JP2022115700A - Control system, management system, control method, program and movable body - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce power consumption of a battery of a movable body.SOLUTION: A control system 1 comprises a communicating part 12 and a setting part 111. The communicating part 12 is supplied with power from a battery 41 to perform communication with an external device 3. The setting part 111 is supplied with power from the battery 41 to set a communication frequency at which the communicating part 12 communicates with the external device 3. The setting part 111, when a lock device (a circle lock 6) mounted on the movable body 2 is unlocked, sets the communication frequency to a first frequency. When the lock device is locked, the setting part 111 sets the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to a control system, a management system, a control method, a program, and a mobile body, and more particularly to a control system, a management system, a control method, a program, and a mobile body that control a battery of the mobile body.

Patent Literature 1 describes an electrically assisted bicycle (mobile body) having a wireless communication function. The battery-assisted bicycle described in Patent Document 1 includes an electric motor (motor), a battery, and a wireless communication section (communication section). The battery supplies drive power to the electric motor and supplies operating power to the wireless communication unit.

JP 2018-83529 A

In the power assisted bicycle as described in Patent Document 1, it is desired to reduce the power consumption of the battery.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control system, a management system, a control method, a program, and a mobile object capable of reducing battery power consumption of the mobile object.

A control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a setting unit. The communication unit receives power from a battery and communicates with an external device. The setting unit is supplied with power from the battery and sets the frequency of communication with the external device by the communication unit. The setting unit sets the communication frequency to a first frequency when the locking device attached to the mobile body is unlocked. The setting unit sets the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency when the lock device is locked.

A management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the control system and the external device.

A control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication step and a setting step. The communication step is a step in which power is supplied from a battery to communicate with an external device. The setting step is a step of setting the frequency of communication with the external device in the communication step with power supplied from the battery. In the setting step, the communication frequency is set to the first frequency when the locking device attached to the mobile body is unlocked. In the setting step, when the lock device is locked, the communication frequency is set to a frequency lower than the first frequency.

A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the control method.

A moving body according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the control system and a moving body main body. The control system is attached to the mobile body.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the battery of the mobile body.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of a control system, a management system, and an electric bicycle according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the electric bicycle same as the above. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the setting section of the control system. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the communication section of the control system;

(embodiment)
A control system 1, a management system 10, a control method, a program, and a moving object 2 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

(1) Overview First, overviews of the control system 1, the management system 10, and the moving object 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the mobile object 2 is a bicycle. More specifically, in this embodiment, the mobile object 2 is an electric bicycle. Therefore, hereinafter, the “mobile body 2” will be described as the “electric bicycle 2” unless otherwise specified.

A control system 1 and a management system 10 according to this embodiment are used, for example, when a user rents an electric bicycle 2 . That is, in the present embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is managed by a rental service business operator and is temporarily rented out to users who have concluded a contract with the business operator. When not in use, the electric bicycle 2 is, in principle, parked in a bicycle parking lot (bicycle parking port) prepared by the operator.

The management system 10 includes a control system 1 and an external device 3, as shown in FIG. The external device 3 is not attached to the electric bicycle 2 and is provided at a location away from the electric bicycle 2. - 特許庁The external device 3 is, for example, a server operated by a rental service provider.

In this embodiment, the control system 1 is attached to the electric bicycle 2 . More specifically, the control system 1 is provided in a circle lock (lock device) 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2 . The control system 1 includes a setting unit 111 and a communication unit 12, as shown in FIG.

The setting unit 111 is supplied with power from a battery 41 to be described later, and sets the frequency of communication with the external device 3 by the communication unit 12 . The setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to the first frequency when the circle lock 6 attached to the electric bicycle 2 is unlocked. Further, the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency (second frequency or third frequency described later) when the circle lock 6 is locked.

The communication unit 12 is supplied with power from the battery 41 and communicates with the external device 3 . The communication unit 12 bi-directionally communicates with the external device 3 located away from the electric bicycle 2, for example, via a network N1 such as the Internet.

In the control system 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, when the circle lock 6 is locked, the setting unit 111 sets the frequency of communication with the external device 3 by the communication unit 12 to be lower than the first frequency. set to frequency. As a result, the power consumption of the battery 41 can be reduced as compared with the case where the communication frequency is set to the first frequency while the circle lock 6 is locked.

(2) Details Next, details of the control system 1, the management system 10, and the electric bicycle 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

An electric bicycle 2 according to this embodiment includes a control system 1 and a motor unit 5 that can communicate with the control system 1 . A management system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a control system 1 attached to the electric bicycle 2 and an external device 3 provided separately from the electric bicycle 2 and capable of communicating with the control system 1. .

