JP3108311B2 - Electric bicycle with motor stop function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has both a human-powered driving unit and a motor-driven electric driving unit, and drives the motor in accordance with the magnitude of the driving power by a human power, thereby reducing the driving power of the human-powered motor. The present invention relates to an electric bicycle assisted by a driving force.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as such an electric bicycle,
As shown in JP-A-5-246378,
A drive system driven by human power and a drive system driven by an electric motor are provided in parallel, and the drive power of the drive system driven by human power, that is, the pedal depression force (the force to depress the pedal) is detected, and the output of the electric motor is adjusted. It has been known.

That is, as shown in FIG. 17, a pedaling force detecting section 201 detects a pedaling force of a pedal, and a motor current detecting section 2 detects the pedaling force.
In step 02, the motor current is detected. In the vehicle speed detection unit 203, the vehicle speed is detected. The data is input to the controller 204 to adjust the voltage applied to the motor 205. That is, the pedaling force is detected, and the torque corresponding to the pedaling force is applied to the motor 2.
05 by the switching element etc.
05 (average voltage) is adjusted, and the speed reducer 20 is adjusted.
6, the wheels 207 are driven.

[0004]

However, in such an electric bicycle, if a signal is output from the treading force detecting unit 201 due to noise or the like without applying a force to the pedal, the motor 205 malfunctions. Resulting in. That is, even if the pedal is not depressed, the motor 205 starts or stops because the output from the pedaling force detection unit 201 is completely “0” or slightly larger than “0”. Stable conditions may persist.

In order to solve this problem, a threshold value is provided for the pedaling force, and the motor is not driven when the pedaling force is less than the threshold value. However, if, after starting the motor drive, the motor drive is always stopped when the pedaling force is equal to or less than the threshold value, when the vehicle is running with a small pedaling force less than the threshold value, there is no assistance by the motor. I will.

Further, once the motor driving is started after exceeding the threshold value, the motor driving is not stopped even if the pedaling force falls below the threshold value. The problem described at the outset of stopping and stopping occurs.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and if a state in which the variation of the pedaling force is small (small amplitude) continues for a certain period of time or longer, a state in which the bicycle is not stepped on is considered. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric bicycle with an electric motor stop function that stops motor driving.

[0008]

Furthermore, even when the pedal is put on the pedal while the bicycle is stopped and the brake is applied, and the pedaling force is detected, the motor driving is stopped by updating the threshold value of the pedaling force. It is intended to be. Then, the purpose is to lower the threshold once corrected upward.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the present invention provides an electric driving means 101 for driving wheels by an electric motor.
And human power driving means 103 for driving wheels by human power
And a human power detecting means 104 for detecting the driving power of the human power driving means 103; and an output from the human power detecting means 104, so that the driving power of the electric driving means 101 and the driving power of the human power driving means 103 have an appropriate ratio. Control means 105 for adjusting the driving force of electric drive means 101 and human power detection means 10
4, a variation width detecting means 106 for detecting the variation width of the driving force detected by the control unit 4, and comparing the detected variation width with a predetermined width, and maintaining a state where the variation width is smaller than the predetermined width for a predetermined time or more. This is an electric bicycle with an electric motor stop function that includes an operation stopping means 107 for stopping the operation of the electric driving means 101 when the operation is performed.

In the present invention, as the electric driving means 101, an electric motor and a transmission system such as a gear or a belt for transmitting the torque of the electric motor to the wheels can be used. The driving force of the electric driving means 101 means a torque generated in the electric motor.

The human power driving means 103 means a device for driving the wheels by human power, and includes a pedal, a chain,
Alternatively, various driving devices such as a pedal, a gear, and a rotating shaft can be applied. The driving force of the human-powered driving means 103 means the rotational force of the wheel generated by the pedaling force applied to the pedal. Therefore, the driving power of the human-powered driving means 103 is referred to as “pedaling power” in a normal bicycle. Can be.

