JPH08295281A - Auxiliary power assist device of bicycle therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the appearance of an auxiliary power assist device in smoothing the sidepiece of a casing, preventing any interference with rider's feet and clothes from occurring, and make improvements in the coolability of an electric motor as well as to reduce the number of clamping members, and to aim at an improvement in assembling properties of this auxiliary power assist device and the promotion of lightweightiness plus cost-down. CONSTITUTION: A casing 45 is equipped with a center case 46 to be situated in the center in the car width direction, a side case 47 to be locked to the left of this center case 46, and another side case 48 to be locked to the right, respectively. This side case 47 being clamped to the left of the center case 46 is clamped tight by a clamp member 10 to be inserted into from the right of the center case 46, while the side case 48 to be clamped to the right of the center case 46 is clamped tight by a clamping member 110 to be inserted into from the left of the center case 46. In addition, an electric motor 55 is set up in space between the center case 46 and the side case 48, and the electric motor 55 is jointly tightened to the center case 46 by the clamping member 110 clamping the cater case 46 tight to the side case 48.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an auxiliary power for mounting an electric motor on the body of a bicycle, and assisting the pedaling force of an occupant with the auxiliary power to facilitate uphill running and running while receiving head wind. Regarding assisted bicycles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In such an auxiliary power assist type bicycle, an auxiliary power assist device is mounted on a body frame. This auxiliary power assist device is configured such that, for example, a casing made of an aluminum alloy accommodates devices such as an electric motor, a combination device, and a reduction gear train, and a crankshaft rotatably driven by pedaling force is rotatably supported. Has become. The electric motor generates auxiliary power, and the auxiliary power and the pedaling force applied to the crankshaft are combined by the combination device, and the combined force is output to the drive wheel side. A planetary gear device or a differential device is generally used as the resultant device.

By the way, most of the casings for accommodating these devices are of a split type, and a plurality of case members are fastened and fixed by a large number of bolts or the like. Therefore, a large number of bolt heads are exposed on the side surface of the auxiliary power assist device.

[0004]

However, when a large number of bolt heads are exposed on the side surface of the auxiliary power assist device, not only the appearance of the auxiliary power assist device is significantly deteriorated, but also the pedal is depressed. There is a problem that the occupant's legs, clothes, etc. easily interfere with the protruding head of the bolt.

On the other hand, in order to improve the operation efficiency of the electric motor, the casing is constructed so that the electric motor is partially exposed to the outside, and the wind blown from the front during traveling is positively applied to the electric motor. It is desirable to cool the
In this case, the bolts and the like for fixing the electric motor are also exposed on the side surface of the casing, which promotes the above problems. For this reason, the electric motor is often configured to be sealed in the casing, and there is a problem in cooling the electric motor.

Further, in the conventional casing structure, since a dedicated fastening member for fixing the electric motor is required, the number of fastening members is large and the assemblability is poor, leading to an increase in weight and cost of the auxiliary power assist device. Was there.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and the auxiliary power for smoothing the side surface of the casing to improve the appearance and at the same time preventing the interference with the occupant's feet, clothes and the like. An object is to provide an auxiliary power assist device for an assisted bicycle.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the cooling performance of the electric motor sealed in the casing and to reduce the number of fastening members to improve the assemblability of the auxiliary power assist device. The purpose is to reduce weight and cost.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an auxiliary power assist device for an auxiliary power assist type bicycle according to the present invention has a crankshaft rotatably driven by pedaling force as described in claim 1. An auxiliary power assist device for an auxiliary power assist type bicycle in which a casing, an electric motor that generates auxiliary power, and a resultant device that combines the pedaling force and the auxiliary power and outputs the resultant force to the drive wheels are provided. In the above, the casing includes a center case located at the center in the vehicle width direction, a side case fixed to the left side of the center case, and a side case fixed to the right side of the center case, The side case, which is fixed to the left side of the center case, is fastened and fixed with the fastening member that is inserted from the right side of the center case. And fastened by a fastening member inserted the side case fixed to the side from the left side of the center case.

