JP7466094B2 - Electrically assisted bicycles - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an electrically assisted bicycle, and in particular to an electrically assisted bicycle that can operate in a mode in which it outputs auxiliary power from a motor to be pushed, or in a mode in which it outputs auxiliary power to be self-propelled.

Patent Document 1 describes an electrically assisted bicycle in which a control lever is placed near a grip attached to the handlebar (handlebar), and the pushing assistance force provided by the electric motor is controlled based on changes in output voltage detected by detecting the amount of displacement of the control lever. The control lever is rotatably mounted above the top end of the handlebar (Figure 4 of Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-95178 A

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the control lever is rotated while the push-walking motor control is executable, the displacement of the control lever is detected by a position sensor, and the driving force of the electric motor or the vehicle speed is increased according to the increase in the displacement. However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the control lever that issues instructions for push-walking control is located above the upper end of the grip attached to the handlebars, it is difficult for the user to operate the control lever while holding the grip attached to the handlebars. As a result, when the user holds the grip and issues an instruction to output auxiliary power for push-walking, the user's fingers and arms are in an unnatural position, making it difficult to continue issuing the instruction for a long time, and the grip may be held with a small gripping force, resulting in instability. This leaves room for improvement in terms of reducing the burden on the user and improving safety. It is also possible for the user to get off the bicycle and output auxiliary power to make the bicycle move by itself, but the same inconvenience occurs when issuing such an instruction.

The purpose of this disclosure is to reduce the burden on the user when implementing a mode in which the motor outputs auxiliary power to push the vehicle or outputs auxiliary power to propel the vehicle independently, while improving safety.

The electrically assisted bicycle, which is one aspect of the present disclosure, is an electrically assisted bicycle that can execute a first mode in which the bicycle travels by adding a first auxiliary power output from a motor according to the magnitude of the pedaling force to the human driving force generated by the pedaling force, and a second mode in which the bicycle is pushed by outputting a second auxiliary power from the motor, or is self-propelled by outputting the second auxiliary power, and is provided with a manual switch for instructing execution of the second mode, the manual switch having an operating part located below the lowest end of the upper edge of a grip attached to the handlebars, and offset toward the saddle from the center line of the grip when viewed from above.

According to the electrically assisted bicycle of the present disclosure, when executing the second mode in which the motor outputs auxiliary power to push the bicycle or outputs auxiliary power to propel the bicycle, the user can easily operate the manual switch with his/her thumb while holding the grip. This reduces the strain on the user's fingers and arms when using the manual switch to command execution of the second mode, making it easier to continue pressing the manual switch for long periods of time. In addition, the user can grip the grip with a stronger and more stable grip, making it easier to hold the bicycle stably and improving safety.

1 is a diagram showing an electrically assisted bicycle according to an embodiment; 1 is a top view of the handle of an electrically assisted bicycle according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a top view of a manual switch attached to one end of a handle in an electrically assisted bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2C is a view of one end of the handle and the manual switch of FIG. 2B as viewed from above on the saddle side. FIG. 4 is a view showing FIG. 3 with the manual switch removed. 1 is a diagram showing an electrically assisted bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above, with the user having dismounted from the bicycle and gripping a grip at one end of the handlebars. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and illustrating a state in which a user presses down an operating portion of the manual switch. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user presses down an operating portion of the manual switch. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration focusing on a control device of an electrically assisted bicycle according to an embodiment. 2B in a power-assisted bicycle according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the electrically assisted bicycle of another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a top view of an electrically assisted bicycle according to another embodiment, showing a state in which a user has dismounted from the bicycle and is gripping a grip at one end of the handlebars. FIG. 2B in a power-assisted bicycle according to another embodiment. FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the power-assisted bicycle of another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a top view of the handle of an electrically assisted bicycle according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a view of an electrically assisted bicycle according to another embodiment, as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 13 .

