JPH09240563A - Human power detector and human power auxiliary power unit using its human power detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable high reliability and reduction of cost by improving a human power detector having a method for detecting tension of a chain. SOLUTION: A human power detector B is provided with a manual input shaft 11, a human power output shaft 12, a rope body 13 to be wound on them, and a tension detecting means 14 for detecting tension of the rope body 13, and at least the rope body 13 and the tension detecting means 14 are housed in a case 15. The rope body 13 is wound on the input and output shafts 11, 12 with slack, a lever 16 for applying tension to the rope body 13 is provided, the lever 16 is rotatably installed, an idler 16b to be brought in slide contact with the rope body 13 is provided on one side of it, and a detecting sensor 20 is connected to the other side. A manual auxiliary power unit A is provided with the manual input shaft 11, the manual output shaft 12, the rope body 13 to be wound on them, the tension detecting means 14, and a motor M, at least the rope body 13, the tension detecting means 14 and the motor M are housed in the case 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a human power detection device mounted on, for example, an electric bicycle, and more particularly to a human power detection device of a system for detecting the tension of a chain and a human power assist power device using the human power detection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electric bicycle using an electric motor has been attracting attention for assisting human power. This type of electric bicycle is equipped with an electric motor and a battery power supply unit that supplies electric power to this motor in a normal bicycle, and additionally supplements a predetermined motor auxiliary power according to the driving force of the human power to load the human power. It is intended to reduce.

Further, in order to classify such an electric bicycle as a bicycle according to the regulations in Japan at present, it is necessary to provide assistance in accordance with human power without self-propelled by a motor. There is. That is, the auxiliary driving force by this motor does not exceed the driving force of the human power, and when the traveling speed of the bicycle is up to 15 km / h, 100% of the human power is assisted. When it exceeds the limit, it gradually decreases, and when it exceeds 24 km / h, the control is restricted to stop the motor auxiliary output.

Such an electric bicycle has a frame 2 of the electric bicycle 1 as shown in FIG.
The front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are provided in front of and behind the vehicle, and a human power driving means for driving the rear wheel 5 by the human power (pedal force) of the driver is provided. Further, a human power assisting power unit J is added thereto. ing. In the JIS standard (JIS D 9101), the frame 2 indicated by reference numeral 2c is called a main pipe, and 2d is called a vertical pipe. Therefore, the frame 2 is also used in accordance with the JIS standard.

This manpower-assisting power unit J is an electric motor M which is disposed orthogonal to the axle and near the center of the vehicle body width direction.
And a conversion deceleration mechanism (not shown) that converts the rotational driving force from this motor to the rotational direction of the axle and decelerates it.
And, this decelerated motor driving force is added to the normal driving system of human power and combined, and when driving by human power alone,
It is composed of a combination mechanism (not shown) that separates the motor drive system from the normal drive system.

The motor drive system is rotationally driven by a power transmission device using an electric motor as a drive source, and the electric motor is supplied with electric power from the electric power device. That is, this electric power plant includes a battery power supply unit 8 using a plurality of storage batteries, a power supply circuit unit that stabilizes and supplies electric power, an electric motor M for traveling, a motor drive circuit that directly controls the output operation of this motor, And a control circuit that outputs a motor output command signal to the motor drive circuit. Then, the motor drive output generated from this motor is added to the conventional power transmission device, and this auxiliary strengthened driving force is transmitted to the running wheels via the transmission device, reducing the load of human power and making a comfortable bicycle. It is possible to run.

As a method for detecting the driving force of human power, a dedicated detection member is provided in the transmission path of human power, and the twist angle according to the human power torque of the detection member and the expansion / contraction in the longitudinal axis direction are detected. Alternatively, an elastic body is mounted between the input side rotating body and the output side rotating body to which the pedaling force is transmitted, and the magnitude of the human-powered driving force between the input side rotating body and the output side rotating body is controlled by the planetary gear. There is known a method of detecting from a reaction force applied to (for example, JP-A-4-358987). In addition, since the driving force is generally transmitted by a chain in an electric bicycle,
There is also known one in which a slack of the chain is detected by a switch or a sensor (for example, JP-A-56-63578,
JP-A-56-149277, JP-A-7-172377
issue).

