JPH09216595A - Power assisting tricycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the turning function in an auxiliary motive power running condition, by providing a means to control the auxiliary motive power depending on the pedal depressing force, and a control means to instruct the auxiliary motive power, and furthermore, providing a fluctuation locking means to make a fluctuation mechanism in the inoperative condition, when the auxiliary motive power control means is selected by these selecting means. SOLUTION: When the key 40 of a main switch 39 is at the OFF position, an auxiliary motive power is not fed, and a tricycle runs only by the pedal depressing force. In this case, the lock pin 37a of a lock cylinder 37 is embedded in a cylinder to operate a fluctuation mechanism normally, a front frame can fluctuate to a rear frame, and the turning operation can be carried out smoothly. When the key 40 is rotated to the PAS-ON position, the tricycle is made in the auxiliary motive power running mode, an electromotive system is started, the input to a pedal is detected by a leg-power sensor, and the auxiliary motive power is controlled according to the pedal depressing force. As a result, the fluctuation mechanism is operated normally, and the turning operation can be carried out smoothly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric auxiliary tricycle having a human power drive system for supplying pedal effort to drive wheels and an electric power drive system for supplying auxiliary power from an electric motor to the drive wheels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, three-wheeled bicycles have been provided for people who are not accustomed to bicycles or for carrying luggage. In this type of three-wheeled bicycle, in order to facilitate turning, a front frame that supports one front wheel swings relative to a rear frame that supports two rear wheels around a horizontal axis of rotation that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. Many are equipped with a swinging mechanism that allows movement.

On the other hand, recently, there has been proposed a vehicle equipped with a human power drive system and an electric power drive system, and an electric assist mechanism for controlling the auxiliary output of the power drive system based on the pedal effort of the human power drive system. Therefore, it has been proposed to apply this electric assist mechanism to a three-wheeled bicycle.

Also, as a vehicle mainly for elderly people, there is provided an electric tricycle (senior car) which is self-propelled by controlling the output of an electric motor by operating a lever or a push button. Therefore, it is conceivable that the application can be further expanded by adding a self-propelled function to the above-mentioned electric auxiliary tricycle.

[0005]

However, when the self-propelled function is simply added to the conventional electric assisted tricycle, the swing mechanism is relatively high, which is the same level as that of a normal bicycle, such as when the vehicle is assisted. It is effective when traveling at high speed, but unnecessary when traveling at extremely low speeds,
On the contrary, there is a concern that the seat may become unstable and the running may become unstable.

The present invention has been made in order to avoid the concern when adding the above-mentioned self-propelled function, and an electric auxiliary tricycle capable of ensuring both the turning function at the time of auxiliary power traveling and the stability at the time of self-propelling. The challenge is to provide.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a human power drive system for supplying pedal effort to a drive wheel, an electric power drive system for supplying auxiliary power from an electric motor to the drive wheel, and a front wheel for supporting one wheel. In an electrically-assisted three-wheeled vehicle including a swinging mechanism that allows a partial frame to swing relative to a rear frame that supports two rear wheels around an axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, the above-mentioned auxiliary power is based on pedaling force. First assisting force control means for controlling, assisting force instructing means for instructing supply of the assisting power, second assisting force control means for controlling the assisting force based on the instruction of the assisting force instructing means, , A selection means for selecting any one of the second auxiliary force control means, and a swing lock means for setting the swing mechanism to an inoperative state when the second auxiliary force control means is selected. There is.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are views for explaining an electric assisted tricycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Is a side view of the above-mentioned tricycle, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are plan views, side views and cross-sectional rear views of the swing mechanism portion, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the swing lock mechanism, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the main switch. It is a figure.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an electric auxiliary tricycle, and a vehicle body frame of the tricycle 1 includes one front wheel 3, a power unit 4, and a front frame 6 for supporting a battery 5.
The rear frame 8 supports the pair of left and right rear wheels 7, 7.

