JP7403071B2 - Bicycle components and bicycles - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bicycle component and a bicycle equipped with the same.

In recent years, motors that are supplied with power from a power storage device such as a battery have been developed, and a torque sensor detects the human power driving force from the pedal force applied to the pedals, and then applies an auxiliary driving force (assist force) to the motor corresponding to the human power driving force. An electric bicycle that can be easily ridden uphill is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP2009-208710A

In recent years, there has been a demand for detecting the current status of a bicycle. The current status of the bicycle includes, for example, driver presence detection, driver weight detection, frame stress detection, pedaling detection, frame life estimation, road surface condition detection, push force detection on the handlebar, brake detection, baggage detection, passenger riding. Examples include detecting the presence or absence of a passenger and detecting the weight of a fellow passenger. The reality is that if a bicycle is equipped with a dedicated sensor for each detection, the mechanical and electrical structure will become complicated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle that can detect the current situation of the bicycle while suppressing the complexity of the structure.

In order to solve the above problems, a bicycle component that is attached to a bicycle frame includes a case connected to the frame, and a bicycle component that is attached to the case to prevent fluctuations transmitted from the frame to the case and the fluctuations of the frame. and a sensor section that detects at least one of the two.

Further, a bicycle according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned bicycle component.

According to the present invention, the current situation of the bicycle can be detected while suppressing the complexity of the structure of the bicycle.

FIG. 1 is an overall side view of an electric bicycle according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of the electric bicycle according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an assembly structure of a motor unit and a frame according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an exploded state of the motor unit and frame according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a motor unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sensor section according to an embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the electric bicycle based on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail using drawing. It should be noted that the embodiments described below each represent a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection forms of the components shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims representing the most significant concept of the present invention will be explained as arbitrary constituent elements.

Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Therefore, for example, the scales and the like in each figure do not necessarily match. Further, in each figure, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations will be omitted or simplified.

In the following description, the left-right direction and the front-back direction refer to the direction when the driver is riding on the electric bicycle 1 facing the direction of travel.

[composition]
FIG. 1 is an overall side view of an electric bicycle 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the electric bicycle 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric bicycle 1 includes a frame 2, a front wheel 3, a rear wheel 4, a handle 5, a saddle 6, a crank 7, pedals 8, a motor unit 20, and a battery. 12, a sprocket 13, a rear sprocket 14, a chain 15, a chain cover 17, and a stand 16.

The frame 2 is a frame formed of metal, and includes a head pipe 2a, a front fork 2b, a main pipe 2c, a vertical pipe 2d, a chain stay 2e, a seat stay 2f, and the like.

The front wheel 3 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the front fork 2b. The rear wheel 4 is rotatably attached to the rear end of the chainstay 2e. The handle 5 is a part for changing the direction of the front wheel 3, and is connected to the head pipe 2a. Attached to the handle 5 are a brake lever 55 for operating the brakes, a hand-held operation unit (not shown) that can be operated by a driver, and the like. The saddle 6 is attached to the vertical pipe 2d.

The crank 7 includes crank arms 7b provided on the left and right sides, and a crank shaft 7a that connects the left and right crank arms 7b. A pedal 8 is attached to each crank arm 7b. A human power driving force consisting of pedal force is applied to the pedal 8.

The motor unit 20 is an example of a bicycle component attached to the electric bicycle 1. The motor unit 20 includes an electric motor 21 (see FIG. 3) as a drive source that generates auxiliary driving force (assist force), and a control section 24 (see FIG. 3) that performs various electrical controls including the motor 21. ) etc. are provided. Details of the motor unit 20 will be described later.

The battery 12 is a condenser that supplies driving power to the motor 21. Examples of the power storage device include a secondary battery, a capacitor, and the like.

The sprocket 13 is a driving force output wheel that is attached to the crankshaft 7a so as to coaxially rotate integrally with the crankshaft 7a, and outputs human power driving force. The sprocket 13 is also called a front sprocket, crank sprocket, or front gear. The rear sprocket 14 is a rear wheel body attached to the hub 9 of the rear wheel 4. The rear sprocket 14 may also be referred to as a rear gear.

