JP6936743B2 - Electric assisted bicycle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrically power assisted bicycle.

Conventionally, electrically power assisted bicycles as shown in Patent Document 1 below have been known. This electrically power assisted bicycle includes a front wheel, a rear wheel, a brake lever, a pedal, a motor, a battery, a pedal effort sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a brake switch. In addition, this electrically power assisted bicycle is equipped with a mode switch that switches between a mode in which regenerative charging is performed only when the brake is operated and a mode in which regenerative charging is performed even when the brake is not operated. Patent Document 1 describes that in a mode in which regenerative charging is performed other than when the brake is operated, regenerative charging is performed when the brake is operated, when the vehicle descends a slope, and when the vehicle travels on a flat road. Further, Patent Document 1 describes that regenerative control is performed in a state where the pedaling force is equal to or lower than a predetermined level in a mode in which regenerative charging is performed even when the brake is not operated.

Japanese Patent No. 4124411

By the way, a general user (driver) wants to stop the regenerative charging when the regenerative charging is performed at a time other than the time when the brake is operated (that is, the regenerative braking state is released and the vehicle speed is reduced. Includes users (trying to suppress).
However, in the electrically power assisted bicycle described in Patent Document 1, when the regenerative charging is performed at a time other than the brake operation, even if the user wishes to stop the regenerative charging, the pedaling force is predetermined as described above. Since it is below the level, regenerative charging does not stop (that is, the regenerative braking state cannot be released and the vehicle speed drops).
The power-assisted bicycle disclosed in Patent Document 1, in such a case, the user, in order to avoid a decrease in vehicle speed must Koga the pedal (that is, than a predetermined level of the You have to increase your pedaling force). As a result, the electrically assisted bicycle described in Patent Document 1 may cause the user to feel stress.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrically assisted bicycle capable of improving the regeneration rate while suppressing the possibility that the user feels stress.

In order to solve the above problems, the electrically power assisted bicycle of the present invention responds to the front wheels, the rear wheels, the brake lever, the pedal to which the pedaling force for driving the rear wheels is applied, and the pedaling force applied to the pedals. A motor for driving the front wheels or the rear wheels, a battery for storing the power regenerated by the motor, a vehicle speed detection unit for detecting the vehicle speed, a brake operation detection unit for detecting the operation of the brake lever, and the pedal. It is an electrically assisted bicycle provided with a pedal rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the brake lever, and in the first case where the operation of the brake lever is detected by the brake operation detection unit, regeneration is performed by the motor at the first regeneration degree. The vehicle speed detection unit detects an increase in the vehicle speed, and the pedal rotation speed detected by the pedal rotation detection unit is weaker than the first regeneration degree in the second case where the rotation speed of the pedal is equal to or less than the second threshold value. In the first regeneration mode in which the motor regenerates at the second regeneration degree, and in the first case, the motor regenerates at the first regeneration degree, and in the second case, the motor regenerates at the second regeneration degree. In the third case where the rotation speed of the pedal detected by the pedal rotation detection unit is equal to or less than the third threshold value, the motor regenerates at a regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree. A control unit for switching to the regeneration mode is further provided.

That is, in the electrically assisted bicycle of the present invention, in the first regeneration mode, a user who does not wish to regenerate by the motor rotates the pedal in the reverse direction, or rotates the pedal forward to the extent that no input torque is generated, and the number of rotations of the pedal. If is greater than the second threshold, regeneration by the motor is not performed.
Therefore, according to the electrically power assisted bicycle of the present invention, even though the user does not desire the regeneration by the motor, the regeneration by the motor is performed to reduce the vehicle speed, and the risk that the user feels stress is suppressed. be able to. That is, according to the electrically power assisted bicycle of the present invention, it is possible to improve the regeneration rate while suppressing the possibility that the user feels stress.

Further, in the electrically assisted bicycle, the control unit includes a regeneration degree changing unit that changes the regeneration degree in the third case, and in the second regeneration mode, the regeneration degree in the third case is determined. A strong regeneration mode set to a third regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree, and a weak regeneration mode in which the regeneration degree in the third case is set to a fourth regeneration degree weaker than the third regeneration degree. It may include a mode.
With this configuration, for example, the regeneration degree changing unit switches between the weak regeneration mode and the strong regeneration mode according to the user's operation, so that the user who desires a weak regeneration degree can be satisfied. It is also possible to satisfy users who desire an extremely strong degree of regeneration.

Further, in the electrically assisted bicycle, the regeneration degree changing unit may set the second regeneration degree to a stronger regeneration degree than the third regeneration degree.
With this configuration, the regeneration rate can be improved as compared with the case where the second regeneration degree in the second case of the first regeneration mode is set to a regeneration degree weaker than the third regeneration degree.