A head pipe 6b is fixed to the front end of the main pipe 6a of the front frame 6, a front wheel 3 is fixed to the head pipe 6b at its lower end, and a traveling handle 9 is fixed to its upper end. Is rotatably supported to the left and right, and the saddle-type seat 1 is attached to the upper end of the seat pipe 6c which is erected at the substantial center of the main pipe 6b in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The seat post 11a to which 1 is fixed is inserted and fixed so that the vertical height can be adjusted. Reference numerals 6d and 6d denote a pair of left and right seat stays that connect the upper end of the seat pipe 6c and the vicinity of the front edge of the rear wheel of the main pipe 6a.

The main pipe 6a and the seat pipe 6c are surrounded by a vehicle body cover 12. The battery 5 is a unit in which a large number of battery cells are housed in a case, and is arranged along the rear side of the seat pipe 6c and between the left and right seat stays 6d, 6d. It is accommodated in the battery container 13 arranged so as to be vertically removable.

The power unit 4 has a structure in which an electric motor 15 as an auxiliary power source is connected to the front part of a power case 14 which houses a pedal drive mechanism, and is arranged in the vehicle body cover 12. It is located in the lower part of the center of the main pipe 6a in the front-back direction. A controller 16 for controlling the auxiliary power from the electric motor 15 is arranged in the front portion of the vehicle body cover 12 in a manner described later.

A crankshaft 17 is inserted through the power case 14 in the vehicle width direction, and crank pedals 19 are attached to the ends of crank arms 18 fixed to both ends of the crankshaft 17, and a pedaling force applied to the crank pedal 19 is applied. Of the electric motor 15 for transmitting the output of the electric motor 15 from the crankshaft 17 to the rear wheel 7 via the transmission mechanism 20 via a transmission mechanism 20 described later. The system is configured.

A main switch 39 is arranged near the head pipe 6b. As shown in FIG. 6, the main switch 39 is an "OFF" state in which the key 40 is inserted and removed and the vehicle travels only by the pedal effort.
The position and the "self-propelled-ON" position in which the vehicle can travel even with only the auxiliary power from the electric motor 15 described above, that is, when there is no input of the pedal effort, and the assistance corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal effort. The "PAS-ON" position where power is supplied can be selected.

The steering handle 9 is provided with a self-propelled button 9a. Press the above key 40 "Self-running-ON"
When the controller 16 is turned to the position, the controller 16 is in the self-propelled mode. In this mode, when the self-propelled button 9a is pushed, the controller 16 sets the auxiliary power from the electric motor 15 to a predetermined value set only during that time.
The power supply to the motor 15 is controlled by this (self-propelled mode control). In this "self-propelled-ON" mode, the swinging mechanism is locked as described later.

When the key 40 is rotated to the "PAS-ON" position, the controller 16 is in the auxiliary power running mode. In this mode, the pedaling force applied to the crank pedal 19 is detected by a pedaling force sensor (not shown) provided in the power case 14, and the output (auxiliary power) of the electric motor 15 is output by the controller 16 to the pedaling force. And the crankshaft rotation speed. In this case, the pedal force on the pedal 19 and the electric motor 1
The auxiliary power from 5 is combined in the power case 14, and the combined force is transmitted to the rear wheel 7.

Therefore, the controller 16 functions as a first auxiliary force control means (auxiliary power traveling mode control means) for controlling the auxiliary power by the electric motor 15 based on the pedal effort, and by pushing the self-propelled button 9a. It functions as a second assist force control unit (self-propelled mode control unit) that controls based on the instructed value. Also,
The main switch 39 functions as selection means for selecting either the auxiliary power running mode or the self-running mode.

In the rear frame 8, a central pipe 22 having a generally U-shape is arranged below the rear end of the main pipe 6a with its opening facing forward, and the central pipe 22 has left and right sides which are substantially long in plan view. It has a schematic structure in which circular wheel support pipes 23, 23 are fixed. The left and right rear wheels 7 are arranged such that their upper portions are located inside the left and right wheel support pipes 23, 23, and are rotatably supported by an axle 24. The left and right ends of the axle 24 have left and right wheel support pipes 23, 23 supporting brackets 23a.
It is bolted and fixed to the part.