Further, since the vehicle speed detecting means uses a general brush DC motor as an auxiliary drive motor, it is constituted by a dedicated rotation speed sensor connected to the pedal shaft through a gear mechanism. ing. Therefore, the traveling speed of the bicycle is obtained from the rotation speed of the pedal shaft.

The control circuit determines the ratio of the human power assist described above based on the traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit at that time point, and then the ratio is multiplied by the human power detected by the human power detection unit. Then, the actually required auxiliary output is calculated, and finally, the motor output command value that satisfies this auxiliary output is output to the motor drive circuit. The output value is set in such a manner that both detection values are calculated stepwise by an arithmetic expression prepared in advance in the control means, or both values are directly crossed from a table set in advance. See, done.

[0010]

In the human power detecting device for an electric bicycle of this type, the method of detecting the tension of the chain is cheaper and more inexpensive than the method of detecting the tension of the chain as compared with the above-mentioned torsion bar method or planetary gear method. It has the advantage that it can be configured as follows.

However, in the case of the method of detecting the tension of the chain, the tension detection sensor is provided at an appropriate position of the chain wound around a relatively long distance between the pedal portion and the rear wheel, Although the chain is provided with a cover, there is a danger that the tension detection sensor may be modified to easily deviate from the power assist speed regulation of the electric bicycle.

Further, as described above, since the chain is wound over a relatively long distance between the pedal and the rear wheel, there is a general tendency to move downward due to gravity, and vibration from the road surface causes the chain to move downward. It is not uncommon to see false results and false detections.

On the other hand, when the tension detecting sensor is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body, the vehicle body may be damaged due to the fall of the vehicle body, or a large impact is applied at the same time until it is not damaged.
There is an inconvenience that reliability is lowered due to a failure. Also, since it is directly affected by the external natural environment such as wind and rain and the influence of sand dust and mud generated when the vehicle is running, there is a possibility that reliability such as erroneous detection may be impaired and the life of the device may be shortened. .

Further, the tension detecting sensor has a disadvantage that it is difficult to miniaturize it while ensuring necessary detection accuracy.

In view of this, the present invention has improved the human power detection device for detecting the tension of the chain to improve the reliability and reduce the cost, and the human power assistance using the human power detection device. The purpose is to obtain a power plant.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a human power input shaft, a human power output shaft, cords wound around these input / output shafts, and tension detecting means for detecting the tension of the cord. And a cord detection device and a tension detecting means are housed in a case.

As described above, since at least the cord and the tension detecting means are housed in the case, the tension detecting means is particularly protected by being isolated from the outside, and adverse effects from the external natural environment such as wind and rain and the vehicle. It is possible to avoid the adverse effects of dust and mud generated during traveling, to prevent the reliability such as erroneous detection from being impaired, and to avoid the possibility of shortening the life of the device. Furthermore, no modification is possible, which avoids the danger of deviating from the power assist speed regulation of the electric bicycle.

Further, in the present invention, the structure described in the second aspect, that is, the rope is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and a lever for applying tension to the rope is provided. In the case of a configuration in which the lever is rotatably installed, an idler that slides in contact with the rope is provided on one side, and a detection sensor is linked to the other side,
The rotational position of the lever differs depending on the balance between the tension of the cord and the tension applied to the cord, and if this position is detected by the detection sensor, the magnitude of human power can be determined.
Further, since the device is configured only by providing the idler and the detection sensor and rotatably providing the lever, the human power detection device according to the first aspect can be configured compactly.

Further, in the present invention, the structure described in the third aspect, that is, the rope is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and a lever for applying tension to the rope is provided. In the case of a configuration in which two levers are rotatably installed, an idler is provided at each tip that is in sliding contact with the cord, and a detection sensor is linked to the end of one lever. In addition to the same effects as those of the second aspect, the other lever acts so as not to cause the slack of the cord, so that the human power can be detected more reliably.

