JP4920479B2 - Electric assist bicycle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrically assisted bicycle that unlocks a locking device by a regular unlocking signal and that activates an electrically assisted unit.

Electric assist bicycles are widely used from the viewpoint of energy saving. Such an electrically assisted bicycle includes an auxiliary power source for driving an electric motor or the like as auxiliary power. In order to save power consumption of the auxiliary power source, a power saving function is provided in which the auxiliary power is automatically stopped after a certain period of time even if the auxiliary power stop switch is forgotten to be turned off. On the other hand, in recent years, a configuration has been proposed in which auxiliary power such as an electric assist unit is activated in cooperation with a lock device for theft prevention (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 below).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-167137 (refer to the gazette abstract) JP 2001-233262 A (refer to the gazette abstract) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-171593 (refer to the gazette abstract)

  The electric two- and three-wheeled vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In an electric two- and three-wheeled vehicle that runs by being driven by the electric motor 140 with the key 130 inserted into the keyhole on the vehicle body side, the key 130 is written in the memory 134 by the electromotive force induced by receiving the radio wave transmitted from the vehicle body side. A response unit 131 for transmitting the unique identification code by another radio wave is provided, a transmission unit 161 for transmitting a confirmation radio wave to the response unit 131 at a certain time interval on the vehicle body side, and reception for receiving the radio wave from the response unit 131 Means 162, code collating means 163 for checking whether the unique identification code is correct by receiving the radio wave received by the receiving means 162, and when the unique identification code is correct based on this collation, driving of the electric motor 140 can be started. If there is a difference, motor control means 160 that issues a warning or stops is provided.

  Further, the electronically assisted bicycle electronic lock and the travel data recording device disclosed in Patent Document 2 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. When unlocked, it is moved to the open position by the coil spring 225, and when locked, it is manually moved to the closed position against the tension of the coil spring 225 and locked by the hook stopper 230 to restrain the rotation of the wheel. The IC card key 250 having a main body and a transmitting means for starting and transmitting the encryption stored in the memory when inserted in the middle position, and the number received in the receiving means are compared with the number stored in its own memory. When the numbers match, the card stopper 244 is released and the power supply circuit of the assist driving device is closed. When the card stopper 244 is released, the IC card key 250 is pushed to the final position and The stopper 223 is opened and is held by the guard gripper 240.

  Furthermore, the lock device for the battery-assisted bicycle disclosed in Patent Document 3 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. By pushing down a push rod 345 provided between the seat post 323 and the battery 304, the lock lever disposed at the tip of the push rod is engaged with the gear on the crankshaft 301. The drive sprocket 313 is attached to the rear sprocket and rigid, and the rear wheel WR is locked by locking the gear on the crankshaft. The cam surface provided on the side surface of the push rod is in contact with the battery hook 350, and the hook 350 can be engaged with the recess of the battery 304 simultaneously with the locking of the wheel. In order to lift the push rod 345 and release the lock, a solenoid 342 capable of remote control operation is provided.

  In the conventional electrically assisted bicycle as described above, the first conventional example of FIG. 6 disclosed in Patent Document 1 emits radio waves from the vehicle body, and transmits an identification code from the key 130 in response thereto. Then, if the code is verified on the vehicle body side and determined to be appropriate, the electric motor 140 can be started, so that the identity verification that does not allow the unauthorized user to use the auxiliary power by unauthorized duplication of the key, etc. A device was provided. Further, in the second conventional example of FIG. 7 disclosed in Patent Document 2, if the encryption is authenticated during the operation of inserting the IC card key 250 into the circle lock, the stopper during the insertion is released. The lock can be unlocked by inserting it all the way, and the assist drive device can be switched on by authentication, which makes it impossible for a mischief during parking or an unauthorized user to use the assist drive device. Further, in the third prior art example of FIG. 8 disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is engaged with a rotating body (gear on the crankshaft 301) in the electric unit and locked, and the locking device is operated by remote control. In response to this release command, the power to the electric unit is also turned on, so the rotating body in the electric auxiliary unit can be locked and the vehicle body can be locked regardless of the wheel size, making parts common and easy to assemble At the same time, the battery can be locked to prevent unauthorized use of the electric unit.