Further, as described in claim 2, the electric motor is installed between the center case and the side case, and the electric motor is centered by a fastening member for fastening and fixing the side case to the center case. I fastened it to the case together.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the two side cases fixed to the left and right sides of the center case are fastened and fixed by the fastening members from the inside of the casing (center case side). The fastening member is not exposed on the surface of the case, and the side surface of the casing becomes smooth.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the fastening pedestal provided on the electric motor is sandwiched between the center case and the side case and adheres tightly to the casing, the heat of the electric motor causes the fastening pedestal to move. After that, it is released to the casing. Further, since the fastening member that fastens and fixes the side case to the center case is also used as the fastening member of the electric motor, the number of fastening members is reduced.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a left side view of an auxiliary power assisted bicycle according to the present invention.

This auxiliary power assisted bicycle 1 is equipped with a body frame 2 made of, for example, a metal tube, and an auxiliary power assist device 3 is mounted on the lower portion of the body frame 2.

A head pipe 4 is located on the front of the body frame 2, and an upper tube 5 and a lower tube 6 extend rearward and obliquely downward from the head pipe 4.
The middle portion of the upper tube 5 and the vicinity of the rear end portion of the lower tube 6 are connected by a bridge member 7, and the rear end portion of the upper tube 5 is provided with a seat tube 8 provided at an acute angle.
Is joined to the lower end of the sheet via the sheet lug 9.

A pair of left and right joint tubes 11 extend downward from the seat lug 9, the lower end of the joint tube 11 is opened left and right, and a pipe-shaped chain lug 12 extending in the vehicle width direction is fixed. There is. Then, from the chain lug 12, a pair of left and right chain stays 13
Extends rearward.

On the other hand, a pair of left and right seat stays 14 extends obliquely rearward and downward from the vicinity of the upper end of the seat tube 8, and the lower ends of these seat stays 14 are rear ends 15.
It is joined to the rear end of the chain stay 13 via.

Mounting brackets 16, 17, 18 are fixed to the rear end of the lower tube 6, the intermediate portion of the joint tube 11 and the lower portion of the chain lug 12, respectively. The auxiliary power assist device 3 is fixed by bolts. Therefore, the rear end portion of the lower tube 6 is connected to the chain lug 12 via the auxiliary power assist device 3, and the auxiliary power assist device 3 also serves as a structural member of the vehicle body frame 2.

A front fork 19 is pivotally supported on the head pipe 4 so as to be rotatable left and right, and a front wheel 20 is supported on a lower end portion of the front fork 19. A handlebar 22 is fixed to the upper part of the front fork 19 via a handle post 21, and the front fork 19 further includes a front fender 23 for covering the front wheels 20, a front brake 24 for braking the front wheels, a basket 25 for loading luggage, etc. Is integrally provided for rotation.

A rear wheel 26 is pivotally supported by the rear end 15 located at the rear end of the vehicle body frame 2, and a rear fender 27 covering the rear wheel 26 is provided with a chain stay 13 and a seat stay.
A rear brake 28 for braking the rear wheels is provided on the seat stay 14 and is fixed to the rear end 15 and the rear end 15. The rear end 15 has a stand device 29 for erecting the vehicle body when parking the bicycle.
Is provided.

A seat post 31 is inserted into and fixed to the seat tube 8 from above.
A saddle 32 is attached to the upper end of the. On the other hand, a crank shaft 33 extending in the vehicle width direction is rotatably supported by the auxiliary power assist device 3, and the crank 34 is provided at both ends of the crank shaft 33.
L and crank 34R are fixed, both cranks 34L, 34
A pedal 35 is rotatably provided at the tip of each R.

A final drive sprocket 36 located on the right side of the auxiliary power assist device 3 is axially mounted on the crankshaft 33. The final drive sprocket 36 and a final driven sprocket 37 provided on the rear wheel 26 are provided. A chain 38 is wound between them.