In this embodiment, the user can rent the electric bicycle 2 managed by the external device 3 by accessing the external device 3 using the terminal 8 . The terminal 8 is a device carried by the user, such as a smart phone or a tablet computer. The terminal 8 communicates with the external device 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet by means of a wireless communication module, for example, optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. Communicate with unit 32 . For wireless communication, for example, a mobile phone communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) may be used.

The electric bicycle 2 includes an operating device 23, a battery unit 4, a motor unit 5, and a circle lock (locking device) 6, as shown in FIG. The motor unit 5 will be described in detail later in "(3) Electric bicycle".

The circle lock 6 is attached to a frame 7 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, and can be in a locked state or an unlocked state. The locked state is a state in which the electric bicycle 2 is prohibited from traveling by restricting rotation of a rear wheel 89 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later. The unlocked state is a state in which the electric bicycle 2 is permitted to run without restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 89 . In this embodiment, the circle lock 6 is in principle locked when the electric bicycle 2 is not in use. In this embodiment, the control system 1 is provided in the circle lock 6 . The circle lock 6 is attached to the seat stay 74 of the frame 7, for example.

The control system 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the circle lock 6 (that is, the control system 1) and the motor unit 5 are connected by a wire harness, for example, and can communicate with each other via this wire harness. In addition, in the present embodiment, the control system 1 is supplied with power from the battery 41 and, in principle, always operates when the remaining amount of the battery 41 is sufficient.

The control unit 11 includes, for example, a computer system. A computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The function of the control unit 11 (including the setting unit 111 described later) is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer system-readable memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. may be provided.

The control unit 11 has a setting unit 111 as shown in FIG.

The setting unit 111 executes processing for setting the frequency of communication with the external device 3 by the communication unit 12 as setting steps S4 to S7 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. The setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to the first frequency when the circle lock 6 is unlocked. Further, the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency when the circle lock 6 is locked. More specifically, the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to a second frequency lower than the first frequency when the circle lock 6 is locked and the electric bicycle 2 is not located at the storage location. do. Further, the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to a third frequency lower than the second frequency when the circle lock 6 is locked and the electric bicycle 2 is located at the storage location. In this embodiment, the storage location is a bicycle parking lot (bicycle parking port) prepared by the rental service provider. Furthermore, if the electric bicycle 2 is not being used even when the circle lock 6 is unlocked, the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to a fourth frequency lower than the first frequency. The fourth frequency may be lower than the first frequency, may be higher than the second frequency, may be the same, or may be lower than the second frequency. Also, the fourth frequency may be higher than, the same as, or lower than the third frequency. The setting unit 111 determines that the electric bicycle 2 is not being used when the position information of the electric bicycle 2 acquired by the communication unit 12 through communication with the external device 3 has not changed for a predetermined period of time. The operation of the setting unit 111 will be described in detail in "(4.1) Operation of the setting unit" below.

The communication unit 12 is a communication interface for communicating with the external device 3 . The communication unit 12 has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 12 uses a wireless communication module to communicate with the external device 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet, for example, by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. It communicates with a communication unit 32 (described later). For wireless communication, for example, a mobile phone communication standard such as LTE may be used.

The communication unit 12 executes processing for transmitting the first data or the second data to the external device 3 as communication steps S12 and S13 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later. The first data is data to be transmitted to the external device 3 when the circle lock 6 is in the unlocked state. The second data is data to be transmitted to the external device 3 when the circle lock 6 is in the locked state. In addition, the communication unit 12 periodically receives (acquires) position information of the electric bicycle 2 in communication with the external device 3 . Further, the communication unit 12 transmits an inquiry signal generated by the control unit 11 to the external device 3 when an operation unit 230 of the operation device 23 (to be described later) is pressed. The inquiry signal is a signal for inquiring whether the circle lock 6 is unlocked.

The first data is, for example, the unique number of the circle lock 6, the current time measured by the control unit 11, the rental start time of the electric bicycle 2, the rental end time of the electric bicycle 2, the communication state of the motor unit 5 described later, and the battery Contains 41 balances. Further, the first data includes the unique number of the battery 41, the total traveled distance of the electric bicycle 2, the error information of the motor unit 5, the error information of the circle lock 6, and the state of the circle lock 6 (unlocked state, locked state, or use state). not allowed). The first data includes position information of the electric bicycle 2 by GPS (Global Positioning System), the number of the beacon installed in the bicycle parking lot, speed information of the electric bicycle 2 by GPS, and a speed sensor attached to the electric bicycle 2. including speed information and cadence information of the electric bicycle 2 by The first data includes current information of the motor 51 , impact detection results by various sensors, version information of the motor 51 , version information of the circle lock 6 and assist information of the electric bicycle 2 .