Further, in the present invention, the structure described in the fourth aspect, that is, the input / output shaft is provided in the vertical direction, and the rope body of the portion which is in sliding contact with the idler is within 45 degrees from the vertical direction. In the case of the configuration provided in the up-down direction, it is possible to eliminate the tendency of the rope body to move downward due to gravity, and it is also possible to avoid swinging the rope body due to vibration from the road surface. An erroneous detection can be prevented, and a highly reliable human power detection device can be obtained.

In the present specification, the rope means a general drive transmission member such as a chain or a belt.

Although a general sensor is used as the detection sensor, a potentiometer can be easily used.

Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 7, a human power input shaft, a human power output shaft, cords wound around these input / output shafts, and tension of the cords. And a motor for applying a driving force to the human power output shaft, and at least the cord, the tension detection means and the motor are housed in a case. .

Since at least the cord, the tension detecting means and the motor are housed in the case as described above, the tension detecting means and the motor are protected by being isolated from the outside, and are protected from the external natural environment such as wind and rain. It is possible to avoid the adverse effects and the adverse effects of dust and mud generated when the vehicle is running, and to prevent the reliability such as erroneous detection from being impaired and the possibility of shortening the life of the device. Further, the tension detecting means cannot be modified, and the danger of deviating from the power assist speed regulation of the electric bicycle can be avoided. Further, since the motor as the drive source is incorporated in the case, the device can be made compact.

Further, in the present invention, the structure described in claim 8, that is, the human-power output shaft is a shaft different from the shaft intended for driving, and the human-power output shaft is used for driving output. In the case of the structure in which the gear is attached, the human power output shaft is provided between the human power input shaft (for example, the crank shaft) and the shaft for driving (for example, the rear wheel shaft). The cords transmit the driving force to the shaft intended for driving through the gears. Therefore, as in the prior art, a rope (for example, a chain) wound around a relatively long member between a human power input shaft (for example, a crank shaft) and a shaft for driving (for example, a shaft of a rear wheel). The tension of the cord wound around the human power input / output shaft, which can be set to a relatively short interval, can be detected, unlike the detection of the tension of the cord. Can be removed,
False detection due to this can be avoided.

In the present invention, the construction described in claim 9 is provided, that is, the rope is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and a lever for applying tension to the rope is provided. In the case of a configuration in which the lever is rotatably installed, an idler that slides in contact with the rope is provided on one side, and a detection sensor is linked to the other side,
The rotational position of the lever differs depending on the balance between the tension of the cord and the tension applied to the cord, and if this position is detected by the detection sensor, the magnitude of human power can be determined.
Further, since the device is configured only by providing the idler and the detection sensor and rotatably providing the lever, the human power detecting device according to the seventh aspect, and further, the human power assisting power device can be configured compactly. it can.

Further, in the present invention, the structure described in claim 10 is provided, that is, the rope is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and a lever for applying tension to the rope is provided. In the case of a configuration in which two levers are rotatably installed, an idler is provided at each tip that is in sliding contact with the cord, and a detection sensor is linked to the end of one lever. In addition to the same operation and effect as those of the ninth aspect, the other lever acts so as not to cause the slack of the cord, so that the human power can be detected more reliably.

Also in the case of the human-assisted power unit of the present invention, it is desirable that the rope is a chain or a belt.

As described above, according to the human power detecting device of the present invention and the human power assist power device using the human power detecting device,
By reasonably arranging the main components of the human power detection device or human power assist power device that detects the driving force of the human power and housing them in the case, a compact and highly reliable device as a whole can be obtained at low cost. be able to.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, the electric bicycle 1 of this example has wheels 4 and 5 mounted in front of and behind a frame 2 formed by combining a plurality of pipe members, as in the conventional bicycle.
The frame 2 includes a front fork 2a that pivotally supports a front wheel 4.
A back fork 2b that pivotally supports the rear wheel 5, and a main pipe 2c that supports both forks 2a and 2b.
Standing pipe 2 provided above this main pipe 2c
The saddle 3a on which the driver sits is attached to the upper end of the standing pipe 2d, and the handle 3b is attached to the upper end of the front fork 2a.

Below the main pipe 2c, a manpower-assisting power unit A having a horizontally supported crankshaft 11 is mounted, and pedal arms 7a are mounted at both ends of the crankshaft 11, respectively. A pedal 7 is pivotally supported at the tip of each pedal arm 7a. Further, below the main pipe 2c and in front of the human power assisting power unit A, a battery unit 8 for supplying electric power to the human power assisting power unit A is mounted. In this example, a human power detection device, which will be described later, is installed in the human power assisting power unit A.