The electrically assisted bicycle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The materials, shapes and positions described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be changed as appropriate according to the specifications of the electrically assisted bicycle. In the following explanation, the same reference numerals are used for equivalent elements in all drawings. Furthermore, in the explanations in the main text, the reference numerals previously mentioned will be used as necessary.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an electrically assisted bicycle 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the electrically assisted bicycle according to the present disclosure is not limited to a city bicycle as exemplified in Figure 1, and may be, for example, a sports bicycle, a folding bicycle, etc. In the following explanation, up and down, left and right, and front and back respectively refer to up and down, left and right, and front and back in the normal state of use, that is, when the bicycle is upright in the same position as when riding straight ahead. For example, up means the vertically upward side in the same position as when riding straight ahead.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrically assisted bicycle 1 is a bicycle that can execute a first mode as an assist mode when the pedal 7 is depressed, and a second mode in which the motor 21 (FIG. 8) outputs auxiliary power to run the bicycle without the user riding the bicycle. In the "first mode," the bicycle runs by adding a first auxiliary power output from the motor 21 according to the magnitude of the pedaling force to the human-powered driving force generated by the pedaling force on the pedal 7. The "second mode" is a "push-walking mode" or a "self-propelled mode." In the "push-walking mode," a second auxiliary power from the motor 21 is added to the body of the electrically assisted bicycle 1 when a person (user) pushes the electrically assisted bicycle 1 and walks. The push-walking mode is executed when a person is not riding the electrically assisted bicycle 1 and is walking while pushing the body of the electrically assisted bicycle 1. In the "self-propelled mode," the electrically assisted bicycle 1 is self-propelled by adding a second auxiliary power from the motor 21 to the body of the electrically assisted bicycle 1 while the electrically assisted bicycle 1 is supported by a person. Like the push-walking mode, the self-propelled mode is executed when a person is not riding the power-assisted bicycle 1 and is walking while supporting the body of the power-assisted bicycle 1. In the self-propelled mode, the person is not exerting any force pushing the body forward. A sensor provided on the grip 4a (FIG. 2) or the like may detect the force applied to the front of the bicycle, and the "push-walking mode" and the "self-propelled mode" may be distinguished from each other based on the magnitude of the force. The second mode may be executed without distinguishing between the "push-walking mode" and the "self-propelled mode". As will be described later, the power-assisted bicycle 1 of the embodiment is provided with a manual switch 25 (FIGS. 2 and 3) near the grip 4a for instructing the execution of the second mode.

The electrically assisted bicycle 1 includes a frame 2, a front wheel 3a, a rear wheel 3b, a handlebar 4, a saddle 5, a crank arm 6, pedals 7, a battery unit 10, and a motor unit 20. When the first mode is executed, the electrically assisted bicycle 1 assists the force (push force) applied by the user to the pedals 7 with the motor 21 (FIG. 3) of the motor unit 20. In this embodiment, the push force of the pedals 7 and the output of the motor 21 are transmitted to the rear wheel 3b via the chain 8.

The frame 2 connects the front wheel 3a, rear wheel 3b, handlebars 4, saddle 5, etc., and supports the battery unit 10 and motor unit 20. The frame 2 is composed of multiple pipes. In this embodiment, the multiple pipes include a head pipe 2a, a front fork 2b, a down pipe 2c, a seat pipe 2d, a chain stay 2e, a seat stay 2f, and a bottom bracket (not shown). The bottom bracket is a pipe that connects the down pipe 2c, the seat pipe 2d, and the chain stay 2e.

A steering column 12 is connected to the lower end of the handlebars 4 via a stem 11. The steering column 12 is rotatably inserted inside the head pipe 2a, and a front fork 2b is supported at the lower end of the steering column 12. The front fork 2b has a pair of legs that rotatably support the front wheel 3a.

The down pipe 2c is a pipe that connects the head pipe 2a and the bottom bracket. The down pipe 2c is inclined so that it is positioned higher the closer it is to the front of the electric assisted bicycle 1. The seat pipe 2d is a pipe that holds the saddle 5. The saddle 5 is a member on which the user sits. In this embodiment, the battery unit 10 is attached to the seat pipe 2d, and the motor unit 20 is attached to the bottom bracket.