The second data includes the detailed information of the battery 41 and the remaining battery level of the beacon in addition to the first data described above. The detailed information of the battery 41 includes, for example, cell voltage, actual capacity, number of times of discharge, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, number of times of charge, error information, remaining capacity, battery temperature, and battery production date. That is, in this embodiment, the data amount of the second data is larger than the data amount of the first data. Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the circle lock 6 is unlocked, the communication unit 12 transmits the first data to the external device 3, and when the circle lock 6 is locked, the communication unit 12 is different from the second data transmitted to the external device 3 . The operation of the communication unit 12 will be described in detail in "(4.2) Operation of the communication unit" below.

The storage unit 13 includes, for example, electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 13 stores, for example, each of the above information included in at least one of the first data and the second data. The storage unit 13 also stores, for example, an identifier and identification information (eg, address) of the electric bicycle 2 .

The operating device 23 is attached to a handle 83 (see FIG. 2) which will be described later. The operating device 23 has an operating section 230 . The operation unit 230 is, for example, a power switch that is pushed by the user. The operation device 23 transmits a start signal to the control section 52 of the motor unit 5 when the operation section 230 is pushed. The operation device 23 further includes 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

The battery unit 4 includes a battery 41 and a battery control section 42, as shown in FIG.

The battery 41 supplies power to the motor 51 and controller 52 of the motor unit 5 and the control system 1 . In addition to the motor 51 , the battery 41 also supplies power to, for example, the headlight and the operating device 23 . The battery 41 is detachably attached to a seat tube 73 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later. That is, the electric bicycle 2 has a battery 41 that is used as a control power supply for 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) while the electric bicycle 2 is running (during use). Power consumption information representing battery power consumption is output from the battery control section 42 to the control section 52 of the motor unit 5 . Also, 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 as the new remaining amount of the battery 41 . Remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the battery 41 is output from the battery control section 42 to the control section 52 of the motor unit 5 .

Note that the remaining amount of the battery 41 is corrected in consideration of deterioration of the battery 41 . The deterioration of the battery 41 can be obtained from the charge/discharge history representing the charge/discharge of the battery 41 . The charge/discharge history is saved together with the ID (Identification) of the battery 41 . The charge/discharge history may be stored in the external device 3 via the communication unit 12 of the control system 1, for example.

The external device 3 is a server installed at a location away from the electric bicycle 2, as described above. The external device 3 includes a control section 31, a communication section 32, and a storage section 33, as shown in FIG.

The control unit 31 includes, for example, a computer system. A computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The function of the control unit 31 is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer system-readable memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. may be provided.

The control unit 31 has a function of executing authentication processing, identification processing, and unlocking processing.

In the authentication process, when the authentication information transmitted from the terminal 8 is acquired by the communication unit 32, whether or not the authentication information is included in the first database stored in the storage unit 33 is checked. This is the process of determining whether or not the user based on the information is registered.

The specifying process is a process of specifying the electric bicycle 2 corresponding to the identifier by referring to the second database stored in the storage unit 33 when the identifier transmitted from the terminal 8 is acquired by the communication unit 32 . be. The identifier is written, for example, on a sticker 931 (see FIG. 2) attached to the electric bicycle 2. As shown in FIG. The user can acquire the identifier of the electric bicycle 2 by reading the identifier written on the sticker 931 using an imaging device (reading device) built into the terminal 8 .

In the unlocking process, the electric bicycle 2 is unlocked from the locked state by remotely controlling the circle lock 6 of the electric bicycle 2 through communication between the electric bicycle 2 identified in the identification process and the external device 3. This is the process of shifting to the locked state. In the unlocking process, the control unit 31 generates an unlocking permission signal based on an inquiry signal from the electric bicycle 2 (control system 1), and causes the communication unit 32 to transmit the generated unlocking permission signal to the electric bicycle 2. .

The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the electric bicycle 2 (control system 1 ) or the terminal 8 . The communication unit 32 has a wireless communication module. The communication unit 32 uses a wireless communication module to communicate with the control system 1 via a network N1 such as the Internet, for example, by optical wireless communication using light such as infrared rays or visible light as a medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. It communicates with the communication unit 12 or the terminal 8 . For wireless communication, for example, a mobile phone communication standard such as LTE may be used.