Further, the electrically assisted bicycle further includes an input unit that accepts an input operation for selecting one of the first regeneration mode, the weak regeneration mode, and the strong regeneration mode, and the input unit has zero vehicle speed. If, the input operation may be accepted.
That is, in the electrically assisted bicycle, the input unit does not have to accept the input operation when the vehicle speed is higher than zero, that is, while the electrically assisted bicycle is running.
With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the user performs an input operation on the input unit while the electrically assisted bicycle is running. That is, the safety can be improved as compared with the case where the input unit accepts the input operation while the electrically assisted bicycle is running.

Further, in the electrically assisted bicycle, in the third case, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit may be larger than the fourth threshold value.
With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the vehicle speed will drop too much and the electrically power assisted bicycle will become unstable due to the regeneration by the motor when the vehicle speed is low. .. That is, the safety can be improved as compared with the case where the regeneration is performed by the motor when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrically assisted bicycle capable of improving the regeneration rate while suppressing the possibility that the user feels stress.

It is a block diagram of an example of the electric assist bicycle of 1st Embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the handle and the like shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of an example of the electric assist bicycle of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process executed by the electric power assisted bicycle of 1st Embodiment when the input unit receives the input operation of the user who selects the 1st generation mode. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process executed by the electric power assisted bicycle of 1st Embodiment when the input unit receives the input operation of the user who selects the 2nd generation mode. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process executed by the electric assist bicycle of 2nd Embodiment when an input part receives an input operation of the user who selects a weak regeneration mode.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the electrically power assisted bicycle of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the handle 1c and the like shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment.
In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment includes a front wheel 1a, a rear wheel 1b, a handle 1c, a brake lever 1d, a pedal 1e, a saddle 1f, and a crank 1g. It has. When the brake lever 1d is not operated, the brake lever 1d is located at the position shown in FIG. 2 as “non-operated”. When the brake lever 1d is operated, the brake lever 1d is located at the position shown in "operation" in FIG. A pedaling force for driving the rear wheels 1b is applied to the pedal 1e by the user (driver). Further, the pedal 1e is connected to the crank 1g.
In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment includes a motor 11, a battery 12, an input torque detection unit 13, a vehicle speed detection unit 14, a brake operation detection unit 15, and a pedal. A rotation detection unit 16, a control unit 17, and an input unit 18 are provided. In the power running mode (discharge mode), the motor 11 drives the front wheels 1a according to the pedaling force applied to the pedal 1e.
In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the motor 11 drives the front wheels 1a, but in another example, the motor arranged on the rear wheels 1b drives the rear wheels 1b according to the pedaling force applied to the pedal 1e. You may.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the battery 12 stores the electric power regenerated by the motor 11 in the regeneration mode (charging mode). Further, the battery 12 supplies electric power to the motor 11 in the power running mode (discharge mode). The input torque detection unit 13 detects the input torque based on the pedaling force of the user applied to the pedal 1e. The input torque detection unit 13 includes, for example, a torque sensor (not shown).
The vehicle speed detection unit 14 detects the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1. The vehicle speed detection unit 14 includes, for example, a rotation speed sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation speed of the motor 11. The vehicle speed detection unit 14 calculates the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 based on the output of the rotation speed sensor.
In another example, the vehicle speed detection unit 14 may calculate the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 based on the output of a rotation speed sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation speed of the front wheels 1a or the rear wheels 1b.
In yet another example, the vehicle speed detection unit 14 may calculate the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 by integrating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor (not shown).