A main key switch 8a for starting the operation of the electric bicycle 1 is provided on the side of the case in the battery unit 8, and a battery group for power supply, a control circuit, an accessory circuit and the like are housed. . These storage batteries are connected in a predetermined manner, and are provided so as to be able to output a predetermined voltage, for example, 24V for a motor.
Then, the electric power from the battery unit 8 is supplied to a device mounted on the electric bicycle 1, for example, the human power assisting power unit A.
Is supplied to the motor M, the sensor, each accessory circuit, and the like to activate each device.

Further, the human power assisting power unit A has a motor M, a speed reducer, a human power / motor driving force combining mechanism, and a human power detecting device B (since this example is used for a bicycle, the pedaling force of the driver is detected. The human-power input shaft 11 (crank shaft) to which the pedal 7 is connected via the pedal arm 7a is connected to the combining mechanism, and the output of the combining mechanism is the output gear (main gear). (In the example, the driving sprocket)
Connected to 37. The driving sprocket and the driven sprocket 6 coaxially fixed to the rear wheel 5 are bridged between them and connected by a chain 9. Although not shown in the drawings, basically, the same brake lever, brake mechanism, night driving light and the like provided on the handle 3a are the same as those of the conventional bicycle.

In such an electric bicycle 1, the front wheels 4 are the handlebars 3 provided on the front fork 2a.
While being steered by a, the rear wheel 5 is rotationally driven by the driver pedaling the pedal 7, and the electric bicycle 1 travels manually as in a normal bicycle. That is, when the pedal 7 is pedaled by the driver's manual force, the output gear (driving sprocket) 37 is rotationally driven through the combination mechanism, and the driving force of the output gear (driving sprocket) 37 is changed to the chain 9
Is transmitted to the driven sprocket 6 of the rear wheel 5 via the, the rear wheel 5 is rotationally driven, and the electric bicycle 1 travels forward by human power.

Further, the driver can select the main key switch 8a.
When is turned on, electric power is supplied from the battery unit 8 to each of the mounted devices, and a human power assisting operation for reducing the load on the driver as the electric bicycle 1 is started, and the electric motor M of the human power assisting power unit A is driven by a predetermined motor. Auxiliary output can be obtained.

2 and 3 show a human power detecting device B and a human power assisting power device A using the human power detecting device B. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the human power detection device B will be described first, and then the human power auxiliary power device A will be referred to.

2 and 3, the human power detecting device B
Includes a human-power input shaft 11, a human-power output shaft 12, a chain 13 as a cord wound around these input / output shafts, and a tension detecting means 14 for detecting the tension of the chain 13. The tension detecting means 14 is housed in the case 15. In the case of this example, the human power input shaft 11 is the crankshaft of the bicycle, and the chain 13
Is meshed with and wound around the gears 11a and 12a of the human-power input shaft 11 and the human-power output shaft 12, respectively.

As described above, since at least the chain 13 and the tension detecting means 14 are housed in the case 15, the tension detecting means 14 is protected by being isolated from the outside, and adverse effects from the external natural environment such as wind and rain and the like. It is possible to avoid the adverse effects of sand dust and mud generated when the vehicle is running, to prevent the reliability such as erroneous detection from being impaired, and to avoid the possibility of shortening the life of the device. Furthermore, no modification is possible, which avoids the danger of deviating from the speed regulation of the electric bicycle.

The chain 13 wound around the gears 11a and 12a in mesh with each other is provided with a slack, and in this example, two levers 16 and 17 for applying tension to the chain 13 are provided. ing.

The levers 16 and 17 have shafts 16a and 17
It is rotatably installed with a as a fulcrum, and idlers 16b and 17b slidably contacting the chain 13 are rotatably provided on one side thereof, and the levers 16 and 17 are provided in a direction to apply tension to the chain 13. Elastic bodies 18 and 19 for urging the levers 16 and 17 are provided. Elastic body 18,
In this example, a coil spring 19 is used. The elastic body 18 mounted on one of the levers 16 has a large spring coefficient capable of withstanding a certain pedaling force, and the other elastic body 19 is the chain 13 Anything that has a spring force enough to remove the slack when it sags is sufficient.