The chain stays 2e are pipes that connect the seat stays 2f and the bottom bracket. Like the chain stays 2e, the seat stays 2f are provided on either side of the rear wheel 3b. The rear wheel 3b is rotatably supported at the rear end of the chain stays 2e.

The electrically assisted bicycle 1 includes an input shaft (not shown) to which one end of the crank arm 6 is attached, a drive sprocket that rotates with the rotation of the input shaft, and a rear wheel sprocket attached to the rear wheel 3b (all not shown), with the drive sprocket and rear wheel sprocket connected via a chain 8. The pedals 7 attached to the crank arm 6 and other parts are provided on each side of the electrically assisted bicycle 1, and one end of each of the pair of crank arms 6 is connected to each other via the input shaft. In this embodiment, the power output by the motor 21 is transmitted to the drive sprocket via a reduction gear or the like, and is transmitted to the rear wheel 3b via the chain 8.

The battery unit 10 is a power supply device that supplies power to at least the motor unit 20. The battery unit 10 may also be configured to supply power to devices other than the motor unit 20, such as the headlight 9.

The motor unit 20 is a drive unit that assists the pedaling force of the pedal 7. The output of the motor unit 20 is controlled to drive the motor 21, for example, based on the pedaling force, which is the torque acting on the input shaft, and the number of rotations per unit time of the input shaft. The driving of the motor 21 is controlled by a control device 40 (FIG. 8) described later. At least a portion of the control device 40 may be housed together with the motor 21 (FIG. 8) in the housing of the motor unit 20, and may be unitized with the motor 21.

Figure 2A is a view of the handle 4 from above in the embodiment. Figure 2B is a view of the manual switch 25 attached to one end of the handle 4 from above. Figure 3 is a view of one end of the handle 4 and the manual switch 25 in Figure 2B from above on the rear side. Figure 4 is a view of Figure 3 with the manual switch 25 removed.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the grip 4a and the brake lever devices 14, 15 are attached to both ends of the handlebar 4. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the handlebar 4 is viewed from one side in the left-right direction, both left-right sides extend upward from the stem 11 and are bent at approximately right angles toward the rear at the tip side, and when viewed from above as shown in FIG. 2A, the handlebar is an up-type handlebar in which the handlebar is U-shaped and both left-right sides are inclined toward the outer left-right ends. The grip 4a is the part that the user holds with the hand when riding. The grip 4a is also used as the part that the user holds when the user gets off the bicycle and pushes it. The brake lever device 14 on one side (left side of FIG. 2A) is operated to drive the brake device attached to the rear wheel 3b. The brake lever device 15 on the other side (right side of FIG. 2A) is operated to drive the brake device attached to the front wheel 3a. As shown in FIG. 4, the brake lever device 14 on one side includes a ring portion 14a that is attached to the handlebar 4 so as to fit in a position different from the mounting portion of the grip 4a, a lever support portion 14b that extends outward from a circumferential portion of the ring portion 14a, and a lever body 14c that is rotatably supported by the lever support portion 14b. The ring portion 14a may be formed by two semicircular portions in a member in which two lever support elements having semicircular portions are combined and fixed with screws or the like. The brake lever device 15 on the other side is similar to the brake lever device 14 on one side, except that the orientation is different.

As shown in Figs. 2B and 3, a manual switch 25 is attached to one end of the handle 4 between the grip 4a and the ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14. The manual switch 25 accepts a user's operation to execute the second mode, which is the "push-walking mode" or the "self-propelled mode". Thus, the manual switch 25 is used to instruct the execution of the second mode.

The manual switch 25 is a push button type, and includes a case 26, an operating unit 27 held by the case 26, and an attachment band 28. The case 26 is a substantially cubic box-like shape made of resin, metal, or the like. The operating unit 27 is cylindrical and protrudes from a circular hole formed at the upper end of the case 26. It is biased by a spring (not shown) so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the case 26, and is held by the case 26 so as to be able to be pressed down. As a result, the operation direction of the manual switch 25 is a downward pressing direction. The manual switch 25 is, for example, a momentary switch, and only when the operating unit 27 is pressed down by the user, it continues to output a second mode on signal to the control device 40 (FIG. 8) for executing the second mode. For this reason, the manual switch 25 and the control device 40 are connected to be able to communicate with each other by a signal line 29. When the operating unit 27 is not pressed down, the manual switch 25 does not output the second mode on signal to the control device 40.