The crankshaft 33 is rotationally driven in the forward rotation direction indicated by the arrow F1 when an occupant seated on the saddle 32 depresses the pedal 35 with his / her foot. At that time, the final drive sprocket 36 is moved in the same direction as the crankshaft 33. It rotates and this rotation is made by the chain 38 and the final driven sprocket 37
And the rear wheel 26 is driven.

A battery unit 40 for operating an electric motor incorporated in the auxiliary power assist device 3 is fixed between the upper tube 5 and the lower tube 6 of the vehicle body frame 2. This battery unit 40 is
For example, several small batteries and a charger are sealed in a battery case made of synthetic resin. A control device 41 for controlling the output of the electric motor is attached to the upper part of the auxiliary power assist device 3.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary power assist device 3 showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a III-II line of FIG.
I is a left side view of the auxiliary power assist device 3 as viewed from the arrow. Note that FIG. 2 is developed along the line II-II in FIG.

The casing 45, which forms the outer shell of the auxiliary power assist device 3, is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, and as shown in FIG. 2, a center case 46 located in the approximate center in the vehicle width direction.
And a side case 47 fixed to the left side of the center case 46 and a side case 48 fixed to the right front side of the center case 46.
The control device 41 is fixed to the upper part of the device by two bolts 49. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which the side case 47 is removed.

The crankshaft 33 has a bearing 51 provided in a side case 47 and a bearing 52 provided in a center case 46.
The cranks 34L and 34R are rotatably supported by the rear portion of the casing 45 by means of and, and the cranks 34L and 34R are fixed by bolts 53 to both ends of the crankshaft 33 protruding left and right from the casing 45.

An electric motor chamber 54 is defined between the center case 46 and the side case 48 of the casing 45, and the above-mentioned electric motor 55 is installed therein. The electric motor 55 generates auxiliary power, and its main shaft 56 is parallel to the crankshaft 33.

A roller type planetary speed reduction mechanism 60 is provided on the left side of the electric motor 55. This planetary reduction mechanism
The sun roller 61 of 60 is formed in a shaft shape, the left end thereof is pivotally supported by a bearing 62 provided on the side case 47 side, and the right end thereof is pivotally supported by a bearing 63 provided on the center case 46 side. At the same time, the main shaft 56 of the electric motor 55 is spline-fitted to the left end of the main shaft 56 so as to be integrally connected to rotate.

An annular ring roller 64 is fixed to the center case 46 with bolts 65, and a deceleration carrier 66 is provided on the left side of the ring roller 64 via a bearing 67 and a sun roller 61.
It is rotatably supported around it. The deceleration carrier 66 is provided with four roller shafts 68 parallel to the sun roller 61, and a planet roller 69 is rotatably supported on each of these roller shafts 68. The outer peripheral surfaces of these four planetary rollers 69 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the ring roller 64 and the outer peripheral surface of the sun roller 61. Further, a primary drive gear 70 is provided on the left side surface of the reduction carrier 66 so as to rotate integrally therewith.

When the main shaft 56 of the electric motor 55 rotates, the sun roller 61 of the planetary speed reduction mechanism 60 also rotates together, and each planet roller 69 rotates between the fixed ring roller 64 and the rotating sun roller 61. While revolving around the sun roller 61,
As a result, the deceleration carrier 66 and the primary drive gear 70 are driven to decelerate and rotate. The main shaft 56 and the sun roller 61 are indicated by the arrow F.
As shown by 2, the forward rotation causes the reduction carrier 66 and the primary drive gear 70 to rotate in the same direction.

On the other hand, a reduction shaft 71 is rotatably supported by bearings 72 and 73 diagonally below and in front of the sun roller 61. The central axis of the reduction shaft 71 is parallel to the crankshaft 33,
The reduction shaft 71 is provided with a large-diameter primary driven gear 74 that meshes with the primary drive gear 70 and a small-diameter secondary drive gear 75 located inside the primary driven gear 74 so as to rotate integrally. The reduction shaft 71, the primary driven gear 74, and the secondary drive gear 75 rotate backward as indicated by arrow R1 in FIG.