Further, a detection sensor 20 is linked to the base of the lever 16. That is, the gear piece 21 that rotates together with the lever 16 is fixed to the base of the lever 16,
Then, the tooth portion 21a of the gear piece 21 which rotates about the shaft 16a as a fulcrum according to the rotation of the lever 16 meshes with the detection sensor 20, in this example, the tooth portion 20a around the shaft of the potentiometer, and the lever 16 moves. The rotation angle is converted into the resistance value of the potentiometer and taken out.

Therefore, when the pedaling force increases, the crankshaft side gear 11a pulls the chain 13 to increase the tension between the gears 12a, as shown in FIG.
The lever 16 rotates (clockwise in FIG. 4) against the elastic force of the elastic body 18 (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) that tries to press the gear 3, thereby rotating the gear piece 21 in the clockwise direction. Then, the detection sensor 20, in this example, the axis of the potentiometer is rotated counterclockwise. In this way, the amount of rotation of the potentiometer shaft is taken out as a resistance value, and the pedal effort, that is, the human power is detected.

That is, the balance between the tension of the chain 13 and the tension applied to the chain 13 causes the lever 1
The rotation positions of 6 are different, and if this position is detected by the detection sensor 20, the magnitude of human power can be determined. Further, since the device is configured only by providing the idler 16b and the detection sensor 20 and rotatably providing the lever 16, the human power detection device B can be made compact.

In this example, two levers for applying tension to the chain 13 are provided, and the levers 16 and 17 are
It is rotatably installed and has a chain 13 at each end.
Since the idlers 16b and 17b that are slidably contacted with each other are provided, and the detection sensor 20 is linked to the end portion of one lever 16, the other lever 17 does not cause the slack of the chain 13 (see FIG. 4). See)
Further reliable human power detection can be performed.

Further, in this example, the input / output shafts 11 and 12 are
Is provided in the up-down direction, and the chain 13 of the portion that is in sliding contact with the idler 16b is provided in the up-down direction within 45 degrees from the vertical direction. Therefore, the tendency of the chain 13 to move downward due to gravity can be removed as much as possible, and the chain 13 can be prevented from swinging due to vibrations from the road surface, which can prevent erroneous detection and improve reliability. A high human power detection device B can be obtained.

Next, the manpower-assisting power unit A will be described.

The manpower-assisting power unit A of this example has a manpower input shaft 11, a manpower output shaft 12, a chain 13 as a cord wound around these input / output shafts, and a tension for detecting the tension of the chain 13. A detection unit 14 and a motor M that applies a driving force to the human-power output shaft 12 are provided, and at least the chain 13, the tension detection unit 14, and the motor M include a case 15.
It is housed inside. In the case of this example, as described above, the human power input shaft 11 is the crankshaft of the bicycle,
Further, the chain 13 is wound so as to mesh with the gears 11a and 12a of the human power input shaft 11 and the human power output shaft 12, respectively.

As described above, at least the chain 13, the tension detecting means 14 and the motor M are housed in the case 15, so that the tension detecting means 14 and the motor M are particularly protected by being isolated from the outside and the outside such as wind and rain. It is possible to avoid the adverse effects from the natural environment and the adverse effects of dust and mud generated when the vehicle is running, and to prevent the reliability such as erroneous detection from being impaired and the possibility of shortening the life of the device. Further, the tension detecting means 14 cannot be modified, and the danger of deviating from the speed regulation of the electric bicycle can be avoided. In addition, the motor M that is the drive source is case 1
Since it is incorporated in the device 5, the device can be made compact.

A one-way clutch mechanism 32 is mounted on the output shaft 31 of the motor M, and an intermediate gear unit 33 is installed between the motor M and the manpower output shaft 12, and the intermediate gear unit 33 has a large size. A toothed belt 36 is wound between the radial gear 34 and the one-way clutch mechanism 32. In addition, the small-diameter gear 35 of the intermediate gear unit 33
And a gear 12b fixed to the human power output shaft 12 mesh with each other.