As the human power detecting means 104, for example, in the case of a bicycle using a pedal, any means capable of detecting the pedaling force can be used, and various torque detecting devices such as a potentiometer and a spring can be used. .

Control means 105 and fluctuation width detecting means 106
It is convenient to use a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O port.

As the operation stopping means 103, a switching element for opening and closing a power supply circuit for stopping power supplied to the electric driving means 101, a switching element controller for controlling the switching element,
A combination with the microcomputer that gives instructions to the switching element controller can be used.

[0016]

[0017]

The present invention also provides an electric driving means for driving wheels by an electric motor, a human driving means for driving wheels by human power, a human power detecting means for detecting a driving force of the human driving means, and a human power detecting means. Receiving the output, control means for adjusting the driving force of the electric driving means, so that the driving force of the electric driving means and the driving force of the human driving means have an appropriate ratio, and storing a preset threshold value, Threshold value comparing means for comparing the driving force detected by the human power detecting means with the threshold value; and operation of the electric driving means when the driving force detected by the human power detecting means exceeds the threshold value Starting operation, a fluctuation width detecting means for detecting a fluctuation width of the driving force detected by the human power detecting means, and comparing the detected fluctuation width with a predetermined width, When the state smaller than the predetermined width has continued for a predetermined time or more, the threshold value stored in the threshold value comparing means is set to a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the driving force detected by the human power detecting means. This is an electric bicycle with an electric motor stop function including a threshold updating unit for updating.

In the present invention, the threshold comparing means and the threshold updating means include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM,
It is convenient to use a microcomputer comprising an I / O port.

As the operation start and stop means, a switching element for opening and closing a power supply circuit for stopping power supplied to the electric drive means, a switching element controller for controlling the switching element, and an instruction to the switching element controller Can be used.

In the above arrangement, the threshold value stored in the threshold value comparing means is compared with a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the driving force detected by the human power detecting means, and the threshold value is compared with the threshold value. When the value is smaller, it is preferable to further comprise a threshold value lowering correction means for lowering the threshold value to that value.

In the present invention, it is convenient to use a microcomputer comprising a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O port as the means for correcting the threshold value below.

[0023]

According to this invention, the fluctuation width of the driving force detected by the human power detection means 104 is detected by the fluctuation width detecting means 106, and the detected fluctuation width is determined by the operation stopping means 107 to the predetermined width. When the state where the fluctuation width is smaller than the predetermined width has continued for a predetermined time or more, the operation of the electric driving means 101 is stopped.

Therefore, for example, when a threshold value is provided for the pedaling force, once the motor drive is started after exceeding the threshold value, the motor drive is not stopped even if the pedaling force falls below the threshold value. The motor drive is stopped when the state where the fluctuation width of the treading force is smaller than the predetermined width continues for a predetermined time or more. Can be continued, and when the pedaling force is no longer applied, the operation of the motor moving or stopping can be prevented.
Further, even when the pedal is depressed with a force equal to or greater than the threshold value while the bicycle is stopped, the motor drive can be stopped.

[0025]

Further, according to the present invention, the threshold value comparing means compares the driving force detected by the human power detecting means with the threshold value, and the driving force detected by the human power detecting means is compared with the threshold value. At this time, the operation of the electric drive unit is started by the operation start unit.

In this state, once the threshold value is exceeded and the operation of the electric driving means is started, the fluctuation width detecting means always detects the fluctuation width of the driving force detected by the human power detecting means. When the state where the fluctuation width is smaller than the predetermined width has continued for a predetermined time or more, the threshold value stored in the threshold comparing means is detected by the threshold updating means by the human power detecting means. The driving force is updated to a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the driving force.

Specifically, for example, the bicycle is stopped,
When the foot is put on the pedal with the brake applied, the pedaling force is detected, and if the pedaling force is equal to or greater than the threshold, the bicycle is stopped by the electric driving means even though the bicycle is stopped. Driven.

