JPH11124076A - Motor-assisted bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To activate an electric motor to obtain a specified vehicle speed of a motor-assisted bicycle with a plurality of changeable shifts and generating an assist force by the electric motor when an user pushes a bicycle, without increasing the number of parts or cost. SOLUTION: A speed change operation device 901 equipped with a shift operation lever 921 is constructed in a manner that the shift operation lever 921 can be operated when a specific shift is selected from a plurality of shifts with the specified shift maintained. The electric motor is activated thereby following a shift operation of the shift operation lever 921 , at a specific shift when a user pushes the bicycle, is detected by a push-walk switch 741 .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric assisted bicycle capable of switching a plurality of gears by operating a shift operation lever, and enabling power assist by an electric motor when a person pushes and walks a vehicle body. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 4 (1999) discloses a system in which the assist power exerted by an electric motor is controlled so as to be slightly lower than the walking speed when walking while pushing a vehicle body.
It is already known from -358988.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the assist power by the electric motor is controlled so that the vehicle speed becomes constant when the vehicle is pushed while pushing the push-and-walk switch. This requires a means for detecting the vehicle speed, which leads to an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost.

In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable that the assist power of the electric motor is fixed at the time of pushing and walking the vehicle body. However, in an electrically assisted bicycle in which the gear position can be switched by the gearshift device, the vehicle speed changes depending on which gear speed the gearshift device is in when pushing and walking. If means for detecting the gear position of the speed change operation device is provided to solve the problem, the number of parts and the cost increase as in the case described above.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and only when the speed change device selects a specific one of a plurality of shift speeds, the assist power of the electric motor at the time of pushing while walking is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric assist bicycle that can operate an electric motor so that a predetermined vehicle speed can be obtained when pushing and walking without increasing the number of parts and increasing the cost by increasing the number of parts. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of shift speeds can be switched by operating a shift operation lever, and an electric motor is provided when a person pushes and walks on a vehicle body. In a motor-assisted bicycle capable of assisting power with a motor, it is possible to provide the shift operation lever and operate the shift operation lever, which has selected a specific shift speed among a plurality of shift speeds, while maintaining the specific shift speed. And a push-walk switch that detects the operation of the shift operation lever at the specific gear when the person pushes and walks on the vehicle body and activates the electric motor.

[0007] According to such a configuration, by operating the shift operation lever at the position corresponding to the specific gear when pushing the vehicle, the turning operation of the shift operation lever is detected by the push-walk switch. Will be. Accordingly, when the push-walking state of the vehicle body is detected by the push-walk switch, the gear stage is determined to be the specific gear stage, and there is no need for a special means for detecting the gear stage selected at the time of the push-walk, which increases the number of parts and The electric motor can be operated at the time of pushing while walking while avoiding an increase in cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the speed change operating device further comprises a fixed support shaft and the support which individually corresponds to each shift speed. A shift operation lever rotatably supported by the support shaft so as to be capable of switching a plurality of switching positions arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the shaft, and a shift operation lever in the circumferential direction of the support shaft among the switching positions; At a specific switching position arranged at one end along the axis, a specific gear position corresponding to the specific switching position can be held and a rotation operation limited to a rotation amount limited to one side along the circumferential direction can be performed. It is characterized by being performed.

According to such a configuration, when the vehicle is pushed and walked, the shift operation is performed to the specific switching position arranged at one end in the circumferential direction among the plurality of switching positions arranged in the circumferential direction of the support shaft. It is sufficient to operate the operation lever by a further limited amount of rotation while the lever is operated, and it is possible to easily determine the switching position where the shift operation lever should be arranged when the vehicle body is pushed and walked, without being lost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the shift operation device further comprises a shift operation lever in addition to the shift operation lever and the support shaft. A return spring biasing to one side along the circumferential direction, and engagement means for engaging the shift operation lever at each switching position, and a biasing direction of the shift operation lever by the return spring at each switching position. Is turned between the shift operation lever and the engagement means at the specific switching position arranged at the opposite end by the amount of rotation limited to the side opposite to the biasing direction when the vehicle is pushed and walked. It is characterized in that a clearance that enables a dynamic operation is set.