  However, in the above-described conventional electric assist bicycle, the unlocking of the locking device and the activation / use of auxiliary power such as the electric assist device can be performed under the identity verification to surely exclude unauthorized users. In addition, there is a problem in durability and operability with an IC card key, and as described above, with an auxiliary power automatic stop device as a power saving function of the auxiliary power source, a temporary stop time during traveling The auxiliary power was automatically stopped when the engine was prolonged, and there was a risk of hindering restart. In addition, when theft is encountered while leaving the vehicle during the temporary stop, there is a possibility of getting on and running away with the auxiliary power activated.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the problems of the conventional electric assist bicycle, links the legitimate user identification function with unlocking and activation of the electric assist unit, and prolongs the pause time during running. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrically assisted bicycle having an antitheft function while linking the identification function and the activation of the electrically assisted unit.

Therefore, the present invention relates to an electrically assisted bicycle in which the lock device is unlocked and the electrically assisted unit is activated, after a predetermined time has elapsed without detecting the drive torque and the electrically assisted unit is automatically stopped by the automatic stop mechanism. The electric assist unit is restarted when the driving torque is detected again and the wireless transmitter carried by the occupant receives a regular ID signal that is constantly or intermittently transmitted , and the ID signal is If the wireless transmitter signal that is illegal or transmits a legitimate ID signal is out of the reception range and cannot be received, it is impossible to start if the electric assist unit is stopped. It is characterized by being configured to be stopped . Further, the present invention is characterized in that the lock device can be operated under reception of a regular ID signal. Further, according to the present invention, when the driving torque is detected again after the automatic stop, the ID signal is received, and when the received ID signal is normal, an assist activation signal is transmitted to restart the electric assist unit. It is configured as described above. The present invention is characterized in that the reception operation is performed at regular intervals. According to the present invention, the assist activation signal is a pulse signal. In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the automatic stop timer of the electric assist unit is reset every time the assist activation signal is received after the electric assist unit is activated. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the receiving device for receiving the ID signal and the transmitting device for transmitting the assist activation signal are configured integrally with the lock device, and these are for solving the problem. It is a means.

According to the present invention, in the electrically assisted bicycle in which the lock device is unlocked and the electrically assisted unit is activated, after the drive torque is not detected and a predetermined time elapses, the electrically assisted unit is automatically stopped by the automatic stop mechanism. The electric assist unit is restarted when the driving torque is detected again and the wireless transmitter carried by the occupant receives a regular ID signal that is constantly or intermittently transmitted , and the ID signal is If the wireless transmitter signal that is illegal or transmits a legitimate ID signal is out of the reception range and cannot be received, it is impossible to start if the electric assist unit is stopped. with the arrangements so as to place stop, the electric assist unit is self while traveling there is a pause for a predetermined time or more at a railroad crossing, etc. Even if you stop, if you have a wireless transmitter (such as a portable key) that always sends a regular unlocking signal, the electric assist unit can be restarted simply by depressing the pedal. It is possible to restart easily and lightly without any operation. Moreover, a bicycle from a user bringing a wireless transmitter (such as a portable key) that sends or receives a legitimate ID signal, or getting on and off by an unauthorized user who brings a wireless transmitter (such as a portable key) that transmits an unauthorized ID signal. At the time of looting and moving away, it becomes impossible to activate the electric assist unit, and unauthorized use is prevented.

  In addition, when the lock device is configured to operate under the reception of the regular ID signal, the lock device is configured to receive a valid identity confirmation under the reception of the ID signal transmitted from a wireless transmitter (such as a portable key). Originally, the lock device can be unlocked and the electric assist unit can be activated.

  Further, when the driving torque is detected again after the automatic stop, the electric assist unit is restarted by performing the receiving operation of the ID signal and transmitting an assist starting signal when the received ID signal is normal. In such a case, when the electric assist unit re-starts after being automatically stopped, the ID signal in the lock device is reconfirmed by the receiving operation. In addition to being able to ensure start-up, even if an unauthorized user tries to get off the bicycle during a temporary stop, the ID signal cannot be reconfirmed and unauthorized use of the electrically assisted bicycle is prevented.

Further, when the reception operation is performed at regular intervals, power consumption due to constant reception is suppressed and power saving is achieved.

