JPH09235927A - Remotely operated unlocking device for wheel lock for bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily unlock a wheel lock of a bicycle at once without the need for bending down by a simple operation of a portable remote controller operated at a position away from the bicycle, or to make unlocking executed simply even in the case where access to the bicycle is not available because the bicycle is placed among many other bicycles. SOLUTION: A wheel lock to be put on a spoke of a wheel of a bicycle for locking the wheel, a push solenoid PS that operates on magnetic force generated when electrified, a remote controller 14 that is portable and transmitting signals, and a controller main body 15 composed of a receiving part 21 receiving signals from the remote controller 14 and a push solenoid controlling part 18 controlling electrification to the push solenoid PS are provided. Thereby, unlocking can be made for the bicycle from a place away from the bicycle on signals transmitted from the remote controller 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an antitheft wheel lock attached to a bicycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been bicycles equipped with wheel locks for locking the wheels to prevent theft. In such a bicycle, as shown in FIG. 6, the structure of the wheel lock is such that the lock bar 1 with the lock hole 4, the lever 2 with the hook 5 and the protrusion 6 and the lock bar 1 inserted by hand are unlocked. Key 12,
It is composed of a fulcrum 3 which is an axis of the lever 2 and the key 12. When locking, when pushing the locking rod 1 by hand, the lever (2) rotates around the fulcrum 3 by a spring (not shown) and goes up, and the lever hook (5) fits into the lock hole (4) of the locking rod. Then, the lock bar 1 which is about to be pushed back by the spring force.
To lock. At this time, the key 12 is released. Next, when unlocking the lock, the key 12 is inserted by hand, the tip of the key 12 hits the protrusion 6 of the lever, and the key head 13 is pushed.
Rotates about the fulcrum, the lever 2 is pushed down, and the hook 5 is disengaged from the lock hole 4. The locking rod 1 is pushed back by the spring force, and the locking is released. As described above, conventionally, the lock of the wheel is unlocked by manually inserting the key.

[0003]

However, when the key is inserted from the knee to the waist, it is necessary to bend down when unlocking the wheels, or when the bicycle is crowded with other bicycles. It may be out of reach. Also,
It takes time to unlock the wheels. Further, when a primary battery such as a dry battery is used as a power source, there is a problem that the battery needs to be replaced when it runs out or does not operate when the battery runs out. The present invention was conceived to solve these problems.

[0004]

A first wheel lock unlocking device of the present invention for solving the above problems is a wheel lock which is inserted into a spoke of a wheel of a bicycle to lock the wheel.
A push solenoid that generates a magnetic force when activated and operates, a remote controller that is portable and sends a lock release signal, a receiver that receives a signal from the remote controller, and a push solenoid control that controls the energization of the push solenoid And a main body controller composed of parts. A second wheel lock unlocking device of the present invention,
A power generator for generating electric power by rotating wheels and a secondary battery for storing the power generated by the power generator are provided, and the power stored in the secondary battery is used as a power source for an unlocking device or a headlamp. The present invention is an unlocking device for a wheel lock having the above-mentioned configuration.

[0005]

The first wheel lock unlocking device of the present invention having the above-described structure can be unlocked by a simple operation of the portable remote controller, so that the wheel can be unlocked instantly from a place away from the bicycle. Therefore, it is not necessary to bend over and the wheels can be easily unlocked even if they are crowded with other bicycles and are out of reach. Of course, it can be used together with a conventional plug-in key, and the lock of the wheel can be unlocked not only by the remote controller but also by the plug-in key. The second wheel lock unlocking device of the present invention does not require battery replacement, and there is no problem that the lock cannot be unlocked when the battery runs out in an emergency. Further, the electric power stored in the secondary battery can be used as a power source for the headlamp, and the headlamp can be turned on even when the bicycle is stopped or when the bicycle is pushed to walk.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above, a preferred embodiment of the remote lock / unlock device of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic system block diagram of a remote locking / unlocking device that uses infrared rays as a signal transmitted from the remote controller 14 as one embodiment, and includes a remote controller 14, a main body controller 15, a push solenoid PS, and a battery 19. Then, an infrared signal is transmitted from the remote controller 14, received by the main body controller 15, and the push solenoid PS is energized to drive the push solenoid PS. The remote controller 14 is portable, includes a primary battery 17 such as a lithium battery as a power source, and further includes a transmission control unit 16, a lock release switch SW1, and an infrared light emitting diode LED that emits infrared light.
When the lock release switch SW1 is pressed, the transmission control unit 16
Sends a pulse forward current to the infrared light emitting diode LED,
Infrared rays are emitted from the infrared light emitting diode LED. The main body controller 15 is composed of a receiving section 21 and a push solenoid control section 18, and sends a lock release signal from the remote controller 14 to the photodiode PD.
The push solenoid controller 18 is actuated and the push solenoid PS is driven.