According to such a configuration, when the hand is released from the shift operation lever at the specific switching position, the shift operation lever is engaged with the engagement means and held at the specific switching position, and the push-push is performed. Sometimes, when the shift operation lever is rotated within the clearance, the state must not be maintained.
Since the shift operating lever returns to the specific switching position due to the spring force of the return spring, the shift operating lever is moved to the specific switching position in a normal traveling state in which the shift operating lever is used as the specific switching position to obtain power assist by the electric motor. There is no deviation from it.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric assist bicycle, FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a power unit, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a controller. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transmission when the highest gear is selected, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transmission when the lowest gear is selected, and FIG. 6 is a shift operation at the lowest gear. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 in a state where the lever is further rotated.

[0014] First, in FIG. 1, a vehicle body B of the motor-assisted bicycle includes a front frame 21 disposed between the front wheel W _F and the rear wheel W _R and a substantially U-shaped in side view, the rear wheel W _R And a rear frame 22 for supporting the same. Front frame 2
1 includes a head pipe 21a for supporting the front fork 23 for suspending the front wheel W _F steerably, the main frame portion 21b extending obliquely rearward downward from the head pipe 21a, and the bulge downward A curved portion 21c connected to the rear end of the main frame portion 21b and a seat frame portion 21d extending upward from the curved portion 21c are integrally connected to each other.
A bar handle 24 is provided at the upper end of the third handle 3.

A seat post 26 having a seat 25 at the upper end is mounted on the seat frame portion 21d of the front frame 21 so that the vertical position of the seat 25 can be adjusted. A power unit 29 having an electric motor 28 is supported.

The rear frame 22 includes a power unit 29
The power unit 2 extends rearward and downward from the upper end of the curved portion 21c in the front frame 21 above the rear of the power unit 2.
9, a pair of left and right rear forks 30 extending substantially horizontally, and a pair of left and right stays 31 provided between the upper end of the seat frame portion 21d of the front frame 21 and the two rear forks 30. ... and a rear wheel W _R is rotatably supported to both the rear fork 30 ... between. Seat 2
5, a rear carrier 34 is disposed. The rear carrier 34 includes a support member 32 extending rearward from an upper end of the stay 31 and a support member 33 extending upward from a lower end of the stay 31. ... and are fixedly supported.

A crankshaft 36 having crank pedals 35 at both ends is rotatably supported by a casing 37 of the power unit 29 so that power can be transmitted from the crankshaft 36 and assist force from the electric motor 28 can be transmitted. Drive sprocket 38 which can also act
If, on the driven sprocket 39 disposed rear wheel W _R and coaxial power as possible transmitted to the rear wheel W _R, endless chain 40 so as to be covered by the chain case 41 is wound. Thus, the driven sprocket 39 and the rear wheel W
Between _R , a plurality of gears, for example, a three-gear transmission mechanism (not shown)
Is provided.

The operation of the electric motor 28 is controlled by a controller 42 fixedly supported on the front side of the power unit 29 and below the front frame 21.

A front basket 44 is attached to the head pipe 21a via a bracket 43. In addition, a battery storage case 45 disposed on the back of the front basket 44 is also attached to the bracket 43, and a battery 46 for supplying electric power to the electric motor 28 is stored in the battery storage case 45 so as to be insertable and removable. You.

A large part of the front frame 21 is covered with a cover 47, and a main switch 48 for supplying electric power from the battery 46 to the controller 42 and the electric motor 28 is disposed above the cover 47. Is done. Moreover, the cover 47 is formed by mutually connecting an upper cover 47a that covers the front frame 21 from above and a lower cover 47b that covers the front frame 21 from below. An opening (not shown) for facing the main switch 48 is provided.

In FIG. 2, the right end of the crankshaft 36 is rotatably supported by a casing 37.
0 is rotatably supported on the inner periphery of the crankshaft 36.
Is rotatably supported by a casing 37. A driving sprocket 38 around which the chain 40 is wound is connected to the rotary cylinder 50.