However, in this state, the pedal is not rowed, but merely the foot is put on the pedal. Therefore, the pedaling force does not change, and the state in which the variation of the pedaling force is smaller than the predetermined width continues for the predetermined time or more, and the operation of the electric driving means is stopped. However, since the pedaling force in the state where the operation is stopped exceeds the threshold value, the driving of the electric driving means is started again. In other words, since such a state is repeated, as a result, the electric drive means continues to be driven while the foot is put on the pedal,
It wastes power.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the state where the fluctuation width of the pedaling force is smaller than the predetermined width continues for a predetermined time or more,
When the operation of the electric driving means is stopped, the threshold value stored in the threshold value comparing means is a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the driving force detected by the human power detecting means, for example, the motor driving is stopped. A value obtained by adding a constant value to the pedaling force at the time is set as a new threshold value, and the threshold value is updated when the electric drive means stops, so that the electric drive means does not continue to operate again I have.

When the threshold lowering means is further provided, the threshold value stored in the threshold value comparing means is added to the driving force detected by the human power detecting means by a predetermined value. If the value is smaller than the threshold value as compared with the value, the threshold value can be corrected downward to that value.

Thus, thresholds that remain updated to a high value can be modified to a low value.

Specifically, for example, the bicycle is stopped,
If the threshold is updated while the foot is on the pedal with the brake applied, the threshold remains high even if the pedal is depressed the next time under normal conditions. , The electric drive cannot be started.

In order to prevent this, according to the present invention, when a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the current pedaling force is smaller than the current threshold value, this is set as a new threshold value and the threshold value is corrected downward. To do.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire embodiment of the electric bicycle according to the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric bicycle main body, and the electric bicycle main body 1 is provided with an electric motor 8 to be described later. The driving force of the electric motor 8 is changed in accordance with the magnitude of the torque by human power, and the power by human power is changed by the electric motor. The vehicle is driven with the assistance of the force of No. 8.

Reference numerals 2 and 3 denote a front wheel and a rear wheel provided on a main frame 4. The front wheel 2 is rotatably supported on a shaft. A disk-shaped casing 5 is provided on the rotation shaft of the rear wheel 3. I have. The disk-shaped casing 5 includes a rotating casing 6 and a fixed casing 7, and the rotating casing 6 rotates integrally with the rear wheel 3.
The electric motor 8 is built in the board-like casing 5,
It is driven when electric driving is required, and is manually driven
0 and the rotation side casing 6 is rotated. The drive part composed of the disc-shaped casing 5 is called an electric drive unit 9.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a human-powered driving unit that rotates the rear wheel 3 via a chain 12 by depressing a pedal 11. In this example, the chain 12 is used as the transmission member.
Instead of 2, a belt, a rotating shaft, or the like may be used.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a steering wheel for steering the front wheels 2.
Reference numerals 14 and 15 denote left and right brake levers. The wires 16 and 17 are pulled by pulling the brake levers 14 and 15, and the front and rear brake devices 18 and 19 are operated by the wires 16 and 17, respectively. . A brake switch 20 is provided in the middle of the wires 16 and 17, and brake levers 14 and 15 are provided.
Is operated, the power supply to the electric motor 8 is stopped.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a saddle. Reference numeral 22 denotes a battery unit serving as a power source of the electric motor 8. The battery unit 22 is constituted by a battery case 23 slidably attached to and detachable from the frame 4, and a single rechargeable battery housed in the battery case 23. . This power supply voltage is about 2
4 volts.

Next, the plate-like casing 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration inside the disk-shaped casing 5. In this figure, reference numeral 7 denotes a fixed side casing fixed to the electric bicycle main body 1. The fixed side casing 7 has a control board 24, a control unit 26 including a heat radiating plate 25, etc., an electric motor 8, a first pulley 27, a second Pulley 2
8, a speed reduction mechanism 30 including three pulleys of a final stage pulley 29, and a transmission belt 31 connecting the speed reduction mechanisms 30 are arranged.