The circuit configuration of the remote controller 14 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission control unit 16 includes a power supply circuit unit 25 and an LED drive circuit unit 20. The primary battery 17 and the lock release switch SW1 are connected to the power supply circuit section 25. Lock release switch SW1, resistor R1,
R2 is connected in series between the voltages of the primary battery 17, and the resistance R1
And the middle point of R2 and the base of the NPN transistor TR1 are connected. Further, the collector of the NPN transistor TR1 is connected to the base of the PNP transistor TR2 through the resistor R3, and the emitter of the PNP transistor TR2 is connected to the positive side of the primary battery 17. When the lock release switch SWI is pressed, the power supply circuit unit 25 configured as described above is operated by the NPN through the lock release switch SW1 and the resistor R1.
A base current flows through the transistor TR1 and the NPN transistor TR1 is turned on. At this time, PN is passed through the resistor R3.
A base current flows through the P transistor TR2, and the PNP transistor TR2 is turned on. As a result, when the PNP transistor TR2 is ON, that is, the lock release switch S
Power is supplied to the LED drive circuit unit 20 only when W1 is pressed to suppress power consumption when not in use. The LED drive circuit unit 20 includes a gate IC (G1 and G2) and a crystal oscillator X.
An oscillation circuit composed of T, a feedback resistor R5, and parallel capacitors C3 and C4 is provided, and when the PNP transistor TR2 is ON,
38 kHz, which is a common carrier frequency for infrared signals
The infrared light emitting diode LED is turned on so that the reception side can easily separate from the disturbance. Gate IC
(G2) pulse output causes NPN through resistor R6
A base current is passed through the transistor TR3. The NPN transistors TR3 and TR4 are connected in Darlington so that a large forward current can flow through the infrared light emitting diode LED even with the output current from the gate IC (G2). A resistor R8 connected to the emitter of the PNP transistor TR2, an infrared light emitting diode LED, and an NPN transistor TR3.T.
The collector of R4 is connected in series and the NPN transistor TR
When 3 · TR4 is turned on, a forward current limited by the resistor R8 flows into the infrared light emitting diode LED, and an infrared signal is output. By such operation, the lock release switch S
When W1 is pressed, the transmission controller 16 sends a pulse forward current to the infrared light emitting diode LED, and the infrared light emitting diode LED emits infrared light as a lock release signal. In this embodiment, when the lock release switch SW is ON, 3
Infrared light emitting diode LE with carrier frequency of 8kHz
Although only D is oscillated, the signal is modulated and a lighting cycle is provided so that a large current can flow through the infrared light emitting diode LED so that the optical output can reach a long distance. It is conceivable to extend the signal reaching distance from the device and reduce malfunctions due to ambient light. Further, by transmitting the code by the modulated signal and making the bicycle identify that it is the lock release signal of itself, it is possible to eliminate the problem of unlocking the lock of other bicycles.