Therefore, when the motor M is rotationally driven, the rotation is performed by the output shaft 31, the one-way clutch mechanism 32, the toothed belt 36, the intermediate gear unit 33, and the gear 12.
The driving force of the output gear (driving sprocket) 37 that is transmitted to the human-power output shaft 12 via b and is fixed to the other end of the human-power output shaft 12 passes through the chain 9 as described above. It is transmitted to the driven sprocket 6 of the wheel 5 and the rear wheel 5
Is driven to rotate, and the electric bicycle 1 travels forward by the motor M.

When the motor M is not driven, the rotational driving force of the pedal 7 due to human power reaches the human power output shaft 12 from the human power input shaft 11 via the chain 13 and the output gear (driving sprocket) 37. The driving force is transmitted to the driven sprocket 6 of the rear wheel 5 via the chain 9, the rear wheel 5 is rotationally driven, and the electric bicycle 1 travels forward by human power.

When the motor drive is stopped due to running speed conditions, the one-way clutch mechanism 32 is used.
Thus, it is possible to prevent the human-powered driving force from being transmitted to the motor M.

Next, the operation of transmitting the auxiliary driving force in the human power assisting power unit A of such an electric bicycle will be described. First, a normal driving force transmission operation will be described, and then a motor driving force transmission operation that assists the human power will be described.

When the driver pedals the pedal 7 in the forward direction,
The human power input shaft 11 (crank shaft) rotates clockwise in FIG. 2, and the rotational driving force due to this human power is transmitted to the human power output shaft 12 via the chain 13, and the driving force of the output gear (driving sprocket) 37 is changed. It is transmitted to the driven sprocket 6 of the rear wheel 5 via the chain 9, the rear wheel 5 is rotationally driven, and the electric bicycle 1 travels forward by human power.

At this time, when the driver pedals the pedal 7 in the reverse direction, the manpower input shaft 11 (crankshaft) rotates in the opposite direction, but the one-way clutch mechanism 32 causes the motor M to drive the manpower. Is never transmitted.

Next, when the pedaling force increases, the gear 11a on the crankshaft side pulls the chain 13 and the tension between the gears 12a increases, and the elastic force of the elastic body 18 that presses the chain 13 (see FIG. 4). Counterclockwise), the lever 16 rotates (clockwise in FIG. 4), which causes the gear piece 21 to rotate clockwise as well, causing the detection sensor 20, in this example, the axis of the potentiometer to rotate counterclockwise. It will be rotated in the direction. In this way, the amount of rotation of the potentiometer shaft is taken out as a resistance value, and the pedal effort, that is, the human power is detected. The required auxiliary driving force of the motor is determined based on this human power and the traveling speed detected by the speed detecting means (not shown).

Further, the output gear (driving sprocket) 37
Is transmitted to the driven sprocket 6 of the rear wheel 5 via the chain 9, and the rear wheel 5 is rotationally driven to drive the electric bicycle 1
Moves forward.

When the human power is applied as described above and the traveling speed is within the specified auxiliary range, the control circuit outputs a predetermined motor auxiliary output command based on the traveling speed and the human driving force. The motor M operates,
With this motor auxiliary output, a human power assisting operation is performed.

In this example, the detection sensor 20 is attached to the base of the lever 16 on which the elastic body 18 having a large spring coefficient is mounted.
However, the other lever 17 may be provided with a detection sensor. Further, although the lever for rotating the tension detecting means 14 is used, a mechanism having a mechanism for projecting and retracting in the linear direction may be used. Similarly, the mechanism for removing the slack of the chain 13
In addition to a rotating lever, a mechanism having a mechanism that extends and retracts in a linear direction may be used. Further, the case where the chain is used as the rope has been described, but not limited to the chain, a general flexible drive transmission member such as a belt can be used. The detection sensor has been described by taking the potentiometer as an example, but the detection sensor is not limited to this, and a general sensor can be used.
Further, although the present invention has been described by taking the case of being applied to a bicycle as an example, the present invention can also be appropriately applied to a light vehicle such as a boat driven by other human power.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, the human power input shaft, the human power output shaft, the cords wound around these input / output shafts, and the tension detecting means for detecting the tension of the cords. When,
In particular, since at least the cord and the tension detecting means are accommodated in the case, the tension detecting device is particularly configured to detect the tension. The means is isolated and protected from the outside, and does not directly suffer the adverse effects from the external natural environment such as wind and rain, and the adverse effects of sand dust and mud generated when the vehicle is running, and damages reliability such as false detection. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the risk of shortening the life of the device. Furthermore, no modification is possible, which avoids the danger of deviating from the power assist speed regulation of the electric bicycle.