Further, an intermediate shaft 77 is provided diagonally below the reduction shaft 71.
Are rotatably supported by bearings 78 and 79. This intermediate shaft 77 is also installed in parallel with the crankshaft 33, and
A large-sized secondary driven gear 80 meshing with the secondary drive gear 75 of 71 and an auxiliary power drive sprocket 81 located inside the secondary driven gear 80 are provided integrally with each other. The intermediate shaft 77 rolls forward as shown by the arrow F3. In addition,
Each of the gears 70, 74, 75, 80 described above reduces the speed reduction gear train.
82 are composed.

Further, between the crank shaft 33 and the intermediate shaft 77, a resultant shaft 84 is installed in parallel with both shafts 33, 77.
The resultant shaft 84 is rotatably supported by bearings 85 and 86, and an auxiliary power driven sprocket 87 is axially mounted on a portion on the left side of the shaft via a one-way clutch 88.
A pedal depression driven sprocket 89 is provided integrally with the middle part to rotate, and a resultant drive sprocket is located on the right side.
90 is provided integrally with the rotation.

A chain 92 is wound between the auxiliary power drive sprocket 81 and the auxiliary power driven sprocket 87, and the auxiliary power driven sprocket 87 is indicated by an arrow F4.
Move forward as shown in. The one-way clutch 88 transmits the rotation of the auxiliary power driven sprocket 87 to the resultant force shaft 84, but when the rotation speed of the resultant force shaft 84 exceeds the auxiliary power driven sprocket 87, the auxiliary power driven sprocket 87 is generated.
Then, the resultant shaft 84 is idled with respect to the auxiliary power driven sprocket 87.

A pedal depression force drive sprocket 93 is pivotally supported at an intermediate portion of the crankshaft 33 via a one-way clutch 94, and a resultant driven sprocket 95 is rotated relative to the crankshaft 33 at a portion on the right side of the crankshaft 33. It is provided freely. A chain is installed between the pedal effort drive sprocket 89 and the pedal effort drive sprocket 93.
96 is wound, and a chain 97 is wound between the resultant drive sprocket 90 and the resultant driven sprocket 95. In this embodiment, each sprocket 81, 87, 8
The numbers of teeth of 9,90,93,95 are all set to be the same.

The one-way clutch 94 rotates the crankshaft 33 in the F1 direction with a pedal effort drive sprocket 93.
If the crankshaft 33 reverses or the rotation speed of the pedal effort drive sprocket 93 exceeds the crankshaft 33, disconnect the crankshaft 33 from the pedal effort drive sprocket 93 and remove the pedal effort drive sprocket. The 93 is made to idle with respect to the crankshaft 33.

The resultant driven sprocket 95 is integrally formed with a boss 95a protruding to the right side surface of the casing 45, and the final drive sprocket 36 is rotationally fixed to the boss 95a. The right side of the final drive sprocket 36 is covered with a chain cover 98.

The intermediate shaft 77, the resultant shaft 84, the sprockets 81,87,89,90,93,95 and the chains 92,96,97,
Further, members such as the one-way clutches 88 and 94 are integrated to form a force combiner 99.

The auxiliary power of the electric motor 55 is reduced by the planetary reduction mechanism 60 and the reduction gear train 82, and then transmitted to the resultant force shaft 84 via the auxiliary power drive sprocket 81, the chain 92, and the auxiliary power driven sprocket 87. . Also,
The pedal effort applied to the crankshaft 33 is transmitted to the resultant force shaft 84 via the pedal effort drive sprocket 93, the chain 96, and the pedal effort driven sprocket 89.

The rotational force of the resultant force shaft 84 is the resultant force of the auxiliary power and the pedal effort, and this resultant force is transmitted to the final drive sprocket 36 through the resultant force drive sprocket 90, the chain 97, and the resultant driven sprocket 95, and is the drive wheel. Output to the rear wheel 26 side.

