JP3667856B2 - Auxiliary power control device for vehicles with auxiliary power - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a human-powered drive system that supplies pedal depression force to drive wheels, an auxiliary drive system that supplies auxiliary power from an auxiliary drive source such as an electric motor to drive wheels, and pedal depression force on a crankshaft and vehicle speed. The present invention relates to an auxiliary power control device for a vehicle with auxiliary power, comprising auxiliary power control means for variably controlling the auxiliary power.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is an auxiliary motorized vehicle which is adapted to supply auxiliary power from the electric motor or the like according to the pedal depression force inputted to the crank shaft (manpower torque) and assisting ratio determined based on the vehicle speed (assist ratio) .
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional vehicle with auxiliary power, the assist ratio is constant at 1.0 at, for example, 0 to 15 km / h, gradually decreases from 15 to 24 km / h, and no auxiliary power at 24 km / h or more. Since it is fixed to each type of vehicle, it is not possible to respond to a request to change the degree of auxiliary power supplied from the motor according to the rider's age, physical strength, planned travel distance, travel purpose, etc. Is the actual situation.
[0004]
In addition, it is difficult to obtain service data such as the total travel distance, travel time, system abnormality, etc. required for inspection and maintenance with the above-mentioned conventional vehicles, and it takes time and labor for inspection and maintenance, and the cost increases. There is.
[0005]
In addition, there is a problem that it takes time to change the characteristics of the control device, which is necessary when the system components such as the motor and the human torque detection sensor are changed by a minor change or the like.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and it is possible to easily change the supply level (assist ratio) of the auxiliary power according to the user's preference, etc., and to easily maintain and manage the minor change. It is an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary power control device for a vehicle with auxiliary power that can easily change the characteristics of the control device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a human-powered drive system that supplies pedal depression force to drive wheels, an auxiliary drive system that supplies auxiliary power from an auxiliary drive source to drive wheels, and the auxiliary power that is applied according to the pedal depression force and the vehicle speed to the crankshaft. In the auxiliary power control device for a vehicle with auxiliary power provided with the auxiliary power control means of the controller for variably controlling, the auxiliary power control means is configured such that when a memory card storing presettable fixed information is used, The fixed information is read from the memory card, and the auxiliary power is variably controlled based on the fixed information , and the flow information generated by running is written to the memory card, and the auxiliary power is turned on when the memory card is not used. It is characterized by variable control according to the standard control characteristics of the controller .
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining an auxiliary power control device for a bicycle with auxiliary power according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side view of the bicycle, and FIG. 2 is a configuration of a power supply device for the bicycle. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of another type of battery used in the bicycle, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device.
[0009]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a bicycle with auxiliary power. A body frame 10 of the bicycle 1 includes a head pipe 12, a down tube 14 extending obliquely downward from the head pipe 12 toward the rear of the vehicle body, and an upper portion from the rear portion of the down tube 14. A pair of left and right rear arms 20, 20 extending rearward from the rear end of the down tube 14, the rear ends of the rear arms 20, 20 and the upper end of the seat tube 16. And a pair of left and right seat stays 22, 22.
[0010]
A front fork 24 having a front wheel 28 pivotally supported at the lower end and a steering handle 26 fixed to the upper end is pivotally supported on the head pipe 12 so as to be rotatable left and right. A seat post 30a is inserted into the seat tube 16 so as to be adjustable in height, and a saddle 30 is attached to the upper end of the seat post 30a. Furthermore, a rear wheel 32 is rotatably mounted between the rear ends of the rear arms 20 and 20, and an internal transmission is incorporated in the hub 34 of the rear wheel 32.
[0011]
Reference numeral 40 denotes a power unit (electric power drive system) as a power source of the bicycle with auxiliary power, and the power unit 40 projects to the power case 42 and the power case 42 obliquely forward and upward. And a permanent magnet type DC electric motor 44 disposed in the vehicle body cover 41. The power case 42 is attached below the rear portion 14 a of the down tube 14, and the electric motor 44 is parallel to the rear portion 14 a of the down tube 14.
[0012]
A crankshaft 46 is inserted through the power case 42 in the vehicle width direction, and crank arms 48 (only one is shown) are fixed to both ends of the power case 42. A crank pedal 50 is attached to the crank arm 48. As a result, a human power drive system 75 is configured to transmit the pedaling force applied to the crank pedal 50 to the rear wheels via the chain 52.