A circuit configuration of the main body controller 15 is shown in FIG. The main body controller 15 is a control unit for receiving a lock release signal from the remote controller 14 and driving the push solenoid PS, and as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a receiver 21 and a push solenoid controller 18. In the receiver 21, the circuits required for the infrared remote control system are integrated into one chip, and a photo IC for infrared communication (I
Infrared light is received by the photodiode PD by using C), and the infrared signal from the remote controller 14 is detected. Output of infrared photo IC (IC) and resistance R
10 and the base of the PNP transistor TR5 are connected in series, and the emitter of the PNP transistor TR5 is connected to the positive side of the battery 19. When the infrared communication photo IC (IC) detects an infrared signal, the PNP is passed through the resistor R10 to the output of the infrared communication photo IC (IC).
The base current of the transistor TR5 flows, turning on the PNP transistor TR5. The capacitor C8 connected between the emitter and the base of the PNP transistor TR5 ensures that the PNP transistor TR5 is not turned on due to noise and only when the lock release signal is received.
Is for turning on. As described above, the reception unit 21 detects the infrared unlocking signal from the remote controller 14. When the receiving unit 21 detects the lock release signal, the push solenoid control unit 18 operates.
The push solenoid control unit 18 sets a bush solenoid energization timer as a time for energizing the push solenoid PS, and is a circuit for driving the push solenoid PS during that time, and does not energize at all times when the lock release switch SW1 is ON. By operating the push solenoid PS and energizing the push solenoid PS only for the time required to release the lock, the time for which the push solenoid PS consumes power is suppressed and the battery life is extended. PNP transistor TR
When 5 is turned on, the capacitor C9 is charged through the resistor R11 connected to the collector of the PNP transistor TR5. The connection point between the resistor R11 and the capacitor C9 is connected to the negative input of the voltage comparator (COMP.), And the connection point between the resistors R12 and R13 is connected to the positive input of the voltage comparator (COMP.). By charging, resistance R1
1 until the voltage at the connection point of the capacitor C9 reaches the voltage set by the divided voltage value of the resistors R12 and R13, the output of the voltage comparator (COMP.) Becomes HI, and thereafter becomes LO. . The output of the voltage comparator (COMP.) Is H
During I, that is, during the push solenoid energization timer time, the base current flows through the resistor R14 connected to the collector of the PNP transistor TR5 and the resistor R15 to the NPN transistor TR6, and the NPN transistor TR6 is turned on. This causes P through the resistor R17 connected to the collector of the NPN transistor TR6.
A base current flows through the NP transistor TR7, the PNP transistor TR7 is turned on, and the PNP transistor TR7 is turned on.
The push solenoid PS connected to the collector is energized. The connection point of the resistors R14 and R15 is connected to the output of the voltage comparator (COMP.), And after the push solenoid energization timer, when the output of the voltage comparator (COMP.) Becomes LO, the base current flows through the NPN transistor TR6. Does not flow, the NPN transistor TR6 and the PNP transistor TR7 are turned off, and the energization of the push solenoid PS is stopped. The capacitor C10 connected between the emitter and the base of the PNP transistor TR7 is for ensuring that the PNP transistor TR7 is turned on only during the push solenoid energization timer time without the PNP transistor TR7 being turned on due to noise. By the above operation of the main body controller 15, the push solenoid PS
Is energized for a certain period of time and turned on to unlock the lock.

A schematic configuration diagram of the wheel lock and the push solenoid is shown in FIG. 5, and with reference to FIG.
The operation from the energization of the wheel to the unlocking of the wheels will be described. Wheel locks are wheel spokes (not shown)
Although the locking rod 1 of the wheel lock is inserted between them, the structure of the wheel lock for locking the wheel is as shown in FIG. 5, in which the locking rod 1 with the lock hole 4, the hook 5 and the protrusion 6 are attached. Lever 2, a key for unlocking the locking rod 1 by hand (not shown in FIG. 5, but a key to be manually inserted can be used as in the prior art, and can be used together with the release by the remote controller 14). It is composed of a lever 2 and a fulcrum 3 which is the axis of the key. In this embodiment, the protrusion 6 of the lever
Is larger than the conventional one, and the push rod 11 of the push solenoid PS and the key to be inserted by hand can be used. When locking the wheel, push the locking rod 1 by hand, and when the lock hole 4 of the locking rod comes to the position of the hook 5 of the lever, a spring (not shown)
The lever 2 rotates around the fulcrum 3 as a shaft, and the hook 5 of the lever fits into the lock hole 4 of the locking rod, so that the locking rod 1 that is about to be pushed back by the spring force is locked, and the hand is released. Also, the locking rod 1 remains inserted between the spokes of the wheel, and the wheel is locked. At this time, the key is released. Next, the unlocking operation of the wheels from this state will be described. When the coil 8 is energized via the lead wire 7, the push solenoid PS generates a magnetic force, and the suction plate 9
Are attracted to the coil 8 side. Suction plate 9 and plunger 1
0, the push rod 11 is integrally assembled, and the push rod 11 extends outward to push down the protrusion 6 of the lever. The protrusion 6 of the lever is pushed down, and the lever 2 supports the fulcrum 3.
When it is rotated about the axis, the hook 5 is disengaged from the lock hole 4, the locking rod 1 is pushed back by the spring force, and the locking of the wheel is released. As described above, the portable remote controller 14
Then, the push solenoid PS unlocks the wheels from a location remote from the bicycle. Also, when unlocking the wheels with a manually inserted key as in the past, when the key is inserted by hand, the tip of the key hits the protrusion 6 of the lever, and when the head of the key is pushed, the key becomes a fulcrum. 3 is rotated, the lever 2 is pushed down, and the hook 5 is locked in the lock hole 4
Since it is disengaged, the locking rod 1 is pushed back by the spring force, and the locking of the wheel is released.

