JPH09254864A - Electric bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct the rational electric control for an electric bicycle by providing an electric driving device with a zero point correcting function of setting a built-in torque detector to the zero point when a power switch is turned on. SOLUTION: A power switch 6 is so constructed that in the case of using an electric bicycle, first when a designated key is inserted in a position A of a keyway 8 of an electric switch and turned to a position B, a key member 9 is released. Subsequently, when the key is further turned to a position C, the power is applied to the bicycle, a micro-computer built in an electric driving device inspects a control circuit, zero point correction is performed for a torque detector, and if the output voltage at the zero point is set in the range of 0.3-1.0V, no abnormality is decided, and an indicating lamp in the bicycle main body is extinguished to be put in the standby state. On the other hand, if the output voltage at the zero point is not set withint a designated range, abnormality is decided, similarly to the abnormality of the control circuit, an indicating lamp in the bicycle main body is continuously lighted, and the electric driving device is put in the inoperative state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric bicycle capable of operating an electric motor drive device according to a pedal load, and more particularly to an electric bicycle which detects the speed of the bicycle and assists the pedal load within a prescribed range. The present invention relates to an electric bicycle having a drive device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various electric bicycles have been proposed which have a driving force by a human power and a driving force by an electric motor in parallel and have a function of assisting the driving force by the electric motor within a specified range according to a pedal load. The range covered by the device is 50% from 0 to 15 km / h, 15 km / h
From 24 km / h to 2 km / h, gradually decrease according to the vehicle speed.
It must be controlled to be 0% at 4 km / h.

[0003]

For this reason, the electric drive system comprises a so-called torque detector for detecting pedal load, a speed detector, an electric motor, a speed reducer section and a control circuit section. The control circuit unit controls the electric motor on the basis of the information from the speed controller and the speed detector to realize the power assist within the specified range.

In addition, rechargeable batteries are used as electric energy in electric bicycles. Specifically, the structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-40878. Electric motors, speed reducers, control circuits, and various detectors are installed around the main pipe and seat pipe of the bicycle body, and there are wirings for electrically connecting them, and the whole is covered with a resin cover. A power switch for operating the electric bicycle is arranged on the upper surface or the side surface of the resin case under the handle.

Before turning on the bicycle, first turn on the power switch (generally called the main switch),
The built-in microcomputer inspects the control circuit section, and if there is no abnormality thereafter, it goes into a standby state and is ready for operation. When the pedal is pulled out, the required output of the electric drive device is determined by the information from the built-in pedal rotation speed detector and load torque detector, and the electric motor is operated.

For the output of the electric drive device, it is essential to accurately grasp the pedal load torque, and it is common to convert the reaction force of the planetary gear or the torsion of the torsion bar into the displacement of the potentiometer and take out it as an electric signal. Is. When the torque detection mechanism is incorporated in the electric drive device, zero point adjustment is inevitable. However, this zero point adjustment may lead to an increase in the number of assembly steps, and further, the zero point set at the initial time may be displaced while using the bicycle, and in some cases, it may be operated at a higher output than a predetermined value. There is a fear.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to perform rational electric control of an electric bicycle.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a pedal drive device driven by human power and an electric drive device for assisting the pedal drive device. The electric drive device is a power switch. When the power is turned on, the built-in torque detector has a zero point correction function for setting the zero point, so that the electric drive device can be properly operated.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a pedal drive device driven by human power and an electric drive device for assisting the pedal drive device. The electric drive device turns on a power switch. At this time, it has a zero-point correction function for setting the zero point of the built-in torque detector.

Further, the range of 0-point correction is 0.3 to 1.0V.
The output voltage of the torque detector is set so that

The range of the 0-point correction is 0.3-1.
When it deviates from 0V, the electric drive device is not operated via the torque detector.

A power switch is installed behind the saddle. Further, the power switch also serves as at least one of unlocking the battery or locking the wheel.

As described above, since the electric drive device has a zero-point correction function for setting the zero point of the built-in torque detector when the power switch is turned on, accurate torque detection is always performed. It is a thing.

Further, by setting the 0-point correction range within a predetermined value, the 0-point correction of the torque detector can be normally performed within the expected range.

Further, since the power switch also serves as at least one of unlocking the battery and locking the wheels, one switch can provide a safety measure.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1) In FIG. 1, a vehicle body frame 1 has the same basic structure as a conventional bicycle, and a pipe for integrally connecting a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3 and a saddle 4 has a saddle in the center of the vehicle body. It is integrated at the lower end of the pipe. The electric drive device 5 is incorporated in the lower outer center portion of the vehicle body frame 1, and the power switch 6 is incorporated between the rear wheel 3 and the battery box 7.

The electric drive unit 5 has a built-in pedal rotation speed detector and a pedal load detector, and obtains information that the bicycle is driven by human power from the pedal rotation speed and the vehicle speed at that time. ing.