Further, in the present invention, as in the structure described in the second aspect, the lever is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and at the same time, a lever for applying tension to the cord. The lever is rotatably installed, and when one of the levers is provided with an idler that is in sliding contact with the cord and the other is linked with a detection sensor, the tension of the cord and the tension are applied to the cord. The lever rotation position varies depending on the balance with the tension, and if this position is detected by the detection sensor, the magnitude of human power can be determined. Further, since the device is configured only by providing the idler and the detection sensor and rotatably providing the lever, the human power detection device according to the first aspect can be configured compactly.

Further, in the present invention, as in the structure described in claim 3, the lever is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and at the same time, a lever for applying tension to the cord. Two are provided, each lever is rotatably installed, and each end is provided with an idler that is in sliding contact with the cord body. Furthermore, if a detection sensor is linked to the end of one lever, In addition to the same effects as those of the second aspect, the other lever acts so as not to cause the slack of the cord, so that the human power can be detected more reliably.

Further, in the present invention, as in the structure described in the fourth aspect, the input / output shaft is provided in the up-down direction, and the rope body of the portion slidingly contacting the idler is within 45 degrees from the vertical direction. If it is installed vertically, the tendency of the rope to move downward due to gravity can be eliminated as much as possible, and the rope can be prevented from swaying due to vibration from the road surface. A highly reliable human power detection device capable of preventing detection can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 7, a human power input shaft, a human power output shaft, a cord wound around these input / output shafts, and a tension of the cord. And a tension detecting means for detecting a force and a motor for applying a driving force to the human power output shaft, and at least the cord, the tension detecting means and the motor are housed in a case. Therefore, at least the cord, the tension detecting means, and the motor are housed in the case, so that the tension detecting means and the motor are protected by being isolated from the outside, and adverse effects from the external natural environment such as wind and rain, and the vehicle. It is possible to avoid the adverse effects of dust and mud generated during traveling, to prevent the reliability such as erroneous detection from being impaired, and to avoid the possibility of shortening the life of the device. Further, the tension detecting means cannot be modified, and the danger of deviating from the power assist speed regulation of the electric bicycle can be avoided. Further, since the motor as the drive source is incorporated in the case, the device can be made compact.

Further, in the present invention, as in the structure described in claim 8, the human-power output shaft is a shaft different from the shaft intended for driving, and the human-power output shaft is used for driving output. When the gear is attached, the human power output shaft is provided between the human power input shaft (for example, the crank shaft) and the shaft (for example, the rear wheel shaft) intended for driving, and the output shaft The cords transmit the driving force to the shaft intended for driving through the gear. Therefore, as in the prior art, a rope (for example, a chain) wound around a relatively long member between a human power input shaft (for example, a crank shaft) and a shaft for driving (for example, a shaft of a rear wheel). The tension of the cord wound around the human power input / output shaft, which can be set to a relatively short interval, can be detected, unlike the detection of the tension of the cord. It can be removed, and erroneous detection due to this can be avoided.

Further, in the present invention, as in the structure described in the ninth aspect, the lever is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and at the same time, a lever for applying tension to the cord. The lever is rotatably installed, and when one of the levers is provided with an idler that is in sliding contact with the cord and the other is linked with a detection sensor, the tension of the cord and the tension are applied to the cord. The lever rotation position varies depending on the balance with the tension, and if this position is detected by the detection sensor, the magnitude of human power can be determined. Further, since the device is configured only by providing the idler and the detection sensor and rotatably providing the lever, the human power detecting device according to the seventh aspect, and further, the human power assisting power device can be configured compactly. it can.

