (6).

In the communication unit (60) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the motor unit (5) is configured to operate in either the first mode or the second mode. There is. The first mode is a mode in which the motor (51) assists the user in stepping on the force. The second mode is a mode different from the first mode. The start-up unit (61) temporarily starts the motor unit (5) so as to operate in the second mode.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the power consumption of the motor unit (5) can be easily reduced as compared with the case where the motor unit (5) is temporarily started in the first mode.

In the communication unit (60) according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the starting unit (61), the acquiring unit (62), and the communication unit (63) are of the motor (51). It operates using the battery (41) as a drive source as a power source.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to separately prepare a battery for the communication unit (60).

In the communication unit (60) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the starting unit (61), the acquiring unit (62), and the communication unit (63) are of the motor (51). It operates using a battery different from the battery (41) as a drive source as a power source.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the charging power of the battery (41) can be easily utilized in a device other than the communication unit (60) as compared with the case where the battery (41) is used as a power source.

In the communication unit (60) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the acquisition unit (62) acquires the abnormality information regarding the abnormality of the motor unit (5) as the unit information.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed by referring to the presence or absence of abnormality in the motor unit (5).

In the communication unit (60) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the acquisition unit (62) acquires the traveling information regarding the traveling of the electric bicycle (2) as the unit information.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed by referring to the state of the electric bicycle (2) based on the traveling information.

The electric bicycle (2) according to the eighth aspect includes a communication unit (60) according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and a motor unit (5) capable of communicating with the communication unit (60).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed.

The management unit (3) according to the ninth aspect includes a receiving unit (communication unit (32)) and a management unit (31). The receiving unit (communication unit (32)) receives the unit information transmitted from the communication unit (60) according to any one of the first to seventh aspects. The management unit (31) manages the electric bicycle (2) based on the unit information received by the receiving unit (communication unit (32)).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed.

The management system (A1) according to the tenth aspect is provided separately from the communication unit (60) of any one of the first to seventh aspects that can be attached to the electric bicycle (2) and the electric bicycle (2). The communication unit (60) and the management unit (3) capable of communicating with each other are provided. The management unit (3) includes a receiving unit (communication unit (32)) and a management unit (31). The receiving unit (communication unit (32)) receives the unit information transmitted from the communication unit (60). The management unit (31) manages the electric bicycle (2) based on the unit information received by the receiving unit (communication unit (32)).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed.

In the tenth aspect of the management system (A1) according to the eleventh aspect, the management unit (3) transmits a command requesting unit information to the communication unit (60). The communication unit (60) acquires unit information based on a command, and transmits the acquired unit information to the management unit (3).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the management unit (3) can acquire the latest unit information at an arbitrary timing.

The drive system (A2) according to the twelfth aspect can be attached to the communication unit (60) of any one of the first to seventh aspects that can be attached to the electric bicycle (2) and the electric bicycle (2). A motor unit (5) capable of communicating with the communication unit (60) is provided.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed.

The communication method according to the thirteenth aspect includes an activation step (ST1), an acquisition step (ST2), and a communication step (ST3). The start-up step (ST1) is a step of temporarily starting the motor unit (5) mounted on the electric bicycle (2) and driving the motor (51) when the power of the electric bicycle (2) is turned off. .. The acquisition step (ST2) is a step of acquiring unit information regarding the motor unit (5) by communicating with the motor unit (5) activated by the activation step (ST1). The communication step (ST3) is a step of transmitting the unit information acquired in the acquisition step (ST2) to the external device (management unit (3)).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed.

The program according to the fourteenth aspect causes one or more processors to execute the communication method according to the thirteenth aspect.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the electric bicycle (2) can be easily managed.

The configurations according to the second to seventh aspects are not essential configurations for the communication unit (60) and can be omitted as appropriate.

2 Electric bicycle 3 Management unit (external device)
31 Management unit 32 Communication unit (reception unit)
41 Battery 5 Motor unit 51 Motor 6 Circle lock (locking device)
60 Communication unit 61 Starter 62 Acquisition part 63 Communication unit 89 Rear wheel (wheel)
A1 management system A2 drive system ST1 start step ST2 acquisition step ST3 communication step

Claims (14)

When the power of the electric bicycle is turned off, a starting unit that temporarily activates the motor unit mounted on the electric bicycle to drive the motor, and
An acquisition unit that acquires unit information about the motor unit by communicating with the motor unit activated by the activation unit, and an acquisition unit.
A communication unit that transmits the unit information acquired by the acquisition unit to an external device is provided.
communication unit. It is possible to switch between a locked state in which the electric bicycle is prohibited from running by restricting the rotation of the wheels of the electric bicycle and an unlocked state in which the electric bicycle is allowed to run without restricting the rotation of the wheels. Also serves as a locking device,
The communication unit according to claim 1. The motor unit is configured to operate in either a first mode in which the motor assists the user's stepping force and a second mode different from the first mode.
The starting unit temporarily starts the motor unit so as to operate in the second mode.
The communication unit according to claim 1 or 2. The starting unit, the acquiring unit, and the communication unit operate using a battery as a drive source of the motor as a power source.
The communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The starting unit, the acquiring unit, and the communication unit operate using a battery different from the battery as the drive source of the motor as a power source.
The communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The acquisition unit acquires abnormality information regarding an abnormality of the motor unit as the unit information.
The communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The acquisition unit acquires running information regarding the running of the electric bicycle as the unit information.
The communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the communication unit.
A motor unit capable of communicating with the communication unit.
Electric bicycle. A receiving unit that receives the unit information transmitted from the communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A management unit that manages the electric bicycle based on the unit information received by the reception unit is provided.
Management unit. The communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which can be attached to the electric bicycle, and
A management unit provided separately from the electric bicycle and capable of communicating with the communication unit is provided.
The management unit
A receiving unit that receives the unit information transmitted from the communication unit, and
A management unit that manages the electric bicycle based on the unit information received by the reception unit is provided.
Management system. The management unit transmits a command requesting the unit information to the communication unit, and the management unit sends a command to the communication unit.
The communication unit acquires the unit information based on the command and transmits the acquired unit information to the management unit.
The management system according to claim 10. The communication unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which can be attached to the electric bicycle, and
A motor unit that can be attached to the electric bicycle and can communicate with the communication unit.
Drive system. When the power of the electric bicycle is turned off, a start step for temporarily starting the motor unit mounted on the electric bicycle to drive the motor, and
An acquisition step of acquiring unit information about the motor unit by communicating with the motor unit activated by the activation step, and an acquisition step.
It has a communication step of transmitting the unit information acquired in the acquisition step to an external device.
Communication method. For one or more processors
The communication method according to claim 13 is executed.
program.

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