The power transmission mechanism 20 is arranged so as to connect the opening edges of the central pipe 22 of the rear frame 8, and the primary sprocket 26a of the intermediate unit 25.
The drive chain and the drive sprocket mounted on the right end of the crankshaft 17 are connected by the primary chain 27a, and the intermediate unit 2
The secondary sprocket 26b of No. 5 and the driven sprocket 26c fixed to the rear wheel drive pipes (not shown) connected to the left and right rear wheels are connected by the secondary chain 27b. belongs to. The intermediate unit 25 has a built-in one-way clutch that transmits only power from the crankshaft side to the rear wheel side.

Between the rear portion of the main pipe 6a of the front frame 6 and the central pipe 22 of the rear frame 8, the rear frame 8 supports the front frame 6 in a relatively swingable manner. A swing mechanism 28 for urging the front frame 6 to return to the neutral position before swinging.
Are arranged.

The swing mechanism 28 is constructed as follows. An oscillating pipe in which a front cross pipe 22a for connecting the U-shaped front parts of the central pipe 22 and a rear cross pipe 22b for the rear end are arranged below the rear part of the main pipe 6a in parallel therewith. Connected and fixed by 22c. Then, the swing shaft 30 is inserted into the swing pipe 22c so as to be relatively rotatable. Further, the swing pipe 22c is sandwiched between the lower ends of the brackets 29a and 29b extending downward from the main pipe 6a, and both ends of the swing shaft 30 are projected to the outside of the brackets 29a and 29b so that the nut 29c is secured. Screw in. As a result, the front frame 6 is supported by the rear frame 8 so as to be relatively swingable right and left.

The front bracket 29a is welded and fixed to the main pipe 6a, and the rear bracket 29b is detachably bolted and fixed to a bracket 29d that is welded and fixed to the main pipe 6a.

A support shaft 31 is provided below the swing pipe 22c via a bracket 31a, and the support shaft 31 serves as a pair of left and right swing arms 32, 32.
Is pivotally supported. The swing arms 32, 32 extend upward, and the upper ends of the swing arms 32, 32 come into contact with the receiving members 32a, 32a fixed to the left and right side surfaces of the main pipe 6a. The springs 33, 33 interposed between the left and right side portions are rotationally biased to press the left and right side surfaces of the main pipe 6a. As a result, when the front frame 6 swings to the left and right, the front frame 6 automatically returns to the original neutral position.

Reference numeral 34 is an elastic member and is a stopper for restricting the swing angle of the front frame 6 within a predetermined range, and each stopper 34 is the front cross pipe 2 described above.
It is detachably attached to a bracket 34a fixed to 2a. This prevents excessive swinging of the front frame 6.

Then, between the rear end portion of the main pipe 6a of the front frame 6 and the rear cross pipe 22b of the central pipe 22 of the rear frame 8, the swing motion of the swing mechanism 28 is fixed, and the front portion is fixed. A swing lock mechanism 35 that locks the frame 6 at the neutral position is provided. This swing lock mechanism 35 has a lock hole 29e formed in a bracket 29b at the rear of the main pipe 6a, a lock cylinder 37 is attached to a bracket 36 fixed to the rear cross pipe 22b, and a lock pin of the lock cylinder 37 is attached. The lock hole 29e is engaged and disengaged by advancing and retracting 37a.

The lock cylinder 37 is connected to the lever 39a of the main switch 39 via an operation cable 38.
It is connected to. This main switch 39 has a key 40
Is inserted at the "OFF" position and rotated to the "self-propelled-ON" position, the lock pin 37a of the lock cylinder 37 is inserted into the lock hole 29e of the bracket 29b by the rotation of the lever 39a, and the front frame The rocking of 6 and the rear frame 8 is stopped and locked in the neutral state.