Further, in the present invention, as in the structure described in the tenth aspect, the lever is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and at the same time, a lever for applying tension to the cord. Two are provided, each lever is rotatably installed, and each end is provided with an idler that is in sliding contact with the cord body. Furthermore, if a detection sensor is linked to the end of one lever, In addition to the same operational effect as the ninth aspect, the other lever acts so as not to cause the slack of the cord, so that the human power can be detected more reliably.

As described above, according to the human power detecting device of the present invention and the human power assist power device using the human power detecting device,
By reasonably arranging the main components of the human power detection device or human power assist power device that detects the driving force of the human power and housing them in the case, a compact and highly reliable device as a whole can be obtained at low cost. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overall schematic configuration of a power-assisted electric bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional front view showing a human power detecting device of the present example and a human power assist power unit using the human power detecting device.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a human power detection device of the present example and a human power assist power device using the human power detection device.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional front view showing a human power detection device of the present example and a human power auxiliary power device using the human power detection device.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an overall schematic configuration of a conventional power-assisted electric bicycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electric Bicycle 2 Frame Body 2a Front Fork 2b Back Fork 2c Main Pipe 2d Standpipe 3a Saddle 3b Handle 4 Front Wheel 5 Rear Wheel 6 Driven Sprocket 7 Pedal 7a Pedal Arm 8 Battery Unit 8a Main Key Switch 9 Chain 11 Human Power Input Shaft 11a Gear 12 Human output shaft 12a Gear 12b Gear 13 Chain 14 Tension detecting means 15 Case 16 Lever 16a Shaft 16b Idler 17 Lever 17a Shaft 17b Idler 18 Elastic body 19 Elastic body 20 Detection sensor 20a Teeth 21 Output shaft 21a Teeth 31 Output shaft 32 one-way clutch machine 33 intermediate gear unit 34 large-diameter gear 35 small-diameter gear 36 toothed belt 37 output gear A human power auxiliary power unit B human power detection device J human power auxiliary power unit M motor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Yutaka Takada 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kuniaki Tanaka 3-3.5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Epson Within the corporation

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A human-power input shaft, a human-power output shaft, a cord wound around these input / output shafts, and a tension detector for detecting the tension of the cord, and at least the cord and A human power detection device characterized in that the tension detection means is housed in a case. 2. The rope is provided with a slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and a lever for applying tension to the rope is provided. The lever is rotatably installed. The human power detection device according to claim 1, wherein an idler that is in sliding contact with the cord is provided on the other side, and a detection sensor is linked to the other side. 3. The cord is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and two levers for applying tension to the cord are provided, and each lever is rotatably installed. The human power detection device according to claim 1, further comprising: an idler provided at each tip so as to slidably contact the cord, and a detection sensor is linked to an end of one lever. 4. The input / output shaft is provided in a vertical direction,
The part of the rope that is in sliding contact with the idler is 4 from the vertical direction.
The human power detection device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the human power detection device is provided in a vertical direction within 5 degrees. 5. The human power detection device according to claim 1, wherein the rope is a chain or a belt. 6. The human power detection device according to claim 3, wherein the detection sensor is a potentiometer. 7. A human power input shaft, a human power output shaft, cords wound around these input / output shafts, tension detecting means for detecting tension of the cords, and a driving force applied to the human power output shaft. A motor for applying force, and at least the cord, the tension detecting means, and the motor are housed in a case. 8. The human-power output shaft is a shaft different from a shaft intended for driving, and a gear for driving output is attached to the human-power output shaft. Human power auxiliary power unit. 9. The rope is slackened and wound around the input / output shaft, and a lever for applying tension to the rope is provided, and the lever is rotatably installed. 8. The human power assist power unit according to claim 7, further comprising an idler slidably contacting the cord and a detection sensor linked to the other. 10. The rope is provided with slack and is wound around the input / output shaft, and two levers for applying tension to the rope are provided, and each lever is rotatably installed. 8. The human power assisting power unit according to claim 7, further comprising an idler provided at each tip so as to slidably contact the cord, and a detection sensor is linked to an end of one lever. 11. The human-assisted power unit according to claim 7, wherein the cord is a chain or a belt.