Information on the load torque of the pedal is obtained from the pedal load detector, and the electric drive unit 5 is obtained from this information.
The output of is determined and the electric motor is operated. The power switch 6 is arranged at a position that is out of reach of the passenger while sitting on the saddle 4 so as not to be opened and closed during traveling.
As shown in FIG. 2, when using the electric bicycle, the power switch 6 first releases a key body 9 by inserting a predetermined key into the key hole 8 of the power switch and turning it to the position B.

Next, when the position is further turned to the position C, the power is turned on, the microcomputer incorporated in the electric drive unit 5 inspects the control circuit, and the torque detector is turned to 0.
Point correction is performed, and if the output voltage at point 0 is set in the range of 0.3 to 1.0V, it is determined that there is no abnormality, the indicator light on the bicycle body is turned off, and the bicycle enters the standby state.

On the other hand, when the output voltage at the 0th point is not set within the above range, it is regarded as an abnormality, and similarly to the abnormality of the control circuit, the indicator lamp on the bicycle body is continuously turned on and the electric drive unit 5 is operated.
Deactivate.

If the 0-point set voltage deviates from the range of 0.3 to 1.0 V, it is clearly expected that an abnormality has occurred in the torque detector, so it is necessary to inspect and repair it.

The zero-point correction of the torque detector needs to be performed in a state where the pedal is not substantially loaded, and is supposed to be performed when the power switch of the electric bicycle is turned on. The condition is that you have not put your feet on.

Therefore, if the power switch 6 is opened / closed while the electric bicycle is being driven, the zero point correction may not be performed and the electric drive device 5 may not be activated. In order to avoid this, the power supply is turned off. It is necessary to set the arrangement of the switch 6 at a position where the switch cannot be opened or closed during operation.

When the rechargeable battery is removed, the battery fixing device is released by turning the key to the position D so that the battery can be taken out. When parking a bicycle, turn the key to the position B, slide the locking lever 10 downward, and check that the key body 9 has been inserted into the facing keyhole 11 so as to penetrate between the three spokes of the rear wheel. After checking, rotate to the position A and pull out the key.

To fix the rechargeable battery, the rotary battery fixing device is set to the free position up to the position D, and after the battery is mounted, the key is set to the positions C to A again. FIG. 3 shows a commonly used torque detection configuration. When the pedal is turned, the planetary gear shaft 12 that is integral with the crankshaft rotates, the planetary gear 13 rotates within the inner gear 14 while rotating, and the sprocket 15 that is integral with this rotates. It is transmitted to the rear wheels by the chain.

At this time, the load applied to the pedal is transmitted as a reaction force to the fixed tooth 16 of the planetary gear, and the fixed tooth is pressed by the spring 18 via the torque arm 17.
The fixed teeth push the spring by the reaction force of the pedal torque, and the torque arm moves, so that the shaft 19 of the potentiometer integrated with the torque arm rotates and is taken out as a voltage signal.

Normally, when the pedal load torque is 0, the output voltage of the potentiometer is set to a constant value larger than 0, and the relationship between the torque and the voltage from that point to the maximum load torque is obtained in advance and written as data in the microcomputer. In this embodiment, when the power switch is turned on, the microcomputer reads the output voltage from the potentiometer at that time and sets the value as 0 point.

Then, the output voltage of the potentiometer,
The voltage difference at the zero point is read, the load torque is determined during operation, and the electric drive device is operated. Note that the reason why the output voltage of the potentiometer at load torque 0 is not set to 0 is that the potentiometer may fail and output 0, which makes it impossible to determine an abnormality. The minimum value of the output voltage was 0.3V.

[0030]

According to the present invention, since the zero point correction of the torque detector is performed after the power switch is turned on, the torque can always be detected accurately and the electric drive unit can be properly operated. If you do not have a zero point correction function,
Since the output voltage is set to the specified value when the torque detector of the electric drive unit is assembled, the assembly adjustment is unavoidable, and the number of man-hours is greatly increased. In addition, the power switch, rechargeable battery lock release switch, and lock can be done in one place with one key, and the power supply can be prevented from opening and closing while cycling, providing a convenient and safe electric bicycle.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an electric bicycle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the function of the key.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a torque detection unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Electric drive 6 Power switch

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pedal drive device driven by human power, and an electric drive device for assisting the pedal drive device. The electric drive device has 0 point of a built-in torque detector when a power switch is turned on. An electric bicycle characterized by having a zero-point correction function for setting. 2. The electric bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the output voltage of the torque detector is set so that the range of 0-point correction is 0.3 to 1.0V. 3. The electric bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive device is not operated via the torque detector when the range of 0-point correction deviates from 0.3 to 1.0V. 4. The electric bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the power switch is arranged at the rear of the saddle. 5. The electric bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the power switch also serves as at least one of unlocking the battery and locking the wheel.