The mounting band 28 has a ring portion 28a formed integrally with the case 26 on the outside of the case 26. The ring portion 28a is attached between the grip 4a and the ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14 at one end of the handle 4. The ring portion 14a is formed of metal, resin, or the like. The ring portions 14a and 28a may be annular portions formed by two semicircular portions in a state in which two ring elements having semicircular portions are integrally joined. The ring portions 14a and 28a may be completely annular, but do not have to be completely annular. For example, arc-shaped portions may be formed on two locking arms formed on the outside of the case 26, and the two arc-shaped portions may be fitted to the handle 4, forming a gap between the tips of the two arc-shaped portions. At this time, the ring portion 28a of the mounting band 28 is formed by the two arc-shaped portions.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the case 26 and the ring portion 28a are viewed from above, i.e., viewed from above the case 26 and the ring portion 28a, the case 26 is disposed on the right rear side, which is the saddle 5 side, of the ring portion 28a. The grip side end G1 of the case 26 is closer to the grip 4a than the grip side end G2 of the ring portion 28a. Only the grip side half (the left half in FIG. 2) of the operating portion 27 is disposed closer to the grip 4a than the grip side end G2 of the ring portion 28a. As a result, the operating portion 27 is disposed at a position offset from the center line L of the grip 4a toward the saddle 5 when viewed from above. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the manual switch 25 is disposed below the lowest end U1 of the upper edge of the grip 4a.

Figure 5 is a top view of the electric-assisted bicycle 1 of the embodiment, in which the user 100 has dismounted and is gripping the grip 4a at one end of the handlebar 4. Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 5, showing the state in which the user 100 has pressed down the operation unit 27 of the manual switch 25. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the state in which the user 100 has pressed down the operation unit 27 of the manual switch 25. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the operation unit 27 is positioned so that it can be pressed by the thumb 101 when the user 100 dismounts from the bicycle to one side in the left-right direction and grips the grip 4a with his/her hand. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the user 100 who has dismounted from the bicycle naturally extends the thumb 101 of one hand as shown in Figure 6 while gripping the grip 4a attached to one end of the handlebar 4 with one hand and gripping the grip (not shown) attached to the other end of the handlebar with the other hand (not shown). In this state, the operation unit 27 is positioned so that it can be pressed by the thumb 101. Therefore, when the user 100 grasps the grip 4a, the operation unit 27 is positioned under the thumb 101, making it easier for the user 100 to operate the operation unit 27 by pressing down with the thumb 101 without having to assume an awkward finger or arm posture.

A signal line 29 is connected to the manual switch 25, and a second mode on signal based on the operation of the manual switch 25 is sent to the control device 40 (Fig. 8). As described below, the control device 40 executes the second mode in response to the input of the second mode on signal. This reduces the force with which the user 100 pushes the bicycle forward when the user 100 gets off the bicycle and walks with it. The manual switch 25 may be provided at the other end of the handlebar 4 (the right end in Fig. 2A).

Using FIG. 8, the configuration centered on the control device 40 for transitioning the power-assisted bicycle 1 to the second mode will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the configuration centered on the control device 40 of the power-assisted bicycle 1 of the embodiment. The motor 21 and the sensor switch group 30 are connected to the control device 40. The control device 40 is, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a processor that executes arithmetic processing, a memory that stores measurement data used in the calculation, the calculation results, the processing program, and the like, and an input/output port. The processor is, for example, a CPU, and has the function of reading and executing the processing program stored in the memory. In general, each function of the control device 40 is realized by executing the processing program. The memory is a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, a volatile memory such as a RAM, and the like. The control device 40 has a function of determining whether the power-assisted bicycle 1 is in a state where it cannot be driven in the first mode, a function of executing the first mode, and a function of executing the second mode.