  Furthermore, when the assist activation signal is a pulse signal, power consumption due to constant transmission is suppressed and power is saved. Furthermore, when the automatic assist timer of the electric assist unit is reset every time the assist activation signal is received after the electric assist unit is activated, a legitimate user parked away from the bicycle. The anti-theft function is effectively exhibited because the electric assist unit is stopped when the state where the unauthorized user gets on and escapes and the normal ID signal is not confirmed on the bicycle side continues as well as the wheel state.

  Further, when the receiving device that receives the ID signal and the transmitting device that transmits the assist activation signal are configured integrally with the lock device, each component can be integrally disposed in the lock device, so that the product cost is reduced. Assembling man-hours and space saving can be realized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is a block diagram of the electrically assisted bicycle, and FIG. 1 (B) is the entire electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the lock device, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a receiving operation in the first embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sibling key type control flow diagram including a restart control flow with a receiving operation showing a third embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the basic configuration of the electric assist bicycle of the present invention is a predetermined time without detecting the driving torque in the electric assist bicycle in which the lock device 20 is unlocked and the electric assist unit 30 is activated. After the electric assist unit 30 is automatically stopped by the automatic stop mechanism, the driving torque is detected again (by the torque sensor 31), and the wireless transmitter (portable key 10) carried by the occupant is always or always intermittent. When receiving the legitimate ID signal to be transmitted, the electric assist unit 30 is configured to restart, and the signal of the wireless transmitter 10 that transmits the legitimate ID signal is the ID signal is invalid. Is out of the reception range and cannot be received, the electric assist unit 30 cannot be activated if it is stopped, Characterized by being configured to stop if Re.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (B), an electric assist unit 30 is disposed in a pedal crank portion at a substantially lower center of the bicycle. The electric assist unit 30 includes a drive sprocket that is integrally fixed to the pedal crankshaft, a drive gear that is similarly fixed to the pedal crankshaft, an auxiliary power electric motor 33 that drives the drive gear via a reduction gear, and the like. And an auxiliary power source 3 installed on a seat post or the like for supplying electric power to the auxiliary power electric motor 33. A locking device 20 is installed that is attached to the rear wheel hawk and moves between the rear wheel spokes so as to move forward and backward. An indicator 1 is installed in the handle portion, and various control states and remaining battery levels are displayed by LEDs, and unlocking buttons and the like of embodiments described later are disposed.

  FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the transmission motor 23 is driven continuously by operating the unlocking button 20A of the locking device 20 under the reception of the ID signal transmitted from the portable key 10 constantly or intermittently. Is. The ID signal generated by the control circuit 12 in the portable key 10 is always transmitted through the antenna 13. When the unlocking button 20A of the locking device 20 is operated while a legitimate user is on board or on the side of the bicycle, the ID signal is received by the antenna 21 provided in the locking device 20, and the control circuit 22 Drives the unlocking motor 23. When unlocking is completed, the unlocking sensor 24 detects the unlocking completion and sends an assist unit activation signal.

  In the control circuit 32 in the electric assist unit 30, it is possible to know that the electric assist unit 30 has been activated by displaying the remaining amount of the auxiliary power source 3 and the like on the indicator 1 installed on the handle portion by the LED 2. . Further, in the control circuit 32, the auxiliary power electric motor 33 can be rotationally driven while the driving torque during traveling is constantly detected by the torque sensor 31, and the auxiliary power can be obtained to travel lightly. Further, in the control circuit 32, as will be described in detail later, when the electric assist unit 30 is automatically stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time without detecting the drive torque, the drive torque is detected again (by the torque sensor 31) and When the ID signal can be received, the electric assist unit 30 is restarted.

  FIG. 2 is an overall sectional view of the lock device. As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the collar 28A is attached to the rear wheel fork so that it can move forward and backward between the rear wheel spokes. By moving the eaves 28A against the restoring force of the return spring 28B in the direction of the arrow with fingers, the wheel is locked by being positioned between the rear wheel spokes. At this time, one end portion of the link lever 26 supported by the fulcrum 26A is biased counterclockwise by the spring 26C, so that the claw portion 26B of the link lever 26 pushes the first locking hole 28C of the flange 28A. After removal, the hook 28A is held in the locked position by being locked in the second locking hole 28D.