Next, an embodiment of claim 2 will be described with reference to FIG. A generator 24 (dynamo) that generates electric power by rotating a tire is connected to a secondary battery 22 via a diode bridge D1 and a resistor R18. Generator 2
When electric power is generated at 4, the secondary battery 22 is charged through the diode bridge D1 and the resistor R18 and stores the electric power. The secondary battery 22 is connected to the main body controller 15 via the diode D2 as a power source for the push solenoid PS and the main body controller 15. Further, similarly, the secondary battery 22 and the headlamp 23 are also connected via the diode D2.
The ON / OFF switch SW2 of is connected. With the above configuration, the electric power generated by the generator 24 can be stored in the secondary battery 22, and the electric power stored in the secondary battery 22 can be used as the power supply of the lock / unlock device and the power supply of the headlamp 23. Of course, during power generation, the power of the generator can drive the unlocking device and the headlamp 23. Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and for example, transmission / reception using a radio wave such as an FM wave can be performed for remote operation, which deviates from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, the present invention can be carried out in various modes as long as it does not.

[0011]

As described above in detail, according to the first unlocking device of the present invention, the unlocking operation of the wheels can be easily performed by the portable remote controller, and the operation can be performed instantly from a place away from the bicycle. Since the wheels are unlocked, it is not necessary to bend over and the wheels can be easily unlocked even if they are too close to other bicycles to reach. of course,
It can be used in combination with a conventional plug-in key, and can be unlocked not only by a remote controller but also by a plug-in key. Further, according to the second locking / unlocking device of the present invention, it is not necessary to replace the battery, and there is no problem that the locking / unlocking cannot be performed when the battery runs out in an emergency. Further, the electric power stored in the secondary battery can be used as a power source for the headlamp, and the headlamp can be turned on even when the bicycle is stopped or when the bicycle is pushed to walk.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system block diagram of the present invention as an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of a remote controller of the present invention as one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of a main body controller of the present invention as one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system using the secondary battery of the present invention as an example.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wheel lock and a push solenoid of the present invention as one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional wheel lock.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Locking bar 2 Lever 3 Support point 4 Lock hole 5
Hook 6 Protrusion 7 Lead wire 8 Coil 9 Suction plate 1
0 Plunger 11 Push rod 12 Key 13 Key head 14 Remote controller 15 Main body controller 16 Transmission control unit 17 Primary battery 18 Push solenoid control unit 19 Battery 20 LED drive circuit unit 21 Reception unit
22 secondary battery 23 headlamp 24 generator 25 power supply circuit section SW1 lock release switch SW2 switch LED infrared light emitting diode PD photo diode

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A wheel lock that is inserted into a spoke of a wheel of a bicycle to lock the wheel, a push solenoid that operates by generating a magnetic force when energized, a remote controller that is portable and transmits a signal, and a remote controller. A wheel that is provided with a receiving unit that receives a signal from the bicycle and a main body controller that includes a push solenoid control unit that controls energization of the push solenoid, and means for unlocking the bicycle from a location remote from the bicycle. Lock / unlock device. 2. A power generator for generating electric power by rotating wheels, and a secondary battery for storing electric power generated by the power generator,
2. The unlocking device according to claim 1, wherein the power stored in the secondary battery is used as a power source for the unlocking device for the wheel lock and a power source for the headlamp.