The final stage pulley 29 of the speed reduction mechanism 30 is fixed to the rotating casing 6. When the motor 8 rotates, the first to final stage pulleys are rotated by the transmission belt 31, and the speed is reduced to reduce the final stage pulley 29. At the same time, the rotating casing 6 rotates. In addition, a one-way clutch is interposed in the smaller pulley of the second pulley 28 connecting the second pulley 28 and the last-stage pulley 29, and the electric motor 8 is turned when a force from the pedal 11 is applied. So that the pedal 11 is light.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a pressing member for adjusting the tension of the transmission belt 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes an adjusting screw for adjusting the tension of the transmission belt 31. An elongated hole is formed at a portion where the rotation shaft of the first pulley 27 is attached, and the first pulley 27 is moved in a direction in which the transmission belt 31 is tensioned. The pulley is fixed by the adjusting screw 33 in a state where the pulley is moved.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a chain sprocket for transmitting the driving force from the chain 12 to the rotating casing 6. A freewheel 38 is provided between the chain sprocket 37 and the rotating casing 6. When the is rotated in the reverse direction, the driving force from the chain 12 is not transmitted to the rotating casing 6. Reference numeral 39 denotes an axle of the rear wheel 3.

The structure of the final stage pulley 29 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In these figures, reference numeral 40 denotes an elastic body, that is, a spring, provided at two places symmetrically with respect to the axle 39 inside the final stage pulley 29.
Reference numeral 0 indicates that one side is fixed to the last-stage pulley 29 and the other side is openable and contractible. The spring 40 extends and contracts in the direction of the axle 3.
9 or in a direction substantially tangential to a concentric circle with the last-stage pulley 29, so that when a pedaling force is applied to the pedal 11, the pressing member 42, which will be described later, easily receives the force.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a pressure receiving member which comes into contact with the open side of the spring 40. The pressure receiving member 41 has a portion smaller than the diameter of the spring 40 and a larger portion. It is provided so as to cover. The pressure receiving member 41 is made of a slippery material such as iron or ceramic.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a rotating plate which is rotated by the rotation of the chain sprocket 37 and is provided around an axle 39.
The pivot plate 42 has a central axis of the axle 39 point-symmetrical.
A pressing member 43 for pressing the pressure receiving member 41 by the rotation of the chain sprocket 37 is provided. The pressing member 43 is formed of a slippery material such as iron or ceramic.

The rotating plate 42 is inserted concentrically inside the final stage pulley 29, and the pressing member 43 is
To rotate together with the last stage pulley 29. In addition, when the pressing member 43 presses the pressure receiving member 41, the pressing position is slightly shifted, so that the distal end portion has a curved surface.

Further, the turning plate 42 is formed with two inclined portions 44 formed in the turning direction so that the center axis of the axle 39 is symmetrical with respect to the point. Rotate.

Reference numeral 45 denotes an inclined portion 44 by the rotation of the rotation plate 42.
The sliding member is movable in the direction of the axle 39 by the action of the above. A projection 46 is provided on a portion of the sliding member 45 which comes into contact with the inclined portion 44, and an elastic member, that is, a spring is provided at a position opposite to the projection 46. 47 is provided so as to urge in the direction of the rotating plate 42. That is, the sliding member 45 is slid only when the rotating member 42 is pressed by the rotation of the rotating plate 42. When the rotating member 42 returns to the original position, the sliding member 45 also returns to the original position. Has become. Further, the sliding member 45 is provided with a magnetic member, in this embodiment, a ferrite 48, and moves with the movement of the sliding member 45.

Reference numeral 49 denotes a coil provided inside the fixed side casing 7 within the moving range of the ferrite 48. The ferrite 48 moves in a coil bobbin 50 around which the winding of the coil 49 is wound. I have.

A boss 42a is provided on the rotating plate 42 of the rotating casing 6, and a magnet 42b for detecting the rotation speed of the rotating casing 6 is provided on the boss 42a.
Is provided. A substrate 7a and a reed switch 7b are provided on the fixed side casing 7 at a portion facing the magnet 42b. The reed switch 7b is turned on (or turned off) by magnetic force each time the magnet 42b approaches, and the time required for the reed switch 7b to turn on (or turn off) once and then turn on (turn off) next. The vehicle speed of the electric bicycle is detected by counting at the counter.