The communication unit 32 receives first data or second data from the control system 1 . Also, the communication unit 32 receives an inquiry signal from the control system 1 . Furthermore, the communication unit 32 transmits an unlock permission signal generated by the control unit 31 based on the inquiry signal to the control system 1 . Also, the communication unit 32 receives the authentication information and the identifier from the terminal 8 .

The storage unit 33 includes, for example, electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM and volatile memory such as RAM. The storage unit 33 stores a first database including authentication information of each of one or more users who have a contract with the electric bicycle 2 rental service provider. The storage unit 33 also stores a second database containing 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 various kinds of information included in at least one of the first data and the second data described above.

(3) Electric Bicycle Next, the structure of the electric bicycle 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 referred to in the present embodiment and the like is a schematic diagram, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in the diagram does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions.

Moreover, in the following description, the running surface 100 is assumed to be a horizontal surface unless otherwise specified. However, actually, the running 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, hereinafter, the direction in which the electric bicycle 2 travels is defined as the "forward direction", the opposite direction to the forward direction is defined as the "rearward direction", and the forward direction and the rearward direction are collectively defined as the "front-rear direction". Also, two directions that are perpendicular to the front-rear direction and are opposite to each other along the horizontal plane are defined as "left-right directions". Further, a direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is defined as the "vertical direction". However, the definitions of these directions are not meant to limit the manner in which the electric bicycle 2 is used. In addition, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawings are only shown for explanation and are not substantial.

The electric bicycle 2 is a bicycle that can run on a running surface 100 by electric power. In this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is an electrically assisted bicycle that assists the stepping force (stepping force) of the user of the electric bicycle 2 with a motor 51 (see FIG. 1).

The electric bicycle 2 includes a motor unit 5 and a frame 7, as shown in FIG. The electric bicycle 2 includes a plurality of (two in FIG. 2) wheels 81, a front fork 82, a handle 83, a saddle 84, a pair of (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) crank arms 85, and a pair ( 2), a power transmission body 87, and a battery 41. Furthermore, the electric bicycle 2 includes a circle lock 6, a basket 91, a front fender 92, and a rear fender 93. In this embodiment, the frame 7 constitutes a mobile body (hereinafter also referred to as “mobile body 7”). That is, the moving body (electric bicycle) 2 includes the above-described control system 1 and a moving body main body 7 to which the control system 1 is attached.

(3.1) Wheels A plurality of wheels 81 are members that support the frame 7 on the running surface 100 . In this embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 includes a front wheel 88 and a rear wheel 89 as the plurality of wheels 81 . The front wheel 88 has a central hub 881 and the rear wheel 89 has a central hub 891 . A plurality of wheels 81 are attached to the frame 7 and are rotated by the pedaling force of the user of the electric bicycle 2 and the power output from the motor 51 (see FIG. 1).

The front wheel 88 is the front wheel of the two wheels 81 aligned in the front-rear direction. The front wheel 88 is supported by a pair of legs 821 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the front wheels 88 are wheels that do not receive power transmission from the motor unit 5 .

A front fender 92 curved along the circumferential direction of the front wheel 88 is provided above the front wheel 88 . The front fender 92 functions as a mudguard that prevents splashes of water, mud, or the like splashed up by the front wheel 88 from splashing toward the user of the electric bicycle 2 while the electric bicycle 2 is running.

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

A rear fender 93 curved along the circumferential direction of the rear wheel 89 is provided above the rear wheel 89 . The rear fender 93 functions as a mudguard that prevents splashes of water, mud, or the like splashed up by the rear wheel 89 from splashing toward the user of the electric bicycle 2 while the electric bicycle 2 is running. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a sticker 931 with a two-dimensional code as an identifier of the electric bicycle 2 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 is a member that supports the front wheel 88 . The front fork 82 includes a pair of legs 821 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2), a crown 822 and a steering column 823 . A crown 822 connects the upper ends of the pair of legs 821 . A steering column 823 protrudes from the crown 822 . A front wheel 88 is rotatably attached to the pair of legs 821 via a shaft passed through a hub 881 . The axis of rotation of the front wheels 88 is parallel to the running surface 100 . The projecting direction (longitudinal direction) of the steering column 823 extends rearward as it goes upward from the crown 822 and is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 .

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

A basket 91 is attached above the connecting portion between the handle 83 and the steering column 823 to accommodate belongings of the user of the electric bicycle 2 . Also, the operating device 23 is attached to the handle 83 .