The pedaling force input to the crankshaft 36 by the crank pedals 35, 35 is transmitted to the drive sprocket 38 via power transmission means 51. An electric motor 28 is attached to the casing 37, and the output of the electric motor 28 is transmitted to the drive sprocket 38 via the reduction gear train 52 to assist the pedaling force of the crank pedals 35.

The power transmission means 51 includes a torsion bar 53 connected to the crankshaft 36 and a first one-way clutch 5 provided between the rotary cylinder 50 and the torsion bar 53.
And 4.

A slit 55 extending along the axis of the crankshaft 36 is provided. An arm 53a provided at one end of a torsion bar 53 attached to the slit 55 cannot rotate relative to the crankshaft 36. Is combined with
An arm 53b provided at the other end of the torsion bar 53
Are loosely fitted in the slit 55 with a gap formed between the left and right inner wall surfaces of the slit 55, and the torsion bar 53
Can twist and deform within a range in which the arm 53b moves by the gap.

The first one-way clutch 54 is provided between the arm 53b at the other end of the torsion bar 53 and the rotary cylinder 50. The first one-way clutch 54 presses the crank pedals 35, 35 to correct the crankshaft 36. When rotated, the torque of the crankshaft 36 is reduced by the torsion bar 53 and the first one-way clutch 54.
And transmitted to the drive sprocket 38 via the rotary cylinder 50, but when the crankshaft 36 is reversed by stepping on the crank pedals 35, 35, the first one-way clutch 5
4 slips, and the reverse rotation of the crankshaft 36 is permitted.

The torque input to the crankshaft 36 from the crank pedals 35, 35 is detected by a torque detecting means 56, which detects the torsion of the torsion bar 53 in accordance with the input torque. A torque-displacement conversion mechanism 57 for converting the displacement along the axial direction of 36
And a stroke sensor 58 that outputs an electric signal in accordance with the displacement.
A slider 59 supported on the outer periphery of the
9 is formed by engaging a convex cam surface 59 a provided on the inner surface of the clutch inner ring of the first one-way clutch 54.

To detect the number of revolutions of the crankshaft 36, a tooth 61 is provided on the outer periphery of the crankshaft 36, and a crankshaft rotation sensor 62 faces the tooth 61.
Is fixedly disposed in the casing 37. Thus, the crankshaft rotation sensor 62 is configured to optically or magnetically detect the tooth portion 61 and output a detection pulse.

The reduction gear train 52 for transmitting the power of the electric motor 28 to the drive sprocket 38
And a first idle shaft 6 rotatably supported by a casing 37.
5, a first intermediate gear 66 fixedly engaged with the drive gear 64, a second intermediate gear 67 provided integrally with the first idle shaft 65, and a third intermediate gear 67 engaged with the second intermediate gear 67. An intermediate gear 68, a second idle shaft 69 disposed coaxially with the third intermediate gear 68 and rotatably supported by the casing 37, and a second idle shaft 69 provided between the third intermediate gear 68 and the second idle shaft 69. A direction clutch 70, a fourth intermediate gear 71 provided integrally with the second idle shaft 69,
A driven gear 72 is provided integrally with the rotary cylinder 50 to which the driving sprocket 38 is connected and meshes with the fourth intermediate gear 71.

The electric motor 28 is mounted on the casing 37 with its motor shaft 63 parallel to the crankshaft 36. The first and second idle shafts 65, 69 are provided.
Is rotatably supported by a casing 37 with an axis parallel to the crankshaft 36 and the motor shaft 63.

In such a reduction gear train 52, the torque accompanying the operation of the electric motor 28 is reduced and transmitted to the drive sprocket 38. When the operation of the electric motor 28 is stopped, the second one-way clutch 70 allows the second idle shaft 69 to idle, and the crank pedal 3
The rotation of the drive sprocket 38 due to the depressing force of 5, 35 is not hindered.

[0031] In FIG. 3, the operation of the electric motor 28 is intended to be controlled by the controller 42, the controller 42, the crank shaft rotation sensor 62, based on the detected value of the torque detection means 56 and the pushed travel switch 74 ₁ The operation of the electric motor 28 is controlled.