The above-described rotating plate 42 and sliding member 45 are collectively referred to as a converting member 51. The ferrite 48 provided on the sliding member 45 and the coil 49 attached to the fixed casing 7 are collectively referred to as a torque detector 52. The above-mentioned magnet 42b and reed switch 7b are collectively called a vehicle speed sensor.

Next, a description will be given of the manual driving and the detection of the torque by the torque detector 52.

When the electric bicycle body 1 starts running, the user runs by applying a pedaling force to the pedal 11. At this time, since the rear wheel 3 has a large force for stopping, the chain sprocket 37 and the rotating plate 42 try to rotate, and the spring 4
0, the spring 40 presses the final stage pulley 29, and the rotary casing 6 and the rear wheel 3 fixed to the final stage pulley 29 rotate and travel. At this time, since a large torque is generated during traveling, the spring 40 contracts greatly, that is, the turning plate 42 turns with the contraction of the spring 40,
The inclined portion 44 also rotates.

When the inclined portion 44 rotates, the projection 46 abutting on the inclined portion 44 is pushed toward the axle 39, and the sliding member 45 also moves toward the axle 39. When the sliding member 45 moves in the direction of the axle 39, the ferrite 48 moves in the coil 49, whereby the inductance of the coil 49 changes.

That is, as the pedaling force increases, the volume of the ferrite 48 inserted into the coil 49 increases, and the inductance increases. That is, the voltage applied to the coil 49 changes with a change in inductance. The larger the inductance is, the smaller the voltage is. The smaller the inductance is, the larger the voltage is. Can be detected, and the drive of the electric motor 8 is controlled according to the magnitude.

A description will be given of a state in which the user does not apply a pedaling force during traveling on level ground. The rotating plate 42 rotates together with the final stage pulley 29. In this state, there is no pedaling force, so that the spring 40 does not contract and slides. The member 45 does not move either. That is, since there is no change in the inductance of the coil 49, the voltage applied to the coil 49 does not change, and the drive from the electric motor 8 is not performed.

Further, a case in which the user accelerates on a flat ground or an uphill will be described. As in the case of starting the above-mentioned traveling, when the pedaling force is applied, the spring 40 contracts, and thus the rotating plate 42 generates the manual torque. The protrusion 46 is rotated according to the size, and the protrusion 46 in contact with the inclined portion 44 is pressed by the rotation of the inclined portion 44, so that the sliding member 45 moves and the ferrite 48 is moved.
Moves in the coil 49.

Numeral 47 denotes a rubber plate for preventing the pressing member 43 pressed by the spring 40 from being impacted. A cover 48 covers the spring 40.

Next, the circuit of the torque detector 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. In these figures,
Reference numeral 49 denotes a coil to which an AC voltage output from a CPU (not shown) is applied. The AC voltage has a waveform as shown in FIG. Also, the coil 49 increases or decreases the inductance of the coil 49 by moving the ferrite 48 closer or farther away, and outputs a waveform as shown in FIG. 8B. The output pulse is DC-converted by the DC converter 60 taking the average value of the pulse. That is, FIG.
The waveform is converted into a waveform shown in FIG. 2, amplified by the next amplifier 61, A / D converted by an A / D converter (not shown), and input to the CPU.

8B shows the waveform when the ferrite 48 approaches the coil 49. This is the DC converter 60, which is a part of the waveform shown in FIG. As shown by the broken line in (C), the level is lowered and is input to the CPU.

As described above, the pedaling force is converted into the movement of the ferrite 48 in the direction of the axle 39, and the change in the inductance of the coil, which is changed by this, is converted into a change in the voltage to extract an electric signal. Torque can be detected, and human power can be assisted by accurate control.

Although the position of the ferrite is moved in the coil, the inductance of the coil changes even if the ferrite is approached. Therefore, the ferrite is moved only by moving the sliding member 45, that is, the ferrite is placed near the coil. It may be configured to be provided.