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the brake operation detection unit 15 detects whether or not the brake lever 1d is operated by the user. The brake operation detection unit 15 includes, for example, a brake sensor (not shown).
When the brake lever 1d is located at the position shown in FIG. 2 as “not operated”, the brake sensor outputs an OFF signal. The brake operation detection unit 15 detects that the brake lever 1d is not operated by the user based on the OFF signal output from the brake sensor.
When the brake lever 1d is located at the position shown in “During operation” in FIG. 2, the brake sensor outputs an ON signal. The brake operation detection unit 15 detects that the brake lever 1d is operated by the user based on the ON signal output from the brake sensor.
In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, as described above, the brake operation detection unit 15 detects whether or not the brake lever 1d is operated by the user. In another example, the brake operation detection unit 15 may linearly detect the operation amount of the brake lever 1d by the user. In this example, the regenerative braking force of the motor 11 may increase as the amount of operation of the brake lever 1d by the user increases.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pedal rotation detection unit 16 detects the rotation of the pedal 1e (that is, the rotation of the crank 1g). The pedal rotation detection unit 16 includes, for example, a cadence sensor (not shown).
The control unit 17 controls the power running and regeneration of the motor 11. Specifically, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to drive the front wheels 1a, controls the motor 11 to regenerate, and the like. The control unit 17 includes a mode switching unit 17A and a regeneration degree changing unit 17B. The mode switching unit 17A switches the regeneration mode between the first regeneration mode and the second regeneration mode. The regeneration degree changing unit 17B changes the regeneration degree by the motor 11. Specifically, the regeneration degree changing unit 17B sets the regeneration degree of the motor 11 to the strongest first regeneration degree in the first case described later. Further, the regeneration degree changing unit 17B sets the regeneration degree of the motor 11 to a second regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree in the second case described later. Further, the regeneration degree changing unit 17B sets the regeneration degree of the motor 11 to a third regeneration degree, which is weaker than the second regeneration degree, in the third case described later.
The input unit 18 accepts an input operation by the user. The input operation by the user includes an input operation for selecting either the first-generation mode or the second-generation mode. The input unit 18 accepts an input operation by the user when the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is zero.
In another example, the input operation by the user includes an input operation for finely adjusting the magnitude of the first regeneration degree according to the user's preference, an input operation for finely adjusting the magnitude of the second regeneration degree, and a magnitude of the third regeneration degree. It may include an input operation for fine-tuning.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed by the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment when the input unit 18 accepts the input operation of the user who selects the first regeneration mode.
The electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment executes the process shown in FIG. 4 when the input unit 18 receives an input operation of a user who selects the first regeneration mode.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, in step S11, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the operation of the brake lever 1d by the user is detected by the brake operation detection unit 15. If the operation of the brake lever 1d is detected by the brake operation detection unit 15 (first case), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the operation of the brake lever 1d is not detected by the brake operation detection unit 15, the process proceeds to step S13.
In step S12, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at the strongest first regeneration degree.

In step S13, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1. When the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1, the control unit 17 determines that the user has no intention of pedaling the pedal 1e, and proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is larger than the first threshold value TH1, the control unit 17 determines that the user intends to pedal the pedal 1e and should not perform regenerative braking. The routine shown in 4 is terminated. In another example, step S13 may be omitted.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, in step S14, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2. When the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is larger than the second threshold value TH2, the control unit 17 causes the user to rotate the pedal 1e in the reverse direction or to the extent that no input torque is generated. It is determined that 1e is rotating forward and that the motor 11 does not want to regenerate (that is, the regenerative braking is desired to be released), and the routine shown in FIG. 4 is terminated. On the other hand, when the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2, the control unit 17 does not rotate the pedal 1e in the reverse direction and no input torque is generated. It is determined that the pedal 1e is not rotated forward to the extent that the pedal 1e is desired to be regenerated by the motor 11 (that is, the regenerative braking is not desired to be released), and the process proceeds to step S15.
In step S15, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14. When the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14 (second case), the control unit 17 determines that the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 may be traveling downhill. , Step S17. On the other hand, when the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is not detected by the vehicle speed detecting unit 14, the control unit 17 determines that the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is traveling on a flat road, and ends the routine shown in FIG. do.

In step S17, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at a second regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment when the input unit 18 accepts an input operation of a user who selects the second regeneration mode.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, in step S21, the same processing as in step S11 of FIG. 4 is executed. If the operation of the brake lever 1d is detected by the brake operation detection unit 15 (first case), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if the operation of the brake lever 1d is not detected by the brake operation detection unit 15, the process proceeds to step S23.
In step S22, similarly to step S12 of FIG. 4, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at the strongest first regeneration degree.

In step S23, as in step S13 of FIG. 4, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1. If the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, when the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is larger than the first threshold value TH1, the routine shown in FIG. 5 is terminated. In another example, step S23 may be omitted.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, in step S24, as in step S14 of FIG. 4, for example, in the control unit 17, whether the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2. Judge whether or not. If the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is larger than the second threshold value TH2, the process proceeds to step S26B. On the other hand, when the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2, the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, as in step S15 of FIG. 4, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14. When the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14 (second case), the process proceeds to step S26A. On the other hand, if the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is not detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14, the process proceeds to step S26B.