Next, the function and effect of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described. When the key 40 of the main switch 39 is located in the “OFF” position, the auxiliary power from the electric drive system is not supplied and the vehicle travels only with the pedal effort as in a normal three-wheeled bicycle. In this case, the lock pin 37a of the lock cylinder 37 is recessed in the cylinder,
Therefore, the swing mechanism 28 operates normally, and the front frame 6 can swing with respect to the rear frame 8, so that the swing operation can be performed smoothly.

When the key 40 is rotated to the "PAS-ON" position, the auxiliary power running mode is set, the electric drive system is activated, the input to the pedal 19 is detected by the pedal force sensor, and the controller 16 is driven by the electric motor 15. The auxiliary power of is controlled according to the pedal effort. In this case, the auxiliary power is controlled to be less than 1 with respect to the pedal effort of 1, and the vehicle speed is 1
It gradually decreases from the point when it exceeds 5 km / h, and becomes 24 K.
It is controlled so that it becomes zero when it reaches m / h. It should be noted that the swinging mechanism 28 operates normally even in the auxiliary power traveling mode, and the turning operation can be performed smoothly.

When the key 40 is rotated to the "self-propelled-ON" position, the self-propelled mode is set. While the self-propelled button 9a is pushed, the electric motor 15 supplies a predetermined auxiliary power only during that time. The vehicle speed can be self-propelled at about 4 km / h, and elderly people can move freely.

Simultaneously with the switching operation to the "self-propelled-ON" position by the key 40, the lock pin 37a of the lock cylinder 37 is inserted into the lock hole 29e of the bracket 29b, and the swing mechanism 28 is fixed at the neutral position. To be done. Therefore, the front frame 6 does not swing, and the seat 11 becomes stable, and the self-propelled vehicle can be stably performed.

In this embodiment, the swing arm 32 supported by the central pipe 22 of the rear frame 8 is brought into contact with the main pipe 6a of the front frame 6 and pulled by the return spring 33. 6
Can be automatically returned to the neutral position, and the straight-ahead movement can be stabilized while facilitating the turning movement.

In the above embodiment, when the self-propelled button is pushed during self-propelling, the constant auxiliary power is supplied only during that time. However, the throttle lever or the like can be used to variably indicate the amount of auxiliary power. Is also good.

[0033]

According to the electric assisted tricycle according to the present invention,
When the auxiliary power traveling mode for controlling the above-mentioned auxiliary force based on the pedal effort is selected, the swing mechanism is operated, and when the self-propelled mode for instructing the auxiliary force by another instruction means is selected. Since the rocking mechanism is automatically locked, when traveling at a relatively high speed, the turning operation can be performed smoothly, and the vehicle travels at a relatively low speed.
Therefore, when used as a so-called senior car in which the turning operation is easy, the front frame, particularly the seat, is fixed without swinging, and there is an effect that traveling can be performed stably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric assisted tricycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a swing mechanism portion of the tricycle.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the swing mechanism portion.

FIG. 4 is a sectional rear view of the swing mechanism portion.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a lock mechanism of the swing mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a main switch of the tricycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electric Assisted Tricycle 3 Front Wheel 6 Front Frame 7 Rear Wheel (Drive Wheel) 8 Rear Frame 15 Electric Motor 16 Controller (First and Second Aid Force Control Means) 22c Swing Pipe (Rotation Shaft) 28 Swing Mechanism 30 Rotation Shaft 37 Lock Cylinder (Swing Lock Means) 39 Main Switch (Selection Means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A human power drive system for supplying pedal effort to drive wheels, an electric power drive system for supplying auxiliary power from an electric motor to drive wheels, a front frame supporting one front wheel and two rear wheels. In an electrically-assisted tricycle having a swing mechanism capable of relatively swinging about an axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to a rear frame, first auxiliary force control means for controlling the auxiliary power on the basis of pedaling force. An assisting force instruction means for instructing the supply of the assisting power, and a second assisting force control means for controlling the assisting force based on the instruction of the assisting force instruction means,
A selection means for selecting one of the first and second assisting force control means, and a swing lock means for disabling the swinging mechanism when the second assisting force control means is selected. Electric assisted tricycle characterized by.