(3.4) Frame The frame 7 is a framework to which a plurality of wheels 81, front forks 82, handle 83, saddle 84, battery 41 and motor unit 5 are attached. In this embodiment, the frame 7 constitutes the mobile body 7 as described above. 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 aluminum alloy, and may be, for example, iron, chromium molybdenum steel, high-tensile steel, titanium, or magnesium. Further, the material of the frame 7 is not limited to metal, and may be carbon, wood, bamboo, or fiber reinforced synthetic resin (eg, CFRP: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics).

In this embodiment, the frame 7 includes a plurality of pipes, such as a head tube 71, a down tube 72, a seat tube 73, a pair of seat stays 74 (only one is shown in FIG. 2), and a pair of seat stays (one is shown in FIG. 2). (only shown). Also, the frame 7 further includes a bracket 76 . As used in this disclosure, "pipe" means an elongated hollow member. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe may be, for example, circular (including perfect circles, ovals, and ellipses), rectangular (including squares), hexagonal, or octagonal. A motor 51 (see FIG. 1) 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 center axis of the head tube 71 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go rearward 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. This allows the head tube 71 to rotatably support 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 . A longitudinal front end of the down tube 72 is connected to the head tube 71 . A longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72 is connected to a bracket 76 . In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the down tube 72 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go downward as it goes rearward.

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

(3.4.4) Chainstays The pair of chainstays 75 are pipes that support the shaft of the rear wheel 89 . A longitudinal front end of each chain stay 75 is connected to a bracket 76 . A longitudinal rear end of each chain stay 75 is connected to a rear end of the seat stay 74 . The pair of chain stays 75 are separated in the left-right direction, and a rear wheel 89 is rotatably attached to the rear ends of the pair of chain stays 75 via a shaft passed through a hub 891 . The rotation axis of the rear wheel 89 is substantially parallel to the running surface 100 and coincides with the center axis of the shaft supporting the rear wheel 89 .

(3.4.5) Seat stays The pair of seat stays 74 are pipes that connect the pair of chain stays 75 and the seat tube 73 . In this embodiment, the longitudinal rear end of each seat stay 74 is connected to the longitudinal rear end of each chain stay 75 . A longitudinal front end of each seat stay 74 is connected to the seat tube 73 .

(3.4.6) Bracket The bracket 76 is the part to which the motor unit 5 is attached. A longitudinal rear end of the down tube 72 , a longitudinal lower end of the seat tube 73 , and a longitudinal front end of the chain stay 75 are connected to the bracket 76 . Thereby, 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 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 protrudes downward from the portion of the saddle 84 on which the user sits. In this embodiment, the seat pillar 841 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go forward as it goes downward. The seat pillar 841 is attached to the seat tube 73 so as to be movable along the central axis of the seat tube 73 .

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

(3.7) Power Transmission Body The power transmission body 87 transmits power output from the motor unit 5 to at least one of the plurality of wheels 81 . In Embodiment 1, the power transmission body 87 is a chain that is installed between the drive sprocket of the motor unit 5 and the rear sprocket 892 of the rear wheel 89 so as to be able to transmit power. Power transmission body 87 may be, for example, a belt, shaft, wire, or gear.

(3.8) Motor Unit As shown in FIG. 1, the motor unit 5 includes a motor 51, a control section 52, a storage section 53, a crankshaft, and a drive sprocket. Illustrations of the crankshaft and drive sprocket are omitted. The motor unit 5 is a device capable of outputting a drive auxiliary output. In this embodiment, the motor unit 5 adds a drive assist output to the pedaling force, which is a human power drive force, and transmits the power to the rear wheels 89 via the power transmission body 87 .

The control unit 52 includes, for example, a computer system. A computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The function of the control unit 52 is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer system-readable memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. may be provided.

The control unit 52 executes processing for controlling the motor 51 . More specifically, the controller 52 controls the motor 51 by outputting a drive control signal to the motor 51 so that the motor 51 rotates at a predetermined rotational speed. For example, the control unit 52 controls the motor 51 to assist the user's pedaling force at a predetermined speed.

The storage unit 53 includes, for example, electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM and volatile memory such as RAM. The storage unit 53 stores unit information. The unit information may include, for example, remaining amount information representing the remaining amount of the battery 41, or power consumption information representing the amount of battery power consumed by the battery 41 while the electric bicycle 2 is running (during use). In addition, the unit information may include, for example, device status information representing the status of devices connected to the battery unit 4 (for example, the operation device 23 or headlights). Also, the unit information may include abnormality information regarding abnormality of the motor unit 5 .