Further, the spring 40 is not used, and the elastic member 47 is not used.
With only the elastic force, the sliding member 45 presses the elastic member 47 when the pedaling force is applied, and the elastic member 47 when the pedaling force disappears.
The torque may be detected by returning the sliding member 45 to the original position with the elastic force of the above.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the electric motor. In this figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a pedaling force detecting unit including a torque detecting unit 52, 79 denotes a vehicle speed detecting unit including a vehicle speed sensor, 72 denotes a CPU, 73 denotes a switching element for switching a circuit, and 74 denotes a power supply by controlling the switching element 73. A switching element controller 75 for performing duty control (PWM control) of the DC power supply; This DC power supply 75 is a 24 V Ni-cd battery,
2.5 Ah is used.

Reference numeral 76 denotes a flywheel diode, 77 denotes a power supply voltage detector, and 78 denotes a motor current sensor for detecting a current flowing through the motor 8.

As the motor current sensor 78, two resistors (shunt resistors) having a resistance value of 4.5 mΩ and an allowable capacity of 14 A are connected in parallel, and the voltage drop is detected by a differential amplifier. A / D conversion of the detected value is performed and the CPU 7
2 is input. CPU 72 calculates the torque of electric motor 8 based on the current value from motor current sensor 78.

Next, the operation of the CPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the pedaling force detection unit 71
A / D (analog / digital) by detecting pedaling force
Is converted (step S1), the pedaling force is converted into a manual torque (step S2), the current of the electric motor 8, that is, the motor current is detected and A / D converted (step S3), and the motor current is converted into the motor torque (step S3). Step S4).

Next, the vehicle speed is obtained from the vehicle speed detector 79, and it is determined whether the vehicle speed is less than 15 km / h (step S5) or whether the vehicle speed exceeds 24 km / h (step S5).
6) If the speed is less than 15 km / h, the old manpower torque is used as the new manpower torque (step S7), and the speed is 15 km / h to 2 h / h.
If it is in the range of 4 km, the old manpower torque will be (24-vehicle speed)
The multiplied by / 9 (Km / S) is defined as the new human torque (step S8). If the speed is 24 km / h or more, the new human torque is set to “0”.

Then, the old duty + (new manpower torque−
Motor torque) / constant is calculated, that is, integral calculation is performed, this is set as a new duty (step S10), and the duty is output (step S11).

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a circuit for starting or ending the driving of the electric motor.
1 is a motor current detection unit including a motor current sensor 78;
Reference numeral 82 denotes a controller including the CPU 72. The drive start detection unit 83, the threshold value update unit 84, and the drive end detection unit 85 also include the CPU 72.

Reference numeral 86 denotes a gate composed of a switching element. In this embodiment, the gate also serves as a switching element 73 for controlling the duty of the power supply. However, apart from this switching element 73, a switching element for merely turning on / off the power supply is provided as a switching element. 73 may be provided in series.

Reference numeral 87 denotes a motor composed of the electric motor 8, 88 denotes a reduction gear composed of the reduction mechanism 30 provided in the disk-shaped casing 5, and 89 denotes a wheel composed of the rear wheel 3.

The operation of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing for starting the driving of the motor 87. This process is performed by the drive start detection unit 83.

In this processing, it is determined whether or not the value of the pedaling force (sensor value) obtained from the pedaling force detecting section 71 is equal to or greater than a threshold value stored in a memory in advance. That is, during a predetermined time (30 ms), the minimum tread force of the sensor value is observed and compared with the threshold value (step S2).
1). The reason why the minimum sensor value is observed for 30 ms is to prevent malfunction due to noise. And the motor 87
Is output (step S22).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing for ending the driving of the motor 87. This process
This is performed by the drive end detection unit 85. In this process, the variation width of the value (sensor value) of the pedaling force obtained from the pedaling force detection unit 71 is detected, and the detected variation width is compared with a predetermined width stored in a memory in advance. That is, a predetermined time (4 seconds)
During the period, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the sensor value is determined and compared with the predetermined value (step S31).