In step S26A, for example, the control unit 17 calculates the degree of second regeneration. Then, the process proceeds to step S26B.
In step S26B, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the third threshold value TH3. If the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is larger than the third threshold value TH3, the process proceeds to step S26D. On the other hand, when the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the third threshold value TH3, the process proceeds to step S26C.
In step S26C, for example, the control unit 17 calculates the third degree of regeneration. Then, the process proceeds to step S26D.
In step S26D, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the degree of second regeneration obtained in step S26A is equal to or greater than the degree of third regeneration obtained in step S26C. If the degree of the second regeneration is equal to or higher than the degree of the third regeneration, the process proceeds to step S27. On the other hand, if the degree of second regeneration obtained in step S26A is smaller than the degree of third regeneration obtained in step S26C (in the third case), the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S27, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at a second regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree.

In step S28, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at a third regeneration degree weaker than the second regeneration degree.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle speed is not considered in order to determine that the third case is applicable in step S26D, but in another example, the vehicle speed is considered in order to determine that the third case is applicable in step S26D. You may. In this example, when the vehicle speed V detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14 is larger than the fourth threshold value TH4 (for example, the vehicle speed required for stable running), it is determined in step S26D that the third case is applicable.

As described above, in the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment, when the user selects the first regeneration mode, the user who does not want the regeneration by the motor 11 reversely rotates the pedal 1e or inputs the pedal 1e. When the pedal 1e is rotated forward to the extent that torque is not generated and the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e is larger than the second threshold value TH2, NO is determined in step S14 of FIG. As a result, step S17 is not executed in the process shown in FIG.
Therefore, according to the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment, although the user does not want the regeneration by the motor 11, the regeneration by the motor 11 is performed and the vehicle speed is lowered, and the user feels stress. It is possible to suppress the risk of this.
That is, according to the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment, the second regeneration mode (process shown in FIG. 4) is more likely to be regenerated than the first regeneration mode (process shown in FIG. 4) while suppressing the possibility that the user feels stress. The regeneration rate can be improved by selecting the process shown in FIG. 5).

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment will be described.
The electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described later. Therefore, according to the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment described above can be obtained except for the points described later.

As described above, in the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the first embodiment, the mode switching unit 17A switches the regeneration mode between the first regeneration mode and the second regeneration mode.
On the other hand, in the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, the strong regeneration mode in which the degree of regeneration in the third case is set to the degree of third regeneration and the degree of regeneration in the third case are weaker than the degree of third regeneration. The weak regeneration mode set to the fourth regeneration degree is included in the second regeneration mode. Further, the mode switching unit 17A switches the regeneration mode between the first regeneration mode, the strong regeneration mode, and the weak regeneration mode.
Specifically, in the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, the regeneration degree changing unit 17B sets the regeneration degree of the motor 11 to the first regeneration degree in the first case. Further, the regeneration degree changing unit 17B sets the regeneration degree of the motor 11 to the second regeneration degree in the second case. Further, the regeneration degree changing unit 17B sets the regeneration degree of the motor 11 to a third regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree and stronger than the fourth regeneration degree in the third case of the strong regeneration mode. Further, the regeneration degree changing unit 17B sets the regeneration degree of the motor 11 to the fourth regeneration degree in the third case of the weak regeneration mode.

In the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, when the input unit 18 accepts the input operation of the user who selects the first regeneration mode, the same process as the process shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

In the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, when the input unit 18 receives an input operation of the user who selects the strong regeneration mode, a process substantially similar to the process shown in FIG. 5 is executed.
Specifically, in the electrically assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, when the input unit 18 accepts the input operation of the user who selects the strong regeneration mode, the third is weaker than the first regeneration degree in step S28 of FIG. Regeneration is performed by the motor 11 according to the degree of regeneration.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed by the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment when the input unit 18 accepts the input operation of the user who selects the weak regeneration mode.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, in step S31, the same processing as in step S11 of FIG. 4 is executed. If the operation of the brake lever 1d is detected by the brake operation detection unit 15 (first case), the process proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, if the operation of the brake lever 1d is not detected by the brake operation detection unit 15, the process proceeds to step S33.
In step S32, similarly to step S12 of FIG. 4, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at the strongest first regeneration degree.

In step S33, as in step S13 of FIG. 4, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1. If the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is equal to or less than the first threshold value TH1, the process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, when the input torque TR detected by the input torque detection unit 13 is larger than the first threshold value TH1, the routine shown in FIG. 6 is terminated. In another example, step S33 may be omitted.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, in step S34, as in step S14 of FIG. 4, for example, in the control unit 17, whether the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2. Judge whether or not. If the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is larger than the second threshold value TH2, the process proceeds to step S36B. On the other hand, when the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the second threshold value TH2, the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, as in step S15 of FIG. 4, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14. When the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14 (second case), the process proceeds to step S36A. On the other hand, if the increase in the vehicle speed of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 is not detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 14, the process proceeds to step S36B.