The controller 42 includes a pedal operation judging means 80, a motor drive control means 81 for riding the vehicle, a relay drive means 82, and a motor drive control means 83 for pushing and walking.
Motor drive restricting means 84, first switching means 85,
A second switching unit 86, a relay 87 including a relay switch 87a, and an FET (field effect transistor) 88 are provided.

The positive terminal of the battery 46 is connected to the positive terminal of the electric motor 28 via a main switch 48 and a relay switch 87a.
Is grounded via FET88. Thus, the operation of the electric motor 28 is controlled by controlling the switching operation of the FET 88 while the main switch 48 and the relay switch 87a are conducting.

The first and second switching means 85 are operated by the output of the relay driving means 82 to perform a switching operation.
The switching means 85 includes a first state (a state shown by a solid line in FIG. 3) in which the output of the motor drive control means 81 during riding is guided to the relay 87 when the output of the relay driving means 82 is at a low level, and a relay driving state. When the output of the means 82 is at a high level, it is possible to switch between a second state in which the output of the relay driving means 82 is guided to the relay 87 (a state shown by a broken line in FIG. 3), and the second switching means 86 When the output of the relay driving means 82 is at a low level, the output of the motor driving restricting means 84 is led to the gate of the FET 88 (the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 3), and the output of the relay driving means 82 is high. When the level is at the level, it is possible to switch between a second state (state indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3) in which the output of the motor drive control means 83 during pushing and walking is led to the gate of the FET 88.

The pedal operation determining means 80 determines whether or not the increment ΔT of the detected value of the torque detecting means 56 is equal to or greater than a set value ΔTth. If ΔT ≧ ΔTth, the pedal operation of the crank pedal 35 is performed. Judge that When it is determined that the stepping operation of the crank pedal 35 has been performed, an assist permission command signal is given to the motor drive control means 81 and the relay drive means 82 during riding.

The on-board motor drive control means 81 obtains assist power based on the detection values of the crankshaft rotation sensor 62 and the torque detection means 56 when the assist permission command signal is input from the pedal operation determination means 80. And correcting the motor drive signal based on the voltage of the battery 46 in order to prevent the current flowing through the electric motor 28 from changing with the voltage change of the battery 46. The subsequent motor drive signal is output from the on-boarding motor drive control means 81, and a relay drive signal given to the relay 87 to turn on the relay switch 87a when obtaining assist power is output from the on-boarding motor drive control means 81. Is output.

The relay driving means 82, in a state of not being inputted an assist permission command signal from the pedal operation determination means 80, based on the pushed travel switch 74 ₁ is operated, the high level to drive the relay 87 of and outputs a signal, when traveling or during bicycle stopped in a state where a person who rides on the sheet 25, is that it has not been pushed travel switch 74 ₁ is operated or pushed travel switch 74 ₁ is operated Even pedal operation determination means 8
Since the assist permission command signal is input from 0, the output of the relay driving means 82 is at a low level, and therefore the first and second switching means 85 and 86 are in the first state, and the person is When the push-and-walk switch 74 ₁ is operated when pushing and walking B, the output of the relay driving means 82 becomes high level, and the first and second switching means 85 and 8 are switched.
6 will be switched to the second state.

The pushing / walking motor drive control means 83 outputs a motor drive signal for controlling the operation of the electric motor 28 to obtain assist power when pushing / walking the vehicle body B when the pushing / walking switch 74 ₁ is operated. Rotation sensor 6
2 based on the detected value.

The motor drive limiting means 84 limits the motor drive signal output from the motor drive control means 81 during riding to control the switching operation of the FET 88 in accordance with the value detected by the torque detecting means 56. When the detected value of the torque detecting means 56 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a signal for shutting off the FET 88 is output from the motor drive limiting means 84 regardless of the motor drive signal output from the motor drive control means 81 during riding.