In addition to the sprocket 13, the electric bicycle 1 is provided with an auxiliary driving force output sprocket 29 that outputs auxiliary driving force from the motor 21. This auxiliary driving force output sprocket 29 is connected to a two-shaft motor unit 20. In this embodiment, the auxiliary driving force of the motor 21 is output from the auxiliary driving force output sprocket 29 via a deceleration mechanism (not shown), and the auxiliary driving force is combined by the chain 15 and transmitted to the rear wheel 4. .

The chain 15 is an endless driving force transmitting body that is rotatably wound around the sprocket 13, the rear sprocket 14, and the auxiliary driving force output sprocket 29. The chain cover 17 is a cover that covers the chain 15 and the like from the side.

The electric bicycle 1 has a motor unit 20 disposed at an intermediate position between the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 (more specifically, below the intermediate position), such as approximately behind the crankshaft 7a. With this arrangement, the motor unit 20, which is relatively heavy, is arranged at the center of the electric bicycle 1 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 can be easily lifted, and even if there is a step on the road, it can be easily climbed over, and the body (frame 2, etc.) of the electric bicycle 1 can be easily maneuvered, and the riding stability is improved. will also be good.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an assembly structure of the motor unit 20 and frame 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an exploded state of the motor unit 20 and frame 2 according to the embodiment. In FIGS. 3 and 4, only a part of the main pipe 2c and the vertical pipe 2d are shown. Further, in FIGS. 3 and 4, illustration of a shaft body that transmits power to the auxiliary driving force output sprocket 29 is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a flange portion 50 fixed to the main pipe 2c and the vertical pipe 2d is provided at the lower center of the frame 2. The flange portion 50 includes a front flange 51 and a rear flange 52.

The front flange 51 is disposed further forward than the rear flange 52 and is fixed near the rear end of the main pipe 2c. The front flange 51 has a pair of left and right plate-shaped portions, and covers the front end portion of the motor unit 20 with the pair of plate-shaped portions.

The rear flange 52 is arranged rearward than the front flange 51 and is fixed near the lower end of the vertical pipe 2d. The rear flange 52 has a pair of left and right plate-shaped portions, and the upper end portion of the motor unit 20 is covered by the pair of plate-shaped portions.

Next, the motor unit 20 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the motor unit 20 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the motor unit 20 includes a case 22, a motor 21, a sensor section 60, and a control section 24.

The case 22 is constructed by assembling a pair of left and right case bodies that house the motor 21, the control unit 24, and the like. A crankshaft 7a passes through the front part of the case 22 from side to side.

The case 22 is provided with a front mounting portion 221 that is attached to the front flange 51 at a location corresponding to the front of the crankshaft 7a. The front mounting portion 221 is provided on each of the pair of left and right case bodies. The front mounting portion 221 and the front flange 51 are connected to each other by fastening with a fastener such as a screw or a rivet.

The upper part of the case 22 is provided with a rear attachment part 222 that is attached to the rear flange 52. The rear attachment portions 222 are provided on each of the left and right pair of case bodies. The rear mounting portion 222 and the rear flange 52 are connected to each other by fastening with a fastener such as a screw or a rivet.

In this way, in the case 22, the front mounting part 221 and the front flange 51 are connected, and the rear mounting part 222 and the rear flange 52 are connected, so that the case 22 is moved in conjunction with the movement of the frame 2. is also beginning to change.

Here, the sensor section 60 is attached to the case 22 between the front attachment section 221 and the rear attachment section 222. Specifically, the front part of the sensor part 60 is held between the front part mounting parts 221 of each of the pair of left and right case bodies, and the rear part of the sensor part 60 is held by the rear part mounting part 222 of each of the pair of left and right case bodies. It is being pinched. Therefore, fluctuations in the frame 2 are also transmitted to the sensor section 60.

Next, the sensor section 60 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the sensor section 60 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor section 60 includes a base 61 and a strain sensor 62. At least one strain sensor 62 may be provided. The base 61 is a long rod-shaped body and includes a pair of connecting parts (a front connecting part 611 and a rear connecting part 612) connected to the case 22 and the frame 2, respectively.