As described above, since the pedaling force is assisted by the auxiliary power of the electric motor 55, the auxiliary power assisted bicycle 1 can be easily traveled even with a small pedaling force, for example, traveling uphill or traveling while receiving a headwind. Will be much easier.

By the way, the casing 45 of the auxiliary power assist device 3 has the center case 46, as described above,
Side cases 47 fixed to both sides of this center case 46
And a side case 48.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fastening pedestal 100 is formed inside the side case 47 fixed to the left side of the center case 46. A plurality of fastening pedestals 100 are provided along the outer peripheral contour of the side case 47, and a female screw 101 is cut on each of them. On the other hand, in the center case 46,
A plurality of fastening pedestals 102 are provided at positions that match the above fastening pedestals 100.
Are provided (see also FIG. 3). These fastening pedestals 10
2 is provided on the leftmost side of the center case 46,
A through hole 103 is formed in each of them.

Then, the fastening member 104, which is inserted from the right side of the center case 46 into the through hole 103 of the fastening pedestal 102, is fastened to the screw 101 because it is provided on the fastening pedestal 100 of the side case 47, and thereby the side case. 47 is the center case 46
Fixed to. A bolt or a screw is used for the fastening member 104.

On the other hand, a plurality of fastening pedestals 105 are formed inside the side case 48 fixed to the right side of the center case 46, and a female screw 106 is cut in each of them. Further, the center case 46 is provided with a plurality of fastening pedestals 107 at positions that match the fastening pedestals 105.
A through hole 108 is formed in 107.

From the left side of the center case 46, the fastening base 107
The fastening member 110 inserted in the through hole 108 of the
It is fastened to the screw 106 because it is provided on the fastening base 105 of 48,
As a result, the side case 48 is fixed to the center case 46.

As described above, the side case 47 fixed to the left side of the center case 46 is fastened and fixed by the fastening member 104 inserted from the right side of the center case 46, while the side portion fixed to the right side of the center case 46. When the case 48 is fastened and fixed by the fastening member 110 inserted from the left side of the center case 46, the left and right side cases 47, 48 are fastened and fixed by the fastening members 104, 110 from the inside of the casing 45 (from the center case 46 side). Therefore, the heads of the fastening members 104 and 110 are not exposed on the surfaces of the side cases 47 and 48 on both sides, and the side surfaces of the casing 45 are smooth.

Therefore, the appearance of the auxiliary power assist device 3 is improved, and at the same time, the foot of the occupant who depresses the pedal 35, clothes, and the like are prevented from interfering with the heads of the fastening members 104 and 110.

By the way, a plurality of fastening pedestals 112 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the electric motor 55 in accordance with the positions of the fastening pedestal 105 of the side case 48 and the fastening pedestal 107 of the center case 46. A through hole 113 is formed in 112.

When the side case 48 is fitted to the center case 46, both ends of the fastening pedestal 112 of the electric motor 55 come into contact with the fastening pedestal 105 and the fastening pedestal 107, and the through holes of the fastening pedestal 112 are formed.
113 is coaxially connected to the internal thread 106 of the fastening pedestal 105 and the through hole 108 of the fastening pedestal 107.

The fastening member 110 for fixing the side case 48 penetrates the through hole 108 of the fastening pedestal 107 and the through hole 113 of the fastening pedestal 112 and is fastened to the female screw 106 of the fastening pedestal 105.
Therefore, the fastening member 110 fastens the electric motor 55 and the side case 48 together with the center case 46.

In this way, the fastening member 110 is used to drive the electric motor 55.
When both the side case 48 and the center case 46 are tightened together,
The fastening pedestal 112 provided on the electric motor 55 is the fastening pedestal 107 of the center case 46 and the fastening pedestal 105 of the side case 48.
The heat of the electric motor 55 easily escapes to the casing 45 via the fastening pedestals 112, 105, 107 since it is sandwiched between and closely adheres.