The output of the motor 21 is controlled by the control device 40 via a drive circuit (not shown) included in the motor unit 20. The motor 21 is, for example, a three-phase brushless DC motor. The motor 21 can have a variety of configurations as long as it is an electric motor driven by power supplied from the battery unit 10.

The sensor switch group 30 includes a pedal force sensor 33, a vehicle speed sensor 34, a crank rotation sensor 35, a saddle position sensor 39, a power switch 37, and a manual switch 25. The pedal force sensor 33 is, for example, a magnetostrictive torque sensor, and detects the human-powered driving force generated by the rotation of the input shaft based on the human-powered driving force, which is the pedal force applied to the pedal. Information indicating the detection value of the pedal force sensor 33 is transmitted to the control device 40.

The vehicle speed sensor 34 is provided, for example, at the lower end of the front fork 2b, and detects the traveling speed of the electrically assisted bicycle 1 from the number of rotations per unit time of the front wheel 3a. Information representing the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 34 is transmitted to the control device 40. The vehicle speed sensor 34 is, for example, a speed sensor such as a wheel sensor. The vehicle speed sensor 34 may be attached to a rotation support part of the rear wheel 3b, and detect the traveling speed of the electrically assisted bicycle 1 from the number of rotations of the rear wheel 3b.

The crank rotation sensor 35 detects the number of rotations per unit time of the input shaft. Information representing the detection value of the crank rotation sensor 35 is transmitted to the control device 40. The crank rotation sensor 35 is configured to include, for example, a gear-shaped rotating body with a light emitting section and a light receiving section on both sides of the body. The saddle position sensor 39 detects when the user 100 gets on, i.e., sits on, the saddle 5. The detection signal of the saddle position sensor 39 is transmitted to the control device 40.

The power switch 37 is a switch that allows the user 100 to start the control device 40. The first mode is executed when the power switch 37 is turned on and the user depresses the pedal 7. For example, the first mode is executed when the user 100 rides the electrically assisted bicycle 1 and depresses the pedal 7, and the pedaling force due to this operation reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. When the first mode is executed, the control device 40 calculates a first auxiliary power to be output from the motor 21 based on the detection value of the pedaling force on the pedal 7 and the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 34, and drives the motor 21 with the calculated first auxiliary power. The control device 40 may also calculate the first auxiliary power based on the detection value of the pedaling force on the pedal 7, the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 34, and the detection value of the crank rotation sensor 35.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the power switch 37 is provided in a part of the hand switch device 36. The hand switch device 36 has the power switch 37, an assist switching section 36a, and a display section 36b. The assist switching section 36a has an UP button and a DOWN button, and can change the ratio of the auxiliary power output by the motor 21 with respect to the pedaling force when the first mode is executed by accepting the operation of the user 100. The display section 36b displays the remaining battery level, the travel distance for which the motor 21 can output auxiliary power, etc. The hand switch device 36 is fixed by fitting or tightening with a ring section 36e (see FIG. 14 described later) at one end of the handlebar 4, at a portion closer to the stem 11 of the bicycle than the ring section 14a of the brake lever device 14.

Furthermore, when the user 100 executes the second mode, with the power switch 37 turned on, the user 100 gets off the bicycle and grasps the grips 4a attached to both ends of the handlebars 4 with both hands, and while grasping the grip 4a with one hand, extends the thumb 101 of one hand as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and operates the operation part 27 of the manual switch 25 by pressing down with the thumb 101. As a result, while the operation part 27 is being pressed, a second mode on signal is output to the control device 40, and the control device 40 generates the output of the motor 21 by inputting the second mode on signal, and executes the second mode. This allows the push walking mode or the self-propelled mode to be executed. The control device 40 may be configured to permit execution of the second mode only when the signal from the saddle position sensor 39 is off, that is, when it is detected that the user 100 is not sitting on the saddle 5. The control device 40 may be configured to not permit execution of the second mode when it detects that the brake lever device 14 has been operated, and to cancel the second mode when it detects that the brake lever device 14 has been operated while the second mode is being executed. In this case, detection of the operation of the brake lever device 14 can be achieved, for example, by providing a displacement sensor that detects the amount of displacement of the lever body 14c and transmits the detection signal to the control device 40.