A pair of crank arms 85 are attached to the crank shaft of the motor unit 5, as shown in FIG. The longitudinal direction of the crank arm 85 crosses (here, perpendicular to) the rotation axis of the crankshaft. The pair of crank arms 85 are arranged in a straight line when viewed in the rotation axis direction of the crankshaft.

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

The motor 51 is configured to apply rotational power to the wheel 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 Next, operation of the control system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

(4.1) Operation of Setting Unit First, the operation of the setting unit 111 setting the frequency of communication with the external device 3 by the communication unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

The setting unit 111 of the control unit 11 of the control system 1 determines whether or not the circle lock 6 is in the locked state (step S1). When the circle lock 6 is locked (step S1; Yes), the setting unit 111 determines whether or not the electric bicycle 2 is in a storage location (for example, a bicycle parking lot) (step S2). If the electric bicycle 2 is in the storage location (step S2; Yes), the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to the third frequency (step S4). If the electric bicycle 2 is not in the storage location (step S2; No), the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to the second frequency (step S5).

When the circle lock 6 is unlocked (step S1; No), the setting unit 111 determines whether the electric bicycle 2 is in use (step S3). If the electric bicycle 2 is being used (step S3; Yes), the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to the first frequency (step S6). When the electric bicycle 2 is not in use (step S3; No), the setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to the fourth frequency (step S7). In this embodiment, the above-described steps S4 to S7 are setting steps.

In the control system 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, the frequency of communication with the external device 3 by the communication unit 12 is reduced when the circle lock 6 is locked. As a result, the power consumption of the battery 41 can be reduced as compared with the case where the communication frequency is not lowered. Further, in the control system 1 according to the present embodiment, even when the circle lock 6 is unlocked, when the electric bicycle 2 is not in use, the frequency of communication with the external device 3 by the communication unit 12 is reduced. lowering. As a result, the power consumption of the battery 41 can be reduced as compared with the case where the communication frequency is not lowered.

(4.2) Operation of Communication Unit Next, operation of the communication unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

The setting unit 111 of the control unit 11 of the control system 1 determines whether or not the circle lock 6 is in the locked state (step S11). When the setting unit 111 determines that the circle lock 6 is in the locked state (step S11; Yes), the communication unit 12 transmits the second data to the external device 3 (step S12). When the setting unit 111 determines that the circle lock 6 is in the unlocked state (step S1; No), the communication unit 12 transmits the first data to the external device 3 (step S13). In this embodiment, the above-described steps S12 and S13 are communication steps.

In the control system 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the amount of data to be transmitted to the external device 3 varies depending on the state of the circle lock 6. FIG. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of communication in the system as a whole, and as a result, it is possible to reduce communication costs.

(5) Effects The control system 1 according to this embodiment includes the communication unit 12 and the setting unit 111 as described above. The communication unit 12 is supplied with power from the battery 41 and communicates with the external device 3 . The setting unit 111 is supplied with power from the battery 41 and sets the frequency of communication with the external device 3 by the communication unit 12 . The setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to the first frequency when the circle lock (lock device) 6 attached to the electric bicycle (moving body) 2 is unlocked. The setting unit 111 sets the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency when the circle lock 6 is locked.

Moreover, the management system 10 according to this embodiment includes the above-described control system 1 and an external device 3 .

In the control system 1 and management system 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the communication frequency is set lower than the first frequency when the circle lock 6 is locked. As a result, the power consumption of the battery 41 can be reduced as compared with the case where the communication frequency is set to the first frequency while the circle lock 6 is locked.

Further, in the control system and management system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the electric bicycle 2 is not in use even when the circle lock 6 is unlocked, the communication frequency is set to be higher than the first frequency. It is set to a low fourth frequency. As a result, the power consumption of the battery 41 can be reduced compared to when the communication frequency is set to the first frequency when the electric bicycle 2 is not in use.

(6) Modifications The embodiment described above is just one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways according to design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Also, functions similar to those of the control system 1 may be embodied by a control method, a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium recording the program, or the like.

A control method according to one aspect includes communication steps S12 and S13 and setting steps S4 to S6. Communication steps S<b>12 and S<b>13 are steps in which power is supplied from the battery 41 and communication is performed with the external device 3 . The setting steps S4 to S6 are steps for setting the frequency of communication with the external device 3 in the communication steps S12 and S13 when power is supplied from the battery 41 . In setting step S6, when the circle lock (locking device) 6 attached to the electric bicycle (moving body) 2 is unlocked, the communication frequency is set to the first frequency. In setting steps S4 and S5, when the circle lock 6 is locked, the communication frequency is set to a frequency lower than the first frequency. A program according to one aspect is a program that causes one or more processors to execute the control method described above.