Therefore, even in the layout in which the electric motor 55 is hermetically sealed in the casing 45 like the auxiliary power assist device 3, the cooling performance of the electric motor 55 can be improved. In addition, the center case 46 and the side case 48 may be formed of aluminum alloy or the like having good thermal conductivity,
If a cooling fin or the like is provided on the surface of 48, the cooling performance of the electric motor 55 can be further improved.

Moreover, if the electric motor 55 and the side case 48 are fastened together in this way, the fastening member 110 of the side case 48 is also used as the fastening member of the electric motor 55, so that the number of fastening members is reduced. be able to. Therefore, the assemblability of the auxiliary power assist device 3 can be improved, and the weight and cost of the auxiliary power assist device 3 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the force combiner 99 is constructed by using a sprocket and a chain, but it may be a force combiner using a differential device or a planetary gear device, for example. Further, the casing does not necessarily have to have the same shape as that of the present embodiment. In short, the structure according to the present invention can be applied as long as the side cases are fixed to the left and right sides of the center case located in the center.

[0057]

As described above, the auxiliary power assist device for an auxiliary power assist type bicycle according to the present invention has a casing forming an outer shell thereof, a center case located at the center in the vehicle width direction, and this center case. The side case fixed to the left side of the center case and the side case fixed to the right side of the center case are configured, and the side case fixed to the left side of the center case is inserted from the right side of the center case. While being fastened and fixed by a member, the side case fixed to the right side of the center case is fastened and fixed by a fastening member inserted from the left side of the center case.

Therefore, the left and right side cases are fastened and fixed by the fastening members from the inside of the casing (from the center case side), and the fastening members are not exposed on the surfaces of the side cases on both sides. Therefore, the side surface of the casing becomes smooth, the appearance of the auxiliary power assist device is greatly improved, and at the same time, there is no concern that the head of the fastening member interferes with the foot or clothes of the occupant who depresses the pedal.

In the auxiliary power assist device for an auxiliary power assist type bicycle according to the present invention, an electric motor is installed between the center case and the side case, and a fastening member for fastening and fixing the side case to the center case. It is characterized in that the electric motor is fastened together with the center case.

In this case, the fastening pedestal provided on the electric motor is sandwiched between the center case and the side case, and the heat of the electric motor is dissipated to the casing via the fastening pedestal. Even if the layout is sealed, the cooling performance of the electric motor can be improved.

Furthermore, since the fastening member for fastening and fixing the side case to the center case is also used as the fastening member of the electric motor, the number of fastening members is reduced, the assemblability of the auxiliary power assist device is improved, the weight is reduced, and the cost is reduced. Can be down.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a left side view of an auxiliary power assist type bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary power assist device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a left side view of the auxiliary power assist device taken along the line III-III of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Auxiliary power assist type bicycle 2 Body frame 3 Auxiliary power assist device 26 Rear wheel which is a driving wheel 33 Crankshaft 45 Casing 46 Center case 47, 48 Side case 55 Electric motor 99 Coupling device 104,110 Fastening member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A casing is provided with a crankshaft rotatably driven by pedaling force, an electric motor for generating auxiliary power, and a resultant force device for combining the pedaling force and auxiliary power and outputting the resultant force to the drive wheel side. In the auxiliary power assist device for an auxiliary power assist type bicycle provided in, the casing includes a center case located in the center in the vehicle width direction, a side case fixed to the left side of the center case, and a right side of the center case. And a side case fixed to the center case, the side case fixed to the left side of the center case is fastened and fixed by a fastening member inserted from the right side of the center case, while being fixed to the right side of the center case. A supplementary power assisted bicycle characterized in that the side case is fastened and fixed by a fastening member inserted from the left side of the center case. Power assist device. 2. The electric motor is installed between the center case and the side case, and the electric motor is fastened together with the center case by a fastening member for fastening and fixing the side case to the center case. Auxiliary power assist device for the described auxiliary power assist type bicycle.