According to the above-described electrically assisted bicycle 1, when executing the second mode in which the motor 21 outputs auxiliary power to push the bicycle or the bicycle is self-propelled by outputting auxiliary power, the user 100 can easily press the manual switch 25 with the thumb 101 while gripping the grip 4a. This reduces the strain on the user 100's fingers and arms when using the manual switch 25 to command execution of the second mode, making it easier to continue to press the manual switch 25 for long periods of time. In addition, the user 100 can grip the grip 4a with a strong and stable grip, making it easier to hold the bicycle stably and improving safety.

Figure 9 is a view corresponding to Figure 2B of an electrically assisted bicycle 1a of another embodiment. Figure 10 is a view of an electrically assisted bicycle 1a of another embodiment as viewed from the bottom of Figure 9. In the configuration of the other example shown in Figures 9 and 10, the case 26a forming the manual switch 25a is a rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated in the horizontal direction. As shown in Figure 9, when the manual switch 25a is viewed from above, the ring portion 28a is formed so as to extend forward from one end of the manual switch 25a in the longitudinal direction (the right end in Figure 9). The ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14 is fixed at a position facing the base of the grip 4a attached to one end of the handle 4. Furthermore, the ring portion 28a of the manual switch 25a is attached to the ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14 on the opposite side of the grip 4a at one end of the handle 4.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the case 26a and the ring portion 28a are viewed from above, the case 26a extends further toward the tip side of the grip 4a than the ring portion 28a (left side in FIG. 9). As a result, when the case 26a and the ring portion 28a are viewed from above, the overall shape is an inverted L shape in which the straight portion extending in the horizontal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 9) is longer than the straight portion extending in the vertical direction (up-down direction in FIG. 9). Also, as shown in FIG. 10, when the case 26a and the ring portion 28a are viewed from the rear side of the handlebar 4, the overall shape of the case 26a and the ring portion 28a is an inverted L shape in which the straight portion extending in the horizontal direction is longer than the straight portion extending in the vertical direction. The entire operation portion 27 of the manual switch 25a is located on the grip 4a side (left side in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) than the grip side end G2 of the ring portion 28a. As a result, at least a portion of the operating part 27 is disposed on the grip 4a side of the grip side end G3 of the ring part 14a of the brake lever device 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the user 100 executes the second mode, with the power switch 37 on, the user 100 gets off the bicycle, grasps the grips 4a attached to both ends of the handlebars 4 with both hands, extends the thumb 101 of one hand, and uses the thumb 101 to press down the operating part 27 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the manual switch 25 to operate it.

According to the configuration of this example, unlike the configuration of Figures 1 to 8, the ring portion 28a of the manual switch 25a is attached to the ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14 on the opposite side to the grip 4a at one end of the handle 4. This allows the ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14 to be brought closer to the grip 4a, making it easier to bring the tip of the lever body 14c of the brake lever device 14 closer to the tip of the grip 4a. This improves the operability of the brake lever device 14 compared to the configuration of Figures 1 to 8. In addition, there is no need to increase the length of the lever body 14c. Furthermore, since the entire operation portion 27 of the manual switch 25a is disposed closer to the grip 4a than the grip side end G2 of the ring portion 28a, it is possible to prevent the distance La between the operation portion 27 and the base side end of the grip 4a from becoming large. This makes it easier for the thumb 101 to reach the operation portion 27 when the user 100 grips the grip 4a and extends the thumb 101, improving the operability of the operation portion 27. In this example, the other configurations and functions are the same as those in Figures 1 to 8.

Although not shown, in the configuration of Figures 9 to 11, the center of the ring portion 28a of the manual switch 25a and the center of the operating portion 27 may be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the handle 4. In this case, the distance La between the operating portion and the base end of the grip 4a is greater than in the configuration of Figures 9 to 11, and the operability of the operating portion is therefore lower than in the configuration of Figures 9 to 11. However, even in this case, the operability of the operating portion can be improved compared to when the operating portion is located above the top end of the grip 4a or when the operating direction of the operating portion is not a downward pressing direction from top to bottom.