[0040] In FIG. 4, the bar handle 24 as possible to operate with the right hand gripping the grip 89 provided at its right end, shift operating device 90 ₁ is provided. The shift operating device 90 _1, the highest gear position, an intermediate gear stage and the lowest gear rotatable shift operation lever 92 ₁ around the stationary support shaft 91 as can the switching operation of the shift stage of a three-step stages , one side along the shift operating lever 92 ₁ in the circumferential direction of the support shaft 91 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4)
Engagement for engaging the shift operating lever 92 ₁ at a plurality of switching positions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the support shaft 51 individually corresponding to the spring 93 return to urge, in each gear And an engagement lever 94 as a means.

The support shaft 91 has an axis substantially along the vertical direction of the vehicle body B, and is provided on a support frame 95 attached to the bar handle 24. Shift operation lever 92 ₁
The support frame 95 is rotatable about the axis of the support shaft 91.
To a base 92a which is supported, which has an operation portion 92b that extends outward from the base 92a as possible to operate with the index finger of the right hand that holds the grip 89, the rear wheel W _R and the driven sprocket one end of the cable 96 for driving the speed change mechanism provided between the 39 is coupled to the shift operating lever 92 _1.

The return spring 93 is a torsion spring surrounding the support shaft 91, and includes a support frame 95 and a shift operation lever 92.
_Provided between _one . Due to the spring force of the return spring 93,
Shift operation lever 92 ₁ is rotationally biased counterclockwise in FIG.

On the other hand, the engagement lever 94 has an axis perpendicular to the axis of the support shaft 91 and substantially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body B, and is rotatably supported by a support pin 97 fixed to a support frame 95. At one end of the engagement lever 94 on the grip 89 side, an operation section 94a for rotating the engagement lever 94 with the thumb of the right hand gripping the grip 89 is provided.

The other end portion of the engaging lever 94 are those engageable with the shift operating lever 92 _1, between the engaging lever 94 and the support frame 95, a shift operating lever and the other end of the engaging lever 94 A torsion spring 98 is provided which exerts a spring force for urging the engagement lever 94 in a direction in which the engagement lever 92 is engaged.

[0045] the base 92a of the shift operating lever 92 ₁ is the highest gear position switching position P _H to the shift lever corresponding to the highest gear position of the other end brought into engagement with the engagement lever 94 9
2 ₁ a locking stepped portion 99 for holding a locking step portion 1 for holding the intermediate shift speed switching position shift operating lever 92 ₁ to P _M corresponding to the intermediate shift speed brought engage the other end of the engaging lever 94
00, a locking recess 101 for holding the lowest gear speed shift position the shift lever 92 ₁ to P _L corresponding to the lowest gear stage brought engage the other end of the engaging lever 94, i.e. counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 The return spring 93 is provided at intervals in the rotation biasing direction.

Thus, as shown in FIG.
The state was allowed engages the locking stepped portion 99, that is, from a state in which the shift lever 92 ₁ is in the highest gear speed shift position P _H, resets the shift operating lever 92 ₁ against the spring force of the spring 93 rotates When operated, the engagement lever 94 is moved to the locking step 10.
0 via the intermediate shift speed switching position P _M occupied engage in, FIG. 5
To the lowest gear speed shift position P _L which was allowed engaging the engagement lever 94 to the locking recess 101 as indicated by the shift operation lever 92 ₁ is being rotated around the support shaft 91. The intermediate shift gear shift position P _M or the lowest gear speed shift position P _L
In a state where the shift operating lever 92 ₁ is in the engagement lever 9
When releasing the engagement between the engaging step 100 or 99 by pressing the fourth operating portion 94a, the shift operating lever 92 ₁ returns to the highest shift speed switching position P _H by the spring force of the return spring 93.

Incidentally, a plurality of switching positions P_H, P_M, P
_LOf these, the shift operation lever 92 by the return spring 93₁
4 and 5, the end opposite to the biasing direction of
Switching position located at the end along the counterclockwise direction
That is, the lowest shift position switching position P_LShift operating lever at
92₁And the lowest gear between the engagement levers 94
Shift operation lever 92₁Can be rotated
As shown in FIG.
It is set along the circumferential direction of the shaft 91. That is, the engagement lever
The shift operation lever 92₁The lowest change
Speed change position P _LIn front of locking recess 101 for holding
The length of the support shaft 91 along the circumferential direction is the length of the engagement lever 94.
The width of the end portion is set to be larger than the width along the circumferential direction.
5 and FIG. 5, the spring is locked by the return spring 93.
Engaging lever 9 engaged with clockwise end of recess 101
4 and between the counterclockwise end of the locking recess 101
A lance 102 is formed.