[0013]
The pedaling force applied to the crank pedal 50 is detected by a pedaling force sensor 73 (see FIG. 2) provided in the power case 42, and the output (auxiliary power) of the electric motor 44 is detected by the controller 54. And is controlled based on the crankshaft rotation speed. The pedaling force of the pedal 50 and the auxiliary power of the electric motor 44 are combined in the power case 42, and the resultant force is transmitted to the rear wheel 32 via the chain 52. The controller 54 for controlling the output of the motor 44 is mounted in the vehicle body cover 41 so as to be positioned below the front portion 14b of the down tube 14.
[0014]
In the vicinity of the connection portion of the vehicle body frame 10 to the head pipe 12, there are a main switch 56 and an insertion slot 63 for inserting a memory card 76 in which the degree of supply of auxiliary power according to the rider's physical strength, preference, etc. is stored. Is arranged. Note that the memory card 76 has preset speed-assist ratio characteristics, pedaling force response characteristics (such as advancing or delaying the phase of the assisting force with respect to the pedaling force signal), pedaling force-assist ratio characteristics, and the pedaling force sensor 73 and motor. 44 characteristics and the like are stored. The main switch 56 and the insertion port 63 face outward from an opening 41 a formed in the vehicle body cover 41.
[0015]
Reference numeral 64 denotes a nickel-cadmium battery serving as a power source for the power unit 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the nickel-cadmium battery 64 has a large number of battery cells 66 connected in series and built in a case, and a space between the seat tube 16 and the front edge of the rear wheel 32. The battery case 60 is detachably stored in the battery case 60. The upper end of the battery case 60 is located between the left and right seat stays 22 and protrudes upward, and the nickel-cadmium battery 64 passes between the left and right seat stays 22 and 22 in the vertical direction. Installed and removed from.
[0016]
On the outer surface of the bottom of the case of the nickel-cadmium battery 64, anode and cathode terminals 64a and 64b and a discrimination terminal 64c for judging the battery type are formed. Here, the discrimination terminal 64c is internally connected to a cathode terminal (ground terminal) 64b. The discrimination terminal 64c can be connected closer to the cathode side of the battery cell 66.
[0017]
The battery case 60 has an anode, a cathode, and discrimination terminals 60a, 60b, 60c on the inner surface of the bottom of the battery case 60 so as to correspond to the terminals 64a to 64c on the side of the nickel-cadmium battery 64. These terminals are connected to the nickel-cadmium battery 64. When it is accommodated in the battery case 60, it is automatically connected.
[0018]
The terminals 60a to 60c at the bottom of the battery case 60 are connected to the controller 54 via a cable 67, thereby determining the battery type, displaying the battery type on the indicator 69, and the battery type. Accordingly, a power feeding device 68 for controlling the amount of power fed to the electric motor 44 of the power unit 40 is configured. The above-mentioned battery type means battery capacity, battery type (nickel battery, lead battery) and the like.
[0019]
The controller 54 includes a CPU 70 that functions as battery type detection means and auxiliary power control means. The terminal T1 of the CPU 70 is connected to the base of a transistor 71 as a switching element interposed between the anode terminal 60a and the electric motor 44, and the terminal T2 includes a load such as a resistor on the determination terminal 60c. They are connected via the I / F 72. The I / F 72 is connected to a 5v power source, and the cathode terminal 60b is grounded in the controller 54.
[0020]
Here, the battery type detection function of the controller 54 determines whether the battery is the nickel-cadmium battery 64 or another type of battery 65 shown in FIG. In order to make this determination possible, the determination terminal 65c is internally connected to the ground side in FIG. 2, but is open as shown in FIG.
[0021]
The battery type discrimination operation is performed as follows.
When the nickel-cadmium battery 64 is mounted in the battery case 60, the voltage at the terminal T2 of the CPU 70 becomes 0v (low) because the determination terminal 60c is grounded via the determination terminal 64c on the battery side. On the other hand, when the battery 65 is mounted, the determination terminal 60c is opened through the battery-side terminal 65c, and thus becomes approximately 5v (high). Accordingly, when the terminal T2 is low, it is determined that the nickel-cadmium battery 64 is mounted, and when the voltage at the terminal T2 is high, it is determined that the other type of battery battery 65 is mounted.