In step S36A, for example, the control unit 17 calculates the degree of second regeneration in the same manner as in step S26A of FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S36B.
In step S36B, as in step S26B of FIG. 5, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the third threshold value TH3. If the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is larger than the third threshold value TH3, the process proceeds to step S36D. On the other hand, when the rotation speed P of the pedal 1e detected by the pedal rotation detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the third threshold value TH3, the process proceeds to step S36C.
In step S36C, for example, the control unit 17 calculates the fourth regeneration degree. Then, the process proceeds to step S36D.
In step S36D, for example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the degree of second regeneration obtained in step S36A is equal to or greater than the degree of fourth regeneration obtained in step S36C. If the degree of the second regeneration is equal to or higher than the degree of the fourth regeneration, the process proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, if the degree of second regeneration obtained in step S36A is smaller than the degree of fourth regeneration obtained in step S36C (in the third case), the process proceeds to step S38.

In step S37, similarly to step S27 of FIG. 5, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at a second regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree.

In step S38, the control unit 17 controls the motor 11 to regenerate at a fourth regeneration degree, which is weaker than the third regeneration degree.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, the magnitude of the first regeneration degree, the magnitude of the second regeneration degree, the magnitude of the third regeneration degree, and the first Although the magnitude of the fourth degree of regeneration is fixed, in another example of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 of the second embodiment, the magnitude of the first degree of regeneration, the second, according to the user's input operation to the input unit 18. The magnitude of the degree of regeneration, the magnitude of the third degree of regeneration, and / or the magnitude of the fourth degree of regeneration may be fine-tuned.

By recording a program for realizing all or part of the functions of the electrically power assisted bicycle 1 on a computer-readable recording medium, the computer system reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and executes the program. Each part may be processed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" includes a homepage providing environment (or a display environment) if a WWW system is used.

Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a communication line for transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and dynamically holds the program for a short period of time. In that case, it also includes the one that holds the program for a certain period of time, such as the volatile memory inside the computer system that is the server or client. Further, the above-mentioned program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be a program for realizing the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiment with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined.

1 ... Electric assisted bicycle, 1a ... Front wheel, 1b ... Rear wheel, 1c ... Handle, 1d ... Brake lever, 1e ... Pedal, 1f ... Saddle, 1g ... Crank, 11 ... Motor, 12 ... Battery, 13 ... Input torque detector , 14 ... Vehicle speed detection unit, 15 ... Brake operation detection unit, 16 ... Pedal rotation detection unit, 17 ... Control unit, 17A ... Mode switching unit, 17B ... Regeneration degree change unit, 18 ... Input unit

Claims (4)

With the front wheels
With the rear wheels
Brake lever and
A pedal to which the pedaling force that drives the rear wheels is applied, and
A motor that drives the front wheels or the rear wheels according to the pedaling force applied to the pedals.
A battery that stores the electric power regenerated by the motor,
Vehicle speed detector that detects vehicle speed and
A brake operation detection unit that detects the operation of the brake lever,
An electrically assisted bicycle including a pedal rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the pedal.
In the first case where the operation of the brake lever is detected by the brake operation detection unit, the motor regenerates at the first regeneration degree, the vehicle speed detection unit detects an increase in the vehicle speed, and the pedal rotation. In the second case where the rotation speed of the pedal detected by the detection unit is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the first regeneration mode in which the motor regenerates at a second regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree.
In the first case, the motor regenerates at the first regeneration degree, and in the second case, the motor regenerates at the second regeneration degree, and the pedal is detected by the pedal rotation detection unit. Further, a control unit for switching from the second regeneration mode in which the motor regenerates at a regeneration degree weaker than the first regeneration degree in the third case where the rotation speed is equal to or less than the third threshold is provided .
The control unit includes a regeneration degree changing unit that changes the regeneration degree in the third case.
The second regeneration mode is
A strong regeneration mode in which the degree of regeneration in the third case is set to a degree of third regeneration weaker than the degree of first regeneration, and
The weak regeneration mode in which the degree of regeneration in the third case is set to a degree of fourth regeneration weaker than the degree of third regeneration is included.
Electric assisted bicycle. The regeneration degree changing unit sets the second regeneration degree to a stronger regeneration degree than the third regeneration degree.
The electrically power assisted bicycle according to claim 1. An input unit that accepts an input operation for selecting one of the first regeneration mode, the weak regeneration mode, and the strong regeneration mode is further provided.
The input unit accepts the input operation when the vehicle speed is zero.
The electrically power assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2. The third case is a case where the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit is larger than the fourth threshold value.
The electrically power assisted bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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