Specifically, the front end of the base 61 is provided with a front connection part 611 that is connected to the front flange 51 together with the front attachment part 221, and is connected to the rear flange 52 together with the rear attachment part 222. A rear connecting portion 612 is provided. The front connecting portion 611 and the rear connecting portion 612 each have through holes 613 and 614 through which fasteners are inserted.

Further, in the base 61, an intermediate portion between the front connecting portion 611 and the rear connecting portion 612 has a thin portion 615 that is thinner than other portions. The thin portion 615 is thinner than other portions, and is therefore a portion where stress on the base 61 is concentrated. Further, since the thin wall portion 615 is thinner than other portions, it is also a portion that is easily distorted. Therefore, the thin portion 615 is a portion where fluctuations transmitted from the frame 2 and the case 22 to the base 61 appear conspicuously.

The strain sensor 62 is attached to the surface of the thin portion 615 of the base 61. The strain sensor 62 is a sheet-shaped strain sensor that detects strain occurring in the thin portion 615. The strain sensor 62 is electrically connected to the control unit 24 via wiring (not shown). The control unit 24 performs various controls based on the detection results received from the strain sensor 62. For example, the control unit 24 can estimate the current situation of the electric bicycle 1 based on the detection result. The central lower part of the frame 2, specifically, the connection position between the main pipe 2c and the vertical pipe 2d is a location where the load on the electric bicycle 1 is concentrated. In other words, the state of the electric bicycle 1 tends to appear as a fluctuation in the motor unit 20 provided near the location. Through extensive research by the inventors, it has been discovered that multiple types of situations of the electric bicycle 1 can be estimated by analyzing fluctuations in the motor unit 20. Specifically, by analyzing the distortion of the base 61 detected by the distortion sensor 62, it is possible to estimate multiple types of situations of the electric bicycle 1. That is, if the control unit 24 is made to record in advance an analysis program based on the detection results of the strain sensor 62, multiple types of current conditions of the electric bicycle 1 can be detected. The current status of the electric bicycle 1 includes, for example, driver presence detection, driver weight detection, stress detection of the frame 2, pedaling detection, frame 2 life estimation, road surface condition detection, push force detection on the handlebar 5, and brake detection. , luggage detection, passenger presence detection, passenger weight detection, etc. Detecting the presence of a driver means detecting whether or not a driver is in the vehicle. Detecting the weight of the driver means detecting the weight of the driver riding the vehicle. Detecting stress on the frame 2 means detecting stress acting on the frame 2. Pedaling detection means detecting the rotational force on the pedals 8. Estimating the lifespan of frame 2 means detecting the lifespan of frame 2. Road surface condition detection refers to detecting uneven conditions such as steps on the road surface, slope conditions, and the like. Detecting a pushing force on the handle 5 means detecting a pushing force acting on the handle 5 from the driver. Brake detection means detecting whether or not the brake is operating. Luggage detection means detecting whether or not a load is placed on the frame 2. Detecting the presence or absence of a fellow passenger means detecting whether or not a fellow passenger is in the vehicle. Detecting the weight of a fellow passenger means detecting the weight of a fellow passenger riding in the vehicle.

This allows the control unit 24 to control the auxiliary driving force appropriately for the current situation. Moreover, if the control unit 24 can detect multiple types of current conditions of the electric bicycle 1, it can acquire a history for each type, and thus can acquire more diverse data. Based on the various acquired data, the accuracy of life estimation and failure estimation of the electric bicycle 1 can also be improved.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is a motor unit 20 attached to the frame 2, a case 22 connected to the frame 2, and a pair of crank arms 7b housed in the case 22. A motor 21 for adding auxiliary driving force to the human power driving force due to the pedal force from each pedal 8, and a motor 21 attached to the case 22 to at least one of the fluctuation transmitted from the frame 2 to the case 22 and the fluctuation of the frame 2. A sensor unit 60 that detects.

The electric bicycle 1 also includes the motor unit 20 described above.

According to this, the sensor unit 60 attached to the case 22 detects at least one of the fluctuations transmitted from the frame 2 to the case 22 and the fluctuations of the frame 2, so that the electric bicycle 1 is adjusted based on the detection result. Multiple types of situations can be estimated. If it is possible to estimate a plurality of types of situations of the electric bicycle 1 using one sensor unit 60 in this way, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the structure since there is no need for a sensor dedicated to each type.