  As described above, when the lock device 20 receives the ID signal which is the personal authentication signal, the control circuit 22 (not shown in FIG. 2) recognizes that the owner of the portable key 10 is a valid user. Thus, the unlocking motor 23 is driven by obtaining electric power from the battery 29. In addition, you may comprise so that the electric power of an unlocking motor may be supplied from the auxiliary power source 3 of an electrically assisted bicycle. As a result, the worm 23A rotates, the first pinion gear 25A and the second pinion gear 25B constituting the reduction gear are rotated, and the cam 25C fixed to the second pinion gear 25B is rotated. As a result, the cam 25C swings the other end of the link lever 26 in the clockwise direction. Then, the claw portion 26B of the link lever 26 is detached from the second locking hole 28D of the flange 28A, and the flange 28A is returned to the unlocked position by the restoring force of the return spring 28B (state shown in FIG. 2). At that time, the unlocking sensor 24 which is a limit switch detects unlocking of the locking device 20, and the control circuit 22 sends an assist unit activation signal to the electric assist unit 30. What is indicated by reference numeral 27 is an emergency key cylinder that forcibly swings the link lever 26 to the unlocked position in an emergency.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention. Although the thing of a present Example is a thing of the always transmission system similar to the thing of the said 1st Example, in this Example, the unlocking button 4 in the locking device 20 is installed in the handle part which a finger | toe easily reaches It is. Since the remaining configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a control flow diagram including restart with a reception request in the first embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle of the present invention. First, the flow from the parking state will be described. Under the situation where the ID signal of the portable key 10 held by the occupant is constantly or intermittently transmitted, the occupant operates the unlock button 20A of the push button having a simple structure of the locking device 20 in step S1. In step S2, reception of the ID signal is started. If the IDs match in step S3, the unlocking motor 23 is driven in step S5. If the ID signal does not match in step S3 and a predetermined time elapses (step S4), the unauthorized use is recognized, the process proceeds to step S10, the reception request is waited, and the electric assist unit 30 is not activated. . When the unlocking completion is confirmed in step S6, an assist activation signal is sent in step S7.

  Next, in step S8 of the electric assist unit 30, it is confirmed that there is no torque for parking, and further in step S11, if there is an activation signal, the electric assist unit 30 is activated in step S12, In step S13, the indicator 1 is activated. Thereafter, when driving is started and the driving torque is detected in step S14, it is determined in step S15 whether or not it is a reception request time of the ID signal. Timer) is reset, and a reception request (reception operation) is performed in step S17. On the other hand, if it is not the reception request time in step S15, the activation signal is confirmed in step S18. If there is no activation signal, it is determined in step S20 whether it is a unit stop time. If it is not a unit stop time, the process returns to step S14.

  When the reception request is made in step S17, the reception request is confirmed in step S10 of the lock device 20, the ID signal of the portable key 10 is received in step S2, and S3, S5, S6, S7 are received. Proceed to and send an activation signal. On the other hand, after making a reception request in step S17, the electric assist unit 30 proceeds to S20, S14, S15, and S18, and this time receives an activation signal, and proceeds to step S19 to reset the automatic stop time. As a result, if the torque is detected and a normal ID signal can be received, the electric assist unit 30 can continue running without stopping.

  On the other hand, as a flow of automatic stop of the electric assist unit, the state where the torque is not detected continues in step S14, the loop of step S14 and step S20 is repeated, and after the unit stop time is reached, the process proceeds from step S20 to step S21. The assist unit automatically stops, and the indicator 1 stops in step S22. This prevents power consumption and saves power.

  Next, the flow of restart from automatic stop will be described. After the electric assist unit 30 automatically stops, the loop of step S8 and step S11 is repeated. When the drive torque is detected again in step S8, a reception request is made to the lock device 20 in step S9. When the ID signals match and an assist activation signal is transmitted in step S7, the assist activation signal is confirmed in step S11, and the assist unit is activated again in step S12.

That is, if the portable key 10 is held, the electric assist unit 30 is activated by unlocking the lock device 20 for the electric assist bicycle of the present invention in a locked state, while the electric assist unit 30 is not locked. If it is in a state, the electric assist unit is activated as long as the bicycle is started as in a normal bicycle.