Figure 12A is a view corresponding to Figure 2B of an electrically assisted bicycle of another embodiment. Figure 12B is a view of an electrically assisted bicycle of another embodiment as seen from the bottom of Figure 12A. In the configuration of this example, in the configurations of Figures 1 to 8, the manual switch 25b is integrated with the hand switch device 36. Specifically, in the case 36c of the hand switch device 36, a portion extending from the handlebar 4 toward the saddle side (the bottom side of Figure 12A, the front side of the paper surface of Figure 12B) extends downward from the handlebar 4, forming a lower extension portion 36d (Figure 12B) in the case 36c. Then, the lower end of the lower extension portion 36d extends largely in an elongated rectangular shape toward the grip 4a side (the left side of Figures 12A and 12B) from the top surface including the operating parts such as the power switch 37 and the assist switching part 36a of the hand switch device 36, forming the case 26b of the manual switch 25b. As a result, the case 26b of the manual switch 25b and the case 36c of the hand switch device 36 are formed from a single case. The manual switch 25b and the hand switch device 36 are fixed to one end of the handle 4 by a ring portion 36e (FIG. 12B) provided below the operating portion of the hand switch device 36. The two separate cases of the manual switch and the hand switch device may be integrated by bonding or mechanically joining them by screw connection or the like. In this configuration, the ring portion 36e for fixing the hand switch device 36 to one end of the handle 4 also serves as the ring portion for fixing the manual switch 25b to the handle 4, so there is no need to fix a ring portion used only for fixing the manual switch 25b to the handle 4. In this example, the other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 8.

Figure 13 is a view of the handlebar 38 from above in an electrically assisted bicycle of another embodiment. Figure 14 is a view of an electrically assisted bicycle of another embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A in Figure 13. In the configurations of each of the examples of Figures 1 to 12B, the case where the handlebar 4 is an up-type has been described, but in the configuration of this example, the handlebar 38 is a flat type in which the overall height position is approximately the same, and when viewed from above as in Figure 13, it is approximately linear extending in the left-right direction, and both left-right sides are slightly inclined rearward toward the tip. In this example, as in the configurations of Figures 1 to 8, the ring portion 28a of the manual switch 25c is attached between the grip 4a and the ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14 at one end of the handlebar 38 (the left end in Figure 13). Also, as shown in Figure 14, the case 26c is attached to the ring portion 28a below the handlebar 38. The operating unit 27 is arranged on the rear side of the case 26c, which is the saddle side (the lower side in Figure 13, the front side of the paper in Figure 14). As a result, when the handlebars 38 are viewed from above as in Figure 13, the operating part 27 of the manual switch 25c is positioned at a position offset toward the saddle from the center line L of the grip 4a. Furthermore, this operating part 27 is positioned below the lowest end U1 of the upper edge of the grip 4a attached to one end of the handlebars 38. Furthermore, the operating direction of the operating part 27 is the direction in which the manual switch 25c is pressed from the saddle side (the lower side of Figure 13, the front side of the paper in Figure 14) to the opposite side to the saddle (the upper side of Figure 13, the back side of the paper in Figure 14).

When using a flat handlebar 38 as in this example, if the manual switch 25c is operated in a direction from the saddle side to the opposite side of the saddle, it is easier for the user to press the manual switch 25c with their thumb when executing the second mode, compared to when the manual switch is operated in a direction to be pushed down, particularly in a configuration with a flat handlebar 38. This reduces the strain on the fingers and arms, and makes it easier for the user to hold the bicycle more stably, further improving safety. In this example, the other configurations and functions are the same as those in Figures 1 to 8.

When using a flat handle 38 as in the configuration of this example, a manual switch can be attached to the handle 38 so that the operating direction of the manual switch's operating part is a downward pressing direction from top to bottom.