Further, the sensor section 60 includes a base 61 connected to the case 22 and the frame 2, and a strain sensor 62 that detects fluctuations transmitted from the case 22 and the frame 2 to the base 61.

According to this, distortion appearing as a fluctuation of the base 61 can be detected by the strain sensor 62. That is, since the fluctuation of the frame 2 can be indirectly detected as the distortion of the base 61, the fluctuation of the frame 2 can be indirectly detected by the structure in which the sensor section 60 is attached to the case 22.

The base 61 also includes a pair of connecting parts (a front connecting part 611 and a rear connecting part 612) connected to the case 22 and the frame 2, respectively, and a thin wall that is thinner than other parts between the pair of connecting parts. 615, and the strain sensor 62 is attached to the thin portion 615.

According to this, since the strain sensor 62 is attached to the thin wall portion 615, which is a part where fluctuations transmitted from the frame 2 and the case 22 to the base 61 appear conspicuously, the distortion of the base 61 can be more reliably corrected. It can be detected by the sensor 62.

Further, the motor unit 20 is housed in a case 22 and includes a control section 24 that controls the motor 21 and receives the detection result of the sensor section 60.

According to this, the control section 24 housed in the case 22 and the sensor section 60 are electrically connected, so that the wiring structure can be simplified. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the complexity of the structure.

[others]
Although the electric bicycle according to the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the sensor section 60 including the strain sensor 62 is illustrated. However, the sensor section may be of any type as long as it is attached to the case and detects at least one of the fluctuations transmitted from the frame to the case and the fluctuations of the frame. When attached to the case, the sensor section may be installed inside or outside the case. When the sensor section is attached inside the case, electrical connection between the sensor section and the control section can be simplified. Examples of other sensor sections include a sensor section having a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, an optical fluctuation sensor, and the like. Further, the sensor section may include a plurality of sensors of the same type or sensors of different types. By comprehensively analyzing the detection results of multiple sensors, the situation of the electric bicycle can be estimated more accurately. For example, in the case of a sensor unit including a plurality of strain sensors, each strain sensor may be installed so as to detect strain in different directions.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electric bicycle 1 has been described as an example, but the electric bicycle 1 may be a simple bicycle that does not generate auxiliary driving force.

Further, in the above embodiment, the motor unit 20 is illustrated as an example of a bicycle component, but any component other than the motor unit may be used as long as it is a component that can be attached to a bicycle. Other bicycle components include bicycle accessories, child seats, cycle computers, key locks, etc. It may also be a dedicated component for detecting at least one of frame-to-case variations and frame variations.

In addition, forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that those skilled in the art can think of, or by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The form is also included in the present invention.

1 Electric bicycle 2 Frame 7b Crank arm 8 Pedal 20 Motor unit 21 Motor 22 Case 24 Control section 60 Sensor section 61 Base 62 Strain sensor 611 Front connection section (connection section)
612 Rear connecting part (connecting part)
615 Thin wall part

Claims (6)

A bicycle component that is attached to a bicycle frame,
a case connected to the frame;
a sensor unit that is attached to the case and detects at least one of fluctuations transmitted from the frame to the case and fluctuations of the frame;
Equipped with
The sensor unit includes a base connected to the case and the frame;
a sensor that detects fluctuations transmitted from the case and the frame to the base;
The base has a pair of connecting parts each connected to both the case and the frame,
The sensor is attached between the pair of coupling parts. The bicycle component. The bicycle component according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a strain sensor. The base is
having a thinner part between the pair of connecting parts than other parts;
The bicycle component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is attached to the thin wall portion. The bicycle component includes:
A motor unit for an electric bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the motor unit is housed in the case and has a motor for adding an auxiliary driving force to a human-powered driving force generated by pedaling force from each pedal of a pair of crank arms. The bicycle component described in item 1. The bicycle component includes:
The bicycle component according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit housed in the case to control the motor and receive detection results from the sensor unit. A bicycle comprising the bicycle component according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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