Modifications of the above-described embodiment are listed below. Modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate.

The control system 1 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. A computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The functions of the control system 1 in the present disclosure are realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer system-readable memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. may be provided. A processor in a computer system consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large scale integrated circuits (LSIs). The integrated circuit such as IC or LSI referred to here is called differently depending on the degree of integration, and includes integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit partitions inside the LSI, shall also be adopted as the processor. can be done. A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip, or may be distributed over a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices. A computer system, as used herein, includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Accordingly, the microcontroller also consists of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits or large scale integrated circuits.

Moreover, it is not an essential configuration of the control system 1 that a plurality of functions in the control system 1 are integrated into one housing. The components of the control system 1 may be distributed over a plurality of housings. Furthermore, at least part of the functions of the control system 1 may be implemented by, for example, a server device and cloud (cloud computing). Conversely, all functions of the control system 1 may be integrated into one housing as in the above-described embodiments.

In the above-described embodiment, the entire control system 1 is provided in the circle lock 6, but for example, at least some functions of the control system 1 (for example, the setting section 111) may be provided in the motor unit 5. good. Furthermore, at least some functions of the control system 1 may be provided in the battery unit 4 or may be provided in the operating device 23, for example. In short, at least part of the functions of the control system 1 may be provided in components other than the circle lock 6 .

In the above-described embodiment, the setting unit 111 determines that the electric bicycle 2 is not being used when the position information of the electric bicycle 2 acquired from the external device 3 has not changed for a predetermined period of time. Not exclusively. The setting unit 111 may determine that the electric bicycle 2 is not being used, for example, based on the above-described cadence information (crank rotation speed) or vehicle speed information of the electric bicycle 2 obtained by a speed sensor. That is, when the electric bicycle 2 is not in use, both the crank rotation speed and the vehicle speed of the electric bicycle 2 are zero. 2 is not used.

Although the communication unit 12 of the control system 1 transmits the first data or the second data to the external device 3 via the Internet in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 12 may transmit the first data or the second data via a LAN (Local Area Network) to an external device located within the area where the LAN is constructed.

In the above-described embodiments, the lock device 6 is not limited to the circle lock 6. In other words, the lock device 6 may be any device that can lock the electric bicycle 2 .

Although the motor unit 5 is a two-axis motor unit in the above-described embodiment, it may be a single-axis motor unit. Further, although the motor unit 5 is a center unit type motor unit in the first embodiment, it 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 the hub 891 of the rear wheel 89 .

In the above-described embodiment, the electric bicycle 2 is a power-assisted bicycle in which the motor 51 assists the pedaling force of the user, but it is not limited to this. For example, the electric bicycle 2 is a bicycle (motor 51 It may be a bicycle that can run only by the power output from. In short, the electric bicycle 2 may be an electrically assisted bicycle, or may be a bicycle that can run only with the power output from the motor 51 .

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

(mode)
The following aspects are disclosed in this specification.

A control system (1) according to a first aspect includes a communication section (12) and a setting section (111). A communication unit (12) receives power from a battery (41) and communicates with an external device (3). A setting unit (111) is supplied with power from a battery (41) and sets the frequency of communication with an external device (3) by a communication unit (12). A setting unit (111) sets the communication frequency to the first frequency when the locking device (6) attached to the mobile object (2) is unlocked. A setting unit (111) sets the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency when the lock device (6) is locked.

According to this aspect, since the communication frequency is lowered when the lock device (6) is locked, power consumption of the battery (41) of the mobile object (2) is reduced compared to when the communication frequency is not lowered. can be reduced.

In the control system (1) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the setting unit (111) is configured such that the lock device (6) is locked and the moving object (2) is stored at a storage location (for example, a bicycle parking lot). ), the communication frequency is set to a second frequency lower than the first frequency. A setting unit (111) sets the communication frequency to a third frequency lower than the second frequency when the lock device (6) is locked and the moving body (2) is located at the storage location. do.

According to this aspect, when the lock device (6) is locked and the mobile body (2) is located in the storage area, the communication frequency is further reduced, so the battery of the mobile body (2) is It is possible to further reduce the power consumption of (41).

In the control system (1) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the setting unit (111) is configured so that the movable body (2) is used while the lock device (6) is unlocked. If not, the communication frequency is set to a frequency lower than the first frequency.

According to this aspect, even if the lock device (6) is unlocked, the frequency of communication is lowered if the mobile body (2) is not in use, so compared to the case where the frequency of communication is not lowered. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the battery (41) of the mobile object (2).