On the other hand, a push-walk switch 74 for detecting the state in which a person pushes and walking the vehicle body B and operating the electric motor 28.
_1, as shown in Figure 6, when the rotational operation against the shift lever 92 ₁ located in the lowest gear speed shift position P _L to the spring force of the spring 93 back within the clearance 102,
The shift operating lever 92 _1, to conduct or cut off from the conduction from the cutoff so as to switch the switching mode, is attached to the support frame 95.

Next, to explain the action of this first embodiment, the shift operating lever 92 ₁ located in the shift operating device 90 ₁ to the lowest gear speed shift position P _L, the engaging lever 94
In is only clearance 102 operates to rotate against the spring force of the spring 93 returns the shift lever 92 ₁ while maintaining the lowest gear stage is formed, shifted in its clearance 102. During the the operating lever 92 _first rotates is detected by the walking switch 74 ₁ press. Therefore, the body B
The gear selected by the shift operating device 90 ₁ when detected by the pushed travel switch 74 ₁ of pushed travel has definite minimum shift speed, special means for detecting the gear selected at the time of pushed travel The electric motor 28 is operated by determining the control amount by the push-walk motor drive control means 83 so that a predetermined vehicle speed can be obtained during the push-walk while avoiding an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost without being necessary. I can do it.

In addition, the shift operation lever 92 is used when pushing and walking.
Minimum shift speed switching position P _L operable to _1, which is disposed at the end of one side in the circumferential direction of the plurality of switching position P _H, P _M, P _L that is arranged in the circumferential direction of the support shaft 91 So that
Can easily be determined without switching positions to place the shift lever 92 ₁ upon pushed travel of the vehicle body B is human thought.

[0051] Also release the hand from the shift lever 92 ₁ Low gear speed shift position P _L, the shift operating lever 92
₁ is held to the lowest gear speed shift position P _L by the spring 93 back, when the rotational operation of the shift operating lever 92 ₁ upon pushed travel with clearance within 102 unless sustain the state, the return spring 93 spring shift operation lever 92 ₁ would return to the lowest gear speed shift position P _L by force. Thus the shift operation lever 92 ₁ in the normal running state in which to obtain a power assist by the electric motor 28 as the lowest gear speed shift position P _L, the shift operating lever 92 ₁ is deviated from the lowest gear speed shift position P _L There is no.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0053] The bar handle 24 in the vicinity of the grip 89 shift operating device 90 ₂ is provided, speed-change operating device 90
_2, the highest gear position and pivotable shift lever 92 ₂ around the supporting shaft 91 as possible the switching operation of the shift stage of a two-step minimum shift stage, counter-shift operating lever 92 ₂ in FIG. 7 It includes a spring 93 return for biasing in the clockwise direction, and engaging means 104 for engaging the shift operating lever 92 ₂ at the maximum shift speed switching position P _H and a minimum gear speed shift position P _L.

The support shaft 91 is provided on a support frame 95 'attached to the bar handle 24, and is provided with a shift operation lever 92.
₂ is a support frame 9 that is rotatable about the axis of the support shaft 91.
A base 92a 'supported by 5' and a base 92 capable of being operated with the right index finger holding the grip 89
a 'which extends outward from a'.

On the other hand, the engaging means 104 has an axis perpendicular to the axis of the support shaft 91 and extending substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body B, and the intermediate portion is rotated by a support pin 97 fixed to the support frame 95 '. A rotating lever 105 that is movably supported and extends linearly and has an operation unit 105a at one end;
An engaging pin 106 supported by the other end of the rotating lever 105 so as to project from the other end of the rotating lever 105,
The support frame 9 is provided with a spring 107 provided between the engagement pin 106 and the rotation lever 105 by exerting a spring force in a direction to cause the engagement pin 106 to protrude from the rotation lever 105.
5 ′ and the rotating lever 105,
Of the shift operation lever 92 ₂
Is provided with a torsion spring 98 that exerts a spring force in the direction of engagement with the torsion spring 98.