In the configuration of Figures 13 and 14, the handle 38 is slightly bent when viewed from above, but it may be completely straight. In the flat handle 38 of this example, the ring portion of the manual switch can be attached to the ring portion 14a of the brake lever device 14 on the side opposite the grip 4a, as in the configuration of Figures 9 to 11.

The electrically assisted bicycle disclosed herein is not limited to having either an up-type or flat-type handlebar, but may have, for example, a high-rise type handlebar in which the tips of both left and right sides of the handlebar are positioned even higher than the stem when viewed from above, and both left and right ends are inclined significantly backwards in the left and right direction when viewed from above.

In addition, in the above configurations, the manual switch 25, 25a is a push button type, but the manual switch may be a lever type, and the execution of the second mode may be commanded by rotating the lever body. In this case, too, the operating unit is located below the top end of the grip 4a and offset rearward from the center line of the grip 4a when viewed from above, and the manual switch is operated by pressing downward from the top, or by pressing the manual switch from the saddle side to the opposite side to the saddle. In this case, the operating unit is the lever body that can be operated with the thumb of the hand holding the grip 4a.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1a Electrically assisted bicycle, 2 Frame, 2a Head pipe, 2b Front fork, 2c Down pipe, 2d Seat pipe, 2e Chain stay, 2f Seat stay, 3a Front wheel, 3b Rear wheel, 4 Handle, 4a Grip, 4b Brake lever, 5 Saddle, 5a Locking portion, 5b Locking hole, 6 Crank arm, 7 Pedal, 8 Chain, 9 Headlight, 10 Battery unit, 11 Stem, 12 Steering column, 14 Brake lever device, 14a Ring portion, 14b Lever support portion, 14c Lever body, 15 Brake lever device, 20 Motor unit, 21 Motor, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c Manual switch, 26, 26a, 26b, 26c Case, 27 Operation portion, 28 Mounting band, 29 Signal line, 30 Sensor switch group, 33 Pedal force sensor, 34 Vehicle speed sensor, 35 crank rotation sensor, 36 hand switch device, 36a assist switching section, 36b display section, 36c case, 36d lower extension section, 36e ring section, 37 power switch, 38 handle, 39 saddle position sensor, 100 user, 101 thumb.

Claims (6)

An electrically assisted bicycle capable of operating in a first mode in which a first auxiliary power output from a motor is added to a human driving force generated by a pedaling force according to the magnitude of the pedaling force, and the bicycle is propelled; and a second mode in which a second auxiliary power is output from the motor to push the bicycle or the bicycle is self-propelled by outputting the second auxiliary power,
a brake ring portion which is a ring portion of the brake lever device and which attaches the brake lever device to a handle ;
a manual switch for instructing execution of the second mode;
The manual switch has an operating portion disposed below the lowest end of an upper edge of a grip attached to the handlebar and offset toward the saddle from a center line of the grip as viewed from above,
The manual switch is attached between the grip and the brake ring portion.
Electrically assisted bicycle. The electrically assisted bicycle according to claim 1,
The operation direction of the manual switch is a downward pressing direction or a pressing direction from the saddle side to the opposite side of the saddle with respect to the manual switch.
Electrically assisted bicycle. The electrically assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2,
The manual switch is provided with a mounting band,
The mounting band has a switch ring portion which is a ring portion attached to the handle, and the switch ring portion is attached between the grip and the brake ring portion.
Electrically assisted bicycle. The electrically assisted bicycle according to claim 3,
The manual switch has a case.
The operation unit is held by the case so as to be able to be depressed and to protrude upward from an upper surface of the case,
The switch ring portion is formed integrally with the case on the outer side of the case,
When the case and the switch ring unit are viewed from above, the case is disposed on the saddle side of the switch ring unit,
a grip-side half of the operation portion is disposed on the grip side with respect to an end edge of the switch ring portion that is closest to the grip;
Electrically assisted bicycle. The electrically assisted bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The operation unit is disposed in a position where it can be pressed by the thumb when the user is dismounted from the bicycle and grips the handlebars.
Electrically assisted bicycle. The electrically assisted bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The manual switch is a push button type.
Electrically assisted bicycle.

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