[0022]
The determined battery type is displayed on the indicator (type display means) 69, battery characteristics corresponding to the type are set, and the amount of power supplied to the electric motor 44 is controlled according to the characteristics. Thus, auxiliary power control according to the pedaling force applied to the pedal 50 is performed.
[0023]
Reference numerals 77, 78, and 79 denote interfaces for connecting the pedal force sensor 73, the speed sensor 74, and the memory card 76 to the controller 54, respectively.
[0024]
Next, the control operation of the controller 54 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
First, the controller 54 is activated when the main switch 56 is turned on, and the presence or absence of the memory card 76 is detected (steps S1 and S2). If the memory card 76 is used, the data (fixed information) stored in the card 76 is read, and the control characteristic of the controller 54 is set to a predetermined value corresponding to the data of the memory card 76. If the memory card 76 is not used, the standard control characteristics of the controller 54 are set to initial values (steps S3 and S4).
[0025]
Then, the motor 44 is controlled according to the set control characteristics, and auxiliary power is supplied (step S5).
[0026]
When the main switch 56 is turned off, if the memory card 76 is used, after the running data (flow information) is written to the card 76 (steps S6 to S8), the memory card 76 is used. If not, the controller 54 is immediately stopped (step S9).
[0027]
The travel data includes, for each travel of the battery 64 or 65, the rider's consumption calories calculated based on the accumulated discharge amount, travel distance, and the like, the cumulative usage time, the cumulative travel distance, and the power supply device 68. The cause of the abnormality is recorded.
[0028]
As described above, since the control characteristics set in advance from the memory card 76 are read and the assist force is controlled based on the characteristics, an elderly user, for example, uses a memory card with a large assist ratio. The burden can be reduced by using it.
[0029]
Further, a user who desires long-distance assist travel can reduce the discharge amount and extend the travel distance by using a memory card in which the assist ratio is set to be small.
[0030]
Further, a user who desires a training effect by load can be realized by using a memory card in which the assist ratio is set smaller.
[0031]
In addition, since the running data and system status are recorded in the memory card 76, service data necessary for inspection and maintenance can be easily obtained, and troubles during failure, inspection and maintenance can be reduced. .
[0032]
In addition, for example, when minor changes such as improving the performance by changing the motor, etc., it is possible to respond by simply recording the control characteristics corresponding to the changed motor etc. on the memory card, reducing the labor and cost of the minor change it can.
[0033]
In the above embodiment, the auxiliary drive source is an electric motor. However, the auxiliary drive source in the present invention is not limited to an electric motor, and is of another type such as a gasoline engine. Can also be adopted.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the auxiliary power control device for a vehicle with auxiliary power according to the present invention, preset fixed information is read from the memory card and the auxiliary power is variably controlled based on the fixed information. There is an effect that it is possible to easily change the power supply level etc. according to the user, and the flow information generated by running is output to the outside via the memory card, so maintenance management and minor changes etc. There is an effect that can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a bicycle with an electric motor in which an auxiliary power control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the bicycle power feeding device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of another type of battery used in the bicycle.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Bicycle with auxiliary power 32 Drive wheel 40 Electric power drive system (auxiliary drive system)
44 Motor (auxiliary drive source)
46 Crankshaft 54 controller (auxiliary power control device)
70 CPU (auxiliary power control means)
75 Human drive system

Claims (1)

A human-powered drive system that supplies pedal effort to the drive wheels, an auxiliary drive system that supplies auxiliary power from the auxiliary drive source to the drive wheels, and a controller that variably controls the auxiliary power in accordance with the pedal effort on the crankshaft and the vehicle speed In the auxiliary power control device for a vehicle with auxiliary power provided with the auxiliary power control means, the auxiliary power control means is fixed from the memory card when a memory card storing presettable fixed information is used. Reads information, variably controls the auxiliary power based on the fixed information, writes flow information generated by running to the memory card, and controls the auxiliary power when the memory card is not used. An auxiliary power control device for a vehicle with auxiliary power, which is variably controlled according to characteristics.

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