At the other end of the rotating lever 105, a bottomed support hole 108 having an open outer end is provided, and the engagement pin 106 is prevented from being detached from the support hole 108. It is slidably fitted in the support hole 108.

Shift operation lever 92_TwoAt the base 92a 'of
Is the other end of the rotating lever 105 in the engaging means 104.
Highest gear position switching position corresponding to the highest gear position by engaging
P_HShift operation lever 92_TwoLocking step 11 for holding
0, corresponding to the lowest gear by engaging the engagement pin 106
Minimum gear position switching position P_LShift operation lever 92 _Two
And the locking recess 111 for holding the counterclockwise in FIG.
It is sequentially spaced along the rotation biasing direction by the return spring 93.
It is provided with an opening.

Then, the rotating lever 105 is moved to the locking step 110.
, The shift operation lever 92 ₂
The operating lever 9 but from a state in the highest gear speed shift position P _H
When operated to rotate against the spring force of the spring 93 returns the 2 _2,
The engaging pin 106 will be pressed in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the base portion 92a 'of the shift operating lever 92 ₂ inward side of the support hole 108, rotating the shift operating lever 92 ₂ to the lowest gear speed shift position P _L Then, the engagement pin 106 projects by the spring force of the spring 107 and engages with the locking recess 111. The lowest gear speed shift position P _L shift operating lever 92 ₂ is in the state, when releasing the engagement between the engagement recess 111 by pushing the operation portion 105a of the rotating lever 105, the shift operating lever 92 ₂ return spring It will return to the highest shift speed switching position P _H by the spring force of 93.

By the way, between the lowest gear speed changeover position engaging pin 106 of the shift operation lever 92 ₂ and the engagement means 104 in the P _L, clearance 1 along the circumferential direction of the support shaft 91
02 is formed, it is possible to rotate operates the shift operating lever 92 ₂ within the clearance 102. Thus, the shift operating lever 92 _2, the highest gear stage switching position P _H, the lowest gear speed shift position P _L, and the lowest gear speed shift position P _L in a direction against the spring force of the spring 93 back within the clearance 102 Rotating position 3
One of a rotatable between positions, such a shift lever 92 _{and second} pivot position is detected by the stroke switch 74 ₂ attached to the support frame 95 '.

[0060] The stroke switch 74 ₂ is capable of detecting the three positions in accordance with the rotation of the shift operating lever 92 _2, the shift operating lever 92 ₂ located in the lowest gear speed shift position P _L when pushed travel It also has a function as a push-walk switch for detecting that the turning operation has been performed in the clearance 102.

In the second embodiment, the driven sprocket
To 39 and rear wheel W_RA transmission mechanism is provided between them (see FIG. 1).
The stroke switch 74_TwoGear shifting operation equipment
Place 90_TwoShift operation lever 92_TwoSwitch position
That is, the maximum gear position switching position P _HAnd minimum shift position
Place P_LThe operation of the electric motor 28 is
Controlled, the lowest gear position switching position P_LShift operation
Bar 92_TwoIs rotated in the clearance 102
In addition, the operation of the electric motor 28 is
Will be controlled.

According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the present invention described in the appended claims. It is possible to do.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, when was the specific switching position of the lowest gear speed shift position P _L, which rotationally operated shift operating lever 92 _1, 92 ₂ against the spring force of the return spring 93, When the shift operation levers 92 ₁ and 92 ₂ are set to the switching positions corresponding to the higher gears, the highest gear shift position P _H can be set as the specific switching position. In the case of a shift operation device capable of switching between three or more shift speeds, it is also possible to operate the shift operation lever in a state where the intermediate shift speed is selected and detect the push-walking state using the push-walk switch. is there.