  FIG. 5 is a restart control flow diagram with a brother key type reception request showing a third embodiment of the electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention. In this embodiment, for example, a plurality of portable keys capable of transmitting a plurality of ID1, ID2,... IDn for each business unit such as a family or an office are prepared. In the control circuit of the present embodiment, a plurality of ID1, ID2,... IDn function as valid user authentication IDs. In step S1, the unlock button of the lock device 20 is operated, and in step S2, an ID signal is received. When a match with the authentication ID 1 is confirmed in step S3, the unlocking motor is driven in step S5. When unlocking is completed in step S6, an assist mode 1 activation signal corresponding to the authentication ID 1 is transmitted in step S7. After receiving the ID signal in step S2, the authentication ID1, ID2,... IDn are matched in steps S3, S23,... Sn3 for each authentication ID1, ID2,. Assist modes 1, 2,... N corresponding to each authentication ID 1, ID 2... IDn should also be said to be a ride. For example, a plurality of different assist rates (for families, for young people, elderly people) Etc.) is set.

  The lower part of FIG. 5 is a control flow of which assist mode is set by the assist mode activation signal set in authentication ID1, ID2,... IDn. As described in detail in FIG. 4 for each assist mode, the driving torque is detected and a reception request is sent to the lock device, and it can be confirmed whether the authentication IDn is always valid. The control flow on the unit side is similar to the control flow for starting / stopping / restarting the assist unit shown in FIG.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, within the scope of the present invention, the form of the unlocking signal (specific frequency, combination of pulse signals, etc.), the shape and form of the locking device (the arc shape of the embodiment) Not only the saddle type but also a straight saddle type) and its installation site (not only the rear wheel but also a device acting on the front wheel or the crankshaft), the shape, type, and drive torque detecting means of the electric assist unit The type of torque sensor, the type of indicator at the start of the electric assist unit (the number of LEDs for remaining power display can be turned on as well as the simple power-on lamp, etc.) The type, the shape and type of the unlocking motor, the assist unit activation signal transmission method (wired, wireless), etc. can be selected as appropriate.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an electric assist bicycle according to a first embodiment of the electric assist bicycle of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an overall side view of the electric assist bicycle according to the present invention. It is a whole sectional view of a lock device same as the above. It is a block block diagram which shows 2nd Example of the electrically assisted bicycle of this invention. FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram including a restart with a reception request according to the first embodiment of this invention. It is a control flow figure including the restart control flow with a reception request which shows the 3rd example of the electric assistant bicycle of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the electric two-wheeled and tricycle of a 1st prior art example. It is explanatory drawing of the electronic lock for electrically-assisted bicycles of 2nd prior art, and a driving | running | working data recording device. It is explanatory drawing of the locking device for electrically assisted bicycles of the 3rd prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Indicator 2 LED
3 Auxiliary power supply 10 Portable key (wireless transmitter)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Transmission button 12 Control circuit 13 Transmission antenna 20 Locking device 21 Reception antenna 22 Control circuit 23 Unlocking motor 24 Unlocking sensor 30 Electric assist unit 31 Torque sensor 32 Control circuit 33 Auxiliary power motor

Claims (7)

In an electrically assisted bicycle that unlocks the lock device and activates the electric assist unit, the drive torque is detected again after a predetermined time has elapsed without the drive torque being detected and the electric assist unit is automatically stopped by the automatic stop mechanism. And when the wireless transmitter carried by the occupant receives a regular ID signal that is constantly or intermittently transmitted, the electric assist unit is configured to restart and the ID signal is invalid, or When the signal of the wireless transmitter that transmits a regular ID signal is out of the reception range and cannot be received, the electric assist unit is disabled when the electric assist unit is stopped, and is stopped when the electric assist unit is active An electrically assisted bicycle characterized by The power-assisted bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the lock device is configured to be operable under reception of a regular ID signal. The configuration is such that when the driving torque is detected again after the automatic stop, the electric assist unit is restarted by performing the receiving operation of the ID signal and transmitting an assist starting signal when the received ID signal is normal. The electrically assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2. The power-assisted bicycle according to claim 3, wherein the reception operation is performed at regular intervals. The electric assist bicycle according to claim 3, wherein the assist activation signal is a pulse signal. The electrically assisted bicycle according to claim 3, wherein after the electrically assisted unit is activated, an automatic stop timer of the electrically assisted unit is reset every time the assist activation signal is received. The power-assisted bicycle according to claim 3, wherein a receiving device that receives the ID signal and a transmitting device that transmits the assist activation signal are configured integrally with the lock device.

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