In the control system (1) according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the communication unit (12) acquires the position information of the mobile object (2) in communication with the external device (3). A setting unit (111) determines that the moving body (2) is not in use when the position information has not changed for a predetermined time.

According to this aspect, even if the lock device (6) is unlocked, the frequency of communication is lowered if the mobile body (2) is not in use, so compared to the case where the frequency of communication is not lowered. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the battery (41) of the mobile object (2).

In the control system (1) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the lock device (6) is unlocked, the communication unit (12) controls the external device (3 ) is different from the second data that the communication unit (12) transmits to the external device (3) when the lock device (6) is locked.

According to this aspect, the amount of communication can be reduced compared to the case where the first data and the second data are the same, and as a result, the communication cost can be suppressed.

In the control system (1) according to the sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the data amount of the second data is larger than the data amount of the first data.

According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication compared to the case where the amount of data of the first data is the same as the amount of data of the second data, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the communication cost.

A management system (10) according to a seventh aspect comprises a control system (1) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and an external device (3).

According to this aspect, since the communication frequency is lowered when the lock device (6) is locked, power consumption of the battery (41) of the mobile object (2) is reduced compared to when the communication frequency is not lowered. can be reduced.

The control method according to the eighth aspect has communication steps (S12, S13) and setting steps (S4 to S6). The communication steps (S12, S13) are steps in which power is supplied from the battery (41) to communicate with the external device (3). The setting steps (S4 to S6) are steps for setting the frequency of communication with the external device (3) in the communication steps (S12, S13) when power is supplied from the battery (41). In the setting step (S6), the communication frequency is set to the first frequency when the locking device (6) attached to the mobile body (2) is unlocked. In setting steps (S4, S5), when the lock device (6) is locked, the communication frequency is set to a frequency lower than the first frequency.

According to this aspect, since the communication frequency is lowered when the lock device (6) is locked, power consumption of the battery (41) of the mobile object (2) is reduced compared to when the communication frequency is not lowered. can be reduced.

A program according to a ninth aspect is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the control method according to the eighth aspect.

According to this aspect, since the communication frequency is lowered when the lock device (6) is locked, power consumption of the battery (41) of the mobile object (2) is reduced compared to when the communication frequency is not lowered. can be reduced.

A moving object (2) according to a tenth aspect comprises a control system (1) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and a moving object main body (7). A mobile body (7) is fitted with a control system (1).

According to this aspect, since the communication frequency is lowered when the lock device (6) is locked, power consumption of the battery (41) of the mobile object (2) is reduced compared to when the communication frequency is not lowered. can be reduced.

The configurations according to the second to sixth aspects are not essential to the control system (1) and can be omitted as appropriate.

1 control system 2 moving body 3 external device 6 circle lock (lock device)
7 frame (mobile body)
10 management system 12 communication unit 41 battery 111 setting unit S4 to S6 setting steps S12, S13 communication step

Claims (10)

a communication unit that receives power from a battery and communicates with an external device;
a setting unit configured to set the frequency of communication with the external device by the communication unit with power supplied from the battery;
The setting unit
setting the communication frequency to a first frequency when the lock device attached to the mobile body is unlocked;
setting the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency when the lock device is locked;
control system. The setting unit
setting the communication frequency to a second frequency lower than the first frequency when the lock device is locked and the moving object is not located at the storage location;
setting the communication frequency to a third frequency lower than the second frequency when the lock device is locked and the moving object is located at the storage location;
A control system according to claim 1 . The setting unit sets the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency when the moving body is not in use while the lock device is unlocked.
3. Control system according to claim 1 or 2. The communication unit acquires position information of the mobile object in communication with the external device,
The setting unit determines that the moving object is not in use when the position information has not changed for a predetermined period of time.
4. A control system according to claim 3. First data that the communication unit transmits to the external device when the lock device is unlocked, and second data that the communication unit transmits to the external device when the lock device is locked. is different,
Control system according to any one of claims 1-4. the amount of data of the second data is greater than the amount of data of the first data;
A control system according to claim 5 . A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
and the external device;
management system. a communication step in which power is supplied from the battery to communicate with an external device;
a setting step of setting the frequency of communication with the external device in the communication step with power supplied from the battery;
In the setting step,
setting the communication frequency to a first frequency when the lock device attached to the mobile body is unlocked;
setting the communication frequency to a frequency lower than the first frequency when the lock device is locked;
control method. A program for causing one or more processors to execute the control method according to claim 8. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
a mobile body to which the control system is attached;
Mobile.

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