[0065]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pushing operation of the vehicle body is performed by operating the shift operation lever at the position corresponding to the specific gear when pushing the vehicle body. The speed switch is set to a specific speed when the push-walk switch detects the push-walking state of the vehicle body, so that the means for detecting the speed selected at the time of the push-walk is specially provided. It is not necessary to operate the electric motor at the time of pushing while walking while avoiding an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the shift operation lever is operated to a specific switching position arranged at one end in the circumferential direction among a plurality of switching positions arranged in the circumferential direction of the support shaft. In this state, the operating lever may be operated by a further limited amount of rotation, so that the switching position at which the shift operating lever should be arranged when the vehicle body is pushed and walked can be easily determined without hesitation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the shift operation lever is rotated within the clearance during the pushing and walking, if the state is not maintained, the shift operation lever is moved to the specific switching position by the spring force of the return spring. Therefore, the shift operation lever does not deviate from the specific switch position in the traveling state in which the power assist by the electric motor is obtained by setting the shift operation lever to the specific switch position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric assist bicycle according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a power unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a controller.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transmission in a state where a highest gear is selected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission in a state where a lowest gear is selected.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 in a state where the shift operation lever is further rotated at the lowest gear.

FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

28 ... Electric motor 74 ₁ , 74 ₂ ... Push-and-walk switch 90 ₁ , 90 ₂ ... Shift operation device 91 ... Support shafts 92 ₁ , 92 ₂ ... Shift operation lever 93 ... Return spring 94 ... engaging lever 102 ... clearance 104 ... engagement means B ... body P _H ... highest gear speed shift position P _M ... intermediate shift speed switching position as an engaging means P _L: Minimum gear position switching position

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of shift speeds can be switched by operating a shift operation lever (92 ₁ , 92 ₂ ).
A power assisted bicycle capable of assisting power by an electric motor (28) when a person pushes and walks is provided with the shift operation levers (92 ₁ , 92 ₂ ) and a specific speed is selected from a plurality of speeds. A shift operating device (9) configured to be capable of operating the shift operating levers (92 ₁ , 92 ₂ ) while maintaining the specific shift speed.
0 ₁ , 90 ₂ ) and shift operation levers (92 ₁ , 92 ₂ ) at the specific gear when a person pushes and walks on the vehicle body (B).
And a push-walk switch (74 ₁ , 74 ₂ ) for detecting the operation of the electric motor and operating the electric motor (28). 2. The speed change operation device (90 ₁ , 90 ₂ )
Are a plurality of switching positions (P _H , P _M , P _L ) which are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the support shaft (91) so as to individually correspond to the respective gears and a fixed support shaft (91). A shift operation lever (92 ₁ , 92 ₂ ) rotatably supported on the support shaft (91) so as to be able to switch between P _H and P _L );
At the specific switching position (P _L ) located at one end of the switching positions (P _H , P _M , P _L ; P _H , P _L ) along the circumferential direction of the support shaft (91), 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a turning operation is performed by a limited amount of turning on one side along the circumferential direction while holding a specific gear position corresponding to the switching position (P _L ). Electric assisted bicycle. 3. The speed change operating device (90)₁, 90_Two)
Is the shift operation lever (92₁, 92_Two) And branches
In addition to the shaft (91), the shift operation lever (92 ₁, 92
_Two) To bias the support shaft (91) to one side along the circumferential direction.
A spring (93) and each switching position (P_H, P_M, P_L; P
_H, P_L) To shift operation lever (92₁, 92_Two)
Engaging means (94, 104) for engaging each switching position.
(P_H, P_M, P_L; P_H, P_L) Of the return spring
(93) shift operation lever (92₁, 92_Two)of
Specific switching position located at the end opposite to the biasing direction
(P _L) Shift operation lever (92₁, 92_Two) And
Of the vehicle body (B) between the engaging means (94, 104).
Shift operation lever (92₁, 92_Two) The bias
Do not rotate by a limited amount of rotation on the opposite side to the direction.
That a clearance (102) that allows
The electric assist bicycle according to claim 2, characterized in that: