JP3333348B2 - Electric bicycle - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bicycle equipped with an electric motor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, when a drive system using human power and a drive system using an electric motor are provided in parallel, when a rider exerts a force to press a pedal (hereinafter referred to as "leg force"), a power proportional to the leg force is output from the electric motor. An electric bicycle that controls the electric motor in such a manner as to be able to easily climb a slope is used.

Hereinafter, a conventional electric bicycle will be described with reference to FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes a bicycle frame, 42 denotes an electric motor for outputting auxiliary power, and 43 denotes an electric motor 4.
2, a reduction gear for increasing the output torque; 44, a battery as a power source of the electric motor 42; 45, a torque detector for detecting the leg force; 46, the output of the electric motor 42 is controlled in proportion to the output of the torque detector 45; Control means including a power element, 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes a cover for protecting the electric motor 42 to the control means 46 from the external environment and decorating the appearance. Reference numeral 48 denotes a heat sink to which the control means 46 is attached in close contact with the control means 46 in order to release heat from a heating element such as a power element.
7 is installed at a position exposed from the same. Reference numeral 49 denotes a rear wheel driven by the leg force and the electric motor 42.

In this type of electric bicycle, the battery 4
4 is used as a power source for a headlight and a buzzer, and when the power of the battery 44 is consumed by the electric motor 42, the headlight is used when necessary. The lights do not light,
Since there is a risk that the buzzer does not sound, the battery 44 is not provided with an external terminal and is used as a dedicated power supply for the electric motor 42.

[0005] In addition, those which turn on a headlight without an external battery are provided with a dynamo and generate electric power by running power.

[0006]

However, if the battery 44 is not provided with an external terminal as described above,
When using a headlight or a buzzer, or when listening to a radio or a headphone stereo, an external battery must be separately prepared, which is inconvenient because the battery 44 cannot be used even though it is provided. When power is generated by a dynamo during traveling, there is a problem that a comfortable ride is hindered, and there is a problem that power cannot be supplied when the vehicle stops.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides a convenient and comfortable use of a headlight, a buzzer, and other electric equipment without separately preparing an external battery or running. The aim is to provide a comfortable electric bicycle.

[0008]

The electric bicycle according to the present invention has the following features.
In an electric bicycle including an electric motor as an auxiliary power for driving wheels, a battery as a power source of the electric motor, and control means for the electric motor, the electric motor and the electric motor
Control means for controlling the output of the motor in proportion to the output of the torque detector.
Connect external terminals via current limiting means in parallel with the stage
At the same time, the current flowing through the external terminal is set to a certain value or less.
Characterized in that was.

In the first aspect of the invention, preferably, the battery remaining amount detecting means is provided, and when the battery remaining amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the output from the battery to the electric motor is stopped by the control means.

In addition, a headlight can be connected to the external terminal, and a controller can be provided for controlling the lighting of the headlight based on an illuminance detection sensor and its detection signal.

[0011]

[0012]

According to the present invention , since the external terminal is connected to the battery via the current limiting means and only a certain amount of current flows through the external terminal, an electric device is connected to the external terminal for use. In this state, even if a large amount of current flows through the electric motor due to a slope, a head wind, or the like, the battery is not likely to be damaged by overload.

If the output to the electric motor is stopped when the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the bicycle returns to the bicycle by only human power, but the power supply to the electric device connected to the external terminal is secured. In particular, safety can be ensured when the electric device connected to the external terminal is a safety device.

If the power supply to the external terminals is always secured as described above, a headlight is connected to the external terminals, and the lighting is controlled by the controller based on the detection signal of the illuminance detection sensor. Then, when the surroundings become dark, the headlights are automatically turned on, so that safe driving such as at night is automatically secured.

[0015]

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electric bicycle according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a bicycle frame, 2 is an electric motor for outputting auxiliary power, 3 is a speed reducer for increasing the output torque of the electric motor 2, 4 is a battery as a power source of the electric motor 2, and 5 is a leg force. Torque detector, 6 is the motor 2
Control means including a power element for controlling the output of the motor in proportion to the output of the torque detector 5; 7 is a key switch interposed between the motor 2 and the battery 4; A cover that protects the environment and decorates the exterior.

In the bicycle frame 1, a front wheel 14 is mounted on a front end of a main pipe 11 via a head lugg portion 12 and a front fork 13. Further, a rear wheel 18 is mounted via a standing pipe 15 erected from the main pipe 11, a seat stay 16 and a chain stay 17.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a pedal, 22 denotes a driving sprocket on a leg side which rotates in conjunction with the pedal 21, and 23 denotes a rear wheel 18.
A driven sprocket that rotates in conjunction with the sprocket; 24, a chain wound between the sprockets 22 and 23; 25, a driving sprocket on the electric motor side mounted on the output shaft of the speed reducer 3; 26, a driven sprocket;
It is a chain wound between 5 and 26.

Next, the configuration of an electric circuit using the battery 4 as a power source will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The battery 4 is connected to a motor output circuit 31 via a fuse 9 and a key switch 7.
And two or more output circuits of the external output circuit 32 are connected in parallel. The motor output circuit 31 is connected to the motor 2 via the control means 6. The external output circuit 32 is connected to an external terminal 34 via a current limiting means 33. The external terminal 34 has a built-in switch 35 and is normally open to protect the battery 4 and prevent electric leakage. When the electric device is connected, the switch 35 is closed to use the electric device. It is configured to be able to. Further, a lid (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the external terminal 34, and when used on a rainy day or the like, the lid is closed to perform a waterproof function and protect the battery 4. ing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, various electric devices can be connected and used, for example, by connecting a radio or a headphone stereo to the external terminal 34 to listen to music while the vehicle is running or stopped. be able to. In addition, a headlight or a buzzer can be connected to the external terminal 34,
When a headlight is connected, it can be used as a safe vehicle without the need for dynamo power generation. In addition, even when a large amount of current flows through the motor 2 due to a hill or a headwind while various electric devices are connected to the external terminal 34, the external terminal 34 is connected to the battery 4 via the current limiting means 33. , And only a constant current flows through the external terminal 34, so that the battery 4 is not likely to be damaged by an overload.

Other examples of use of the external terminal 34 can be used for charging and as a battery for communication equipment. Further, the battery 4 can be used as a mere power supply source without being used for driving the electric motor 2.

Next, an electric bicycle according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and its description are cited for the overall configuration. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

In this embodiment, the control means 6 of the electric motor 2 is provided with a remaining amount detecting means 36 for detecting the remaining amount of the battery 4. Is configured to stop. Also,
A headlight 37 is connected to the external terminal output circuit 32 via a controller 38 for controlling lighting thereof, and a detection signal of an illuminance detection sensor 39 is input to the controller 38. Thereby, when the surrounding illuminance becomes dark, the controller 38 is controlled based on the detection signal from the illuminance detection sensor 39.
The headlight 37 is turned on.

According to this embodiment, when the remaining amount of the battery 4 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the output to the electric motor 2 is stopped to return to the bicycle using only human power. When the power supply is secured and the surroundings become dark, the headlights 37 are automatically turned on, and safe driving such as at night can be automatically secured. Of course, not only the headlight 37 but also a power supply for other electrical devices connected to the external terminal output circuit 32 is ensured.

As shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, the controller 38 or the direct headlight 37 is connected to the key switch 7 via a separate connection line 40, and is manually operated by a switching lever provided on the key switch 7. The lighting operation may be performed.

[0027]

According to the electric bicycle of the present invention , as is apparent from the above description, the external terminal is connected to the battery via the current limiting means, and only a certain amount of current flows through the external terminal. Even if a large amount of current flows to the motor due to hills, headwinds, etc., when the electric device is connected to the external terminal and used, there is no danger of the battery being damaged by overload. It is possible to provide a convenient and comfortable electric bicycle that can use various kinds of electric devices without preparing or running.

When the output to the electric motor is stopped when the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the bicycle returns to the bicycle by only human power. However, the power supply to the electric device connected to the external terminal is secured. In particular, safety can be ensured when the electric device connected to the external terminal is a safety device.

When the power supply to the external terminals is always secured as described above, a headlight is connected to the external terminals, and the lighting is controlled by the controller based on the detection signal of the illuminance detection sensor. Then, when the surroundings become dark, the headlights are automatically turned on, so that safe driving such as at night is automatically secured.

[0030]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of an embodiment of an electric bicycle according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a side view and (b) is another side view.

FIG. 2 is an electric circuit diagram of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of another embodiment of the electric bicycle of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the entire configuration of a conventional electric bicycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 motor 4 battery 6 control means 32 external output circuit 33 current limiting means 34 external terminal 36 remaining amount detection means 37 headlight 38 controller 39 illuminance detection sensor

Continuation of the front page Examiner Takashi Koyama (56) References JP-A-7-61391 (JP, A) JP-A-6-144343 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) B62M 23/02 B62J 6/02 B62J 39/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electric bicycle including an electric motor as an auxiliary power for driving wheels, a battery as a power source of the electric motor, and an electric motor having control means for the electric motor . Proportional to the output
In parallel with the controlling means to control , external
While connecting the terminals, the current flowing to the external terminals is
An electric bicycle characterized by having a value equal to or less than a certain value . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a battery remaining amount detecting means, wherein the output from the battery to the electric motor is stopped by the control means when the remaining amount of the battery falls below a predetermined value. Electric bicycle. 3. A headlight is connected to an external terminal.
3. The electric bicycle according to claim 2, further comprising an illuminance detection sensor and a controller for controlling lighting of the headlight based on the detection signal.