The reason why the predetermined time is 4 seconds is that the pedaling cycle is about 4 seconds in a normal case.
As the predetermined width, a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the pedaling force generated when the pedal is depressed with the weakest pedaling force may be stored.

In the comparison in step S31, when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the sensor value for four seconds is smaller than a predetermined value, a driving end signal of the motor 87 is output (step S32). When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the sensor value in four seconds is equal to or more than a predetermined value, it is assumed that the bicycle is rowed, and the maximum of the sensor value for a predetermined time (four seconds) is output. (Step S33).
This data is input to the threshold update unit 84.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing for updating the threshold value. This process is performed by the threshold value updating unit 84. In this process, first, an average value of the value (sensor value) of the treading force obtained from the treading force detection unit 71 during a predetermined time (30 msec) is obtained, and a value obtained by adding a predetermined value (5 kg) to this is set as a threshold value. It is stored in the memory (step S41). The reason why the predetermined value is 5 kg is
Usually, by detecting such an increase in the pedaling force, it can be distinguished from an increase in the pedaling force due to noise.

Next, it is checked whether or not a value obtained by adding a predetermined value (5 kg) to the maximum of the sensor value for a predetermined time (30 seconds) is smaller than a threshold value (step S42). The reason why the two predetermined times are set to 30 ms is to prevent malfunction due to noise.

Here, the maximum value of the sensor value for 30 seconds is 5K.
If g is less than the threshold, then 3
A value obtained by adding 5 Kg to the maximum value of the sensor for 0 seconds is stored in the memory as a new threshold value (step S43),
Thereby, the threshold value is corrected downward.

If a drive end signal has been output from the drive end detection unit 85 (step S44), a value obtained by adding a predetermined value (5 Kg) to the maximum of the sensor value for a predetermined time (4 seconds) is updated. The threshold value is stored in the memory (step S45), thereby updating the threshold value. Here, the maximum data of the sensor value is obtained from the output from the drive end detection unit 85, and the maximum data of the sensor value for a predetermined time (4 seconds) is obtained.

If the drive end signal has not been output in step S44, a threshold value is output (step S46). This threshold value is input to the drive start detection unit 83.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing for opening and closing the gate 86. In this process, first, the gate is closed (step S51), and when the drive start signal is output from the drive start detection unit 83, the gate is opened (step S53), and the drive end signal is output from the drive end detection unit 85. If output is made, the gate is closed (step S55).

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the timing for driving the motor 87 and how the threshold is updated. First, as described from the left side of the figure, at time a, the pedaling force starts to increase, but since the threshold value is not exceeded, the driving of the motor 87 is not started. Then, at time b, since the threshold value is exceeded, the driving of the motor 87 is started. The pedaling force changes to a mountain shape as shown in the figure.

At time c, the pedaling force becomes “0”,
The drive of the motor 87 is terminated at a time d when the state in which the fluctuation of the pedaling force is small (substantially constant near “0”) continues for a predetermined time. From time c to time d, the motor 87 is controlled based on the detected value of the pedaling force “0”.

At time e, the driving of the motor 87 is started. However, since the pedaling force is constant (between time f and time g) due to the state of putting a foot on the pedal, the motor 87 is driven at time g. Is terminated, and at this time, the threshold value is also updated.

After time g, the pedaling force is applied, but since the threshold value is higher than that, driving of the motor 87 is not started. Then, at time h, when a pedaling force equal to or greater than the new threshold value is applied, driving is started.

During the period from time i to time j, (current pedaling force +
Since the predetermined value is smaller than the current threshold value, the threshold value is successively updated downward with a decrease in the pedaling force. Then, from time j, the threshold value returns to the initial value.

In this way, by starting or ending the driving of the motor 87 and updating the threshold value, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption and drive the electric bicycle in a better state. it can.

[0092]

According to the present invention, when the fluctuation range of the driving force detected by the human power detecting means is smaller than the predetermined width for a predetermined time or more, the operation of the electric driving means is stopped. As a result, when the pedal is not being pedaled, the operation of the electric drive means can be stopped, and wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

[0093]

Further, when the state in which the variation of the pedaling force is smaller than the predetermined width continues for a predetermined time or more and the operation of the electric driving means is stopped, the threshold value stored in the threshold value comparing means is reset. If a new threshold value is obtained by adding a predetermined value to the driving force detected by the human power detecting means, and the threshold value is updated when the electric driving means is stopped in this manner, the threshold value is continuously changed again. The electric drive means can be prevented from operating.

When the threshold value lowering correction means is further provided, the threshold value can be corrected lower.
Can be modified to a lower value.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of the electric bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration inside a disk-shaped casing according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a final stage pulley of the electric bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of the final stage pulley of the electric bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a final stage pulley of the electric bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a torque detector of the electric bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing waveforms of respective portions in a circuit of a torque detector of the electric bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the electric motor according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a circuit for starting or ending the driving of the electric motor in the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing contents for starting driving of a motor in the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing for terminating driving of a motor according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing contents for updating a threshold value in the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing contents for opening and closing a gate according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the timing of driving a motor and how thresholds are updated in the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a conventional electric bicycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 wheels (rear wheel) 5 disc-shaped casing 6 rotating casing 7 fixed casing 7a board 7b reed switch 8 electric motor 9 electric driving unit 10 manual driving unit 11 pedal 26 control unit 39 axle 40 elastic body (spring) 42 rotating plate 42a Boss 42b Magnet 44 Inclined part 45 Sliding member 46 Projection 47 Elastic member (spring) 48 Magnetic member (ferrite) 49 Coil 51 Conversion member 52 Torque detector 71 Treading force detector 72 CPU 73 Switching element 74 Switching element controller 75 DC power supply 76 diode 77 power supply voltage detector 78 motor current sensor 79 vehicle speed detector 81 motor current detector 82 controller 83 drive start detector 84 threshold updater 85 drive end detector 86 gate 87 motor 88 reducer 89 wheels

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-255564 (JP, A) JP-A-7-33069 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B62M 23/02

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An electric drive means for driving wheels by an electric motor, a human drive means for driving wheels by human power, a human power detection means for detecting a driving force of the human drive means, and an output from the human power detection means, Control means for adjusting the driving force of the electric driving means so that the driving force of the electric driving means and the driving force of the human driving means have an appropriate ratio; and a variation range of the driving force detected by the human power detecting means. The detected fluctuation width is compared with a predetermined width, and when the fluctuation width is smaller than the predetermined width for a predetermined time or more, the operation of the electric driving means is stopped. An electric bicycle with an electric motor stopping function, comprising an operation stopping means. 2. An electric driving means for driving wheels by an electric motor, a human driving means for driving wheels by human power, a human detecting means for detecting driving force of the human driving means, and an output from the human power detecting means, A control unit that adjusts the driving force of the electric driving unit so that the driving force of the electric driving unit and the driving force of the human driving unit have an appropriate ratio, and a preset threshold value is stored. Threshold value comparing means for comparing the detected driving force with the threshold value, and operation for starting the operation of the electric driving means when the driving force detected by the human power detecting means becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Starting means, a fluctuation width detecting means for detecting a fluctuation width of the driving force detected by the human power detecting means,
The detected fluctuation width is compared with the predetermined width, and when the fluctuation width is smaller than the predetermined width for a predetermined time or more, the threshold value stored in the threshold value comparing means is changed to An electric bicycle with an electric motor stop function, comprising: threshold value updating means for updating a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the driving force detected by the detecting means. 3. The threshold value stored in the threshold value comparing means is compared with a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the driving force detected by the human power detecting means, and the value of the value is compared with the threshold value. 3. The electric bicycle with an electric motor stop function according to claim 2, further comprising a threshold value lowering correcting means for lowering the threshold value to a lower value when the value is smaller.