JP7530716B2 - Drive unit for human-powered vehicle and human-powered vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and a human-powered vehicle.

For example, the drive unit for a human-powered vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a mounting portion that is attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle. The mounting portion includes a hole for receiving a bolt. The hole opens in the width direction of the human-powered vehicle.

JP 2017-24700 A

One object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle that can be suitably attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, and a human-powered vehicle.

A drive unit according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: a housing in which an input rotating shaft to which human-powered driving force is input is provided; and a first mounting portion formed integrally with the housing as a single member and configured to be attached to a frame of the human-powered vehicle, the first mounting portion including: a contact portion configured to contact the frame from above or from a direction parallel to the horizontal plane when the human-powered vehicle is placed on a horizontal plane and the drive unit is attached to the frame; and a first hole formed in the contact portion and configured to accommodate a portion of a first fastener connecting the first mounting portion to the frame, the first hole extending in a first direction non-parallel to the input rotating shaft.
According to the drive unit of the first aspect, a portion of the first fastener is received in the first hole extending in a first direction non-parallel to the input rotation shaft, and the drive unit can be suitably attached to the frame.

In a drive unit of a second aspect according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, when the drive unit is attached to the frame and viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft, at least a portion of the contact portion is positioned in a first region formed between the seat tube of the frame and the chain stay of the frame around the rotation axis of the input rotation shaft.
According to the drive unit of the second aspect, when the drive unit is attached to the frame, when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotating shaft, at least a portion of the contact portion of the drive unit in the first region contacts the frame, thereby allowing the drive unit to be suitably attached to the frame.

In a drive unit of a third aspect according to the first or second aspect of the present disclosure, when the drive unit is attached to the frame and viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft, at least a portion of the contact portion is positioned in a second region formed between the seat tube of the frame and the down tube of the frame around the rotation axis of the input rotation shaft.
According to the drive unit of the third aspect, when the drive unit is attached to the frame, when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotating shaft, at least a portion of the contact portion of the drive unit in the second region contacts the frame, thereby allowing the drive unit to be suitably attached to the frame.

A drive unit according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: a housing in which an input rotating shaft to which a human-powered driving force is input is provided; and a first mounting portion formed integrally with the housing as a single member and configured to be mounted to a frame of the human-powered vehicle, the first mounting portion including a contact portion configured to contact the frame when the drive unit is mounted to the frame; and a first hole formed in the contact portion and configured to accommodate a portion of a first fastener connecting the first mounting portion to the frame and extending in a first direction non-parallel to the input rotating shaft, wherein when the drive unit is mounted to the frame and viewed in the axial direction of the input rotating shaft, at least a portion of the contact portion is disposed in at least one of a first region formed between a seat tube of the frame and a chain stay of the frame and a second region formed between the seat tube of the frame and a down tube of the frame, around the rotational axis of the input rotating shaft.
According to the drive unit of the fourth aspect, when the live unit is attached to the frame, when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft, at least a portion of the contact portion of the drive unit contacts the frame in at least one of the first region or the second region, thereby allowing the drive unit to be suitably attached to the frame.

In a drive unit of a fifth aspect according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present disclosure, the contact portion is provided on a portion of the housing excluding both ends in the fore-and-aft direction of the frame when attached to the frame.
According to the drive unit of the fifth aspect, when the contact portion is attached to the frame, it is provided on the housing except for both ends in the front-to-rear direction of the frame, so that it can be suitably attached to the frame.

A drive unit according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: a housing in which an input rotating shaft to which human-powered vehicle force is input is provided; and a first mounting portion formed integrally with the housing as a single member and configured to be mounted to a frame of the human-powered vehicle, the first mounting portion including a contact portion configured to contact the frame when the drive unit is mounted to the frame; and a first hole formed in the contact portion and configured to accommodate a portion of a first fastener connecting the first mounting portion to the frame, the first mounting portion extending in a first direction non-parallel to the input rotating shaft, the contact portion being provided in a portion of the housing excluding both ends in the fore-aft direction of the frame when the drive unit is mounted to the frame.
According to the drive unit of the sixth aspect, when the contact portion is attached to the frame, it is provided on a portion of the housing excluding both ends in the front-to-rear direction of the frame, so that it can be suitably attached to the frame.

In a drive unit of a seventh aspect according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present disclosure, the drive unit further includes at least one second mounting portion integrally formed with the housing as a single member, configured to be attached to the frame, and provided at a position different from the first mounting portion, the at least one second mounting portion including a second hole configured to accommodate a portion of a second fastener connecting the second mounting portion to the frame and extending in a second direction parallel to the input rotation axis.
According to the drive unit of the seventh aspect, by receiving a portion of the second fastener in the second hole extending in the second direction parallel to the input rotation shaft, the drive unit can be attached to the frame more stably.

In the drive unit of the eighth aspect according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one second mounting portion includes a plurality of second mounting portions, and the plurality of second mounting portions are each provided at different positions around the input rotation shaft.
According to the drive unit of the eighth aspect, the drive unit can be more stably attached to the frame by the multiple second attachment portions.

In a drive unit of a ninth aspect according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the input rotating shaft is arranged in an area surrounded by the plurality of second mounting portions and the contact portion when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotating shaft.
According to the drive unit of the ninth aspect, it can be attached to the frame more stably.

In a drive unit of a tenth aspect according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present disclosure, the first direction is substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the input rotation shaft.
According to the drive unit of the tenth aspect, the drive unit can be suitably attached to the frame by receiving a portion of the first fastener in a first hole extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the input rotating shaft.

In a drive unit of an eleventh side according to any one of the first to tenth sides of the present disclosure, when the drive unit is attached to the frame and viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft, the first direction is inclined with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the frame.
According to the drive unit of the eleventh aspect, the drive unit can be suitably attached to the frame by receiving a portion of the first fastener in a first hole extending in a first direction inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction of the frame.

In a drive unit of a twelfth aspect according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the present disclosure, when the drive unit is attached to the frame, at least a portion of the contact portion is positioned in a central portion of the housing in the axial direction of the input rotating shaft.
According to the drive unit of the twelfth aspect, at least a portion of the contact portion is positioned in the central portion of the housing in the axial direction of the input rotating shaft when the drive unit is attached to the frame, so that the drive unit can be stably and suitably attached to the frame.

The drive unit of a thirteenth aspect according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the present disclosure further includes a motor provided in the housing and configured to provide a propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle.
According to the drive unit of the thirteenth aspect, the drive unit including the motor configured to impart propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle can be suitably attached to the frame.

In a drive unit of a fourteenth aspect according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the housing includes a first part supporting the motor and a second part supporting the input rotating shaft, and the first mounting portion is at least partially provided at a connection portion between the first part and the second part.
According to the drive unit of the fourteenth aspect, at least a portion of the first mounting portion is provided at the connection portion between the first portion and the second portion, so that the drive unit can be suitably attached to the frame.

In a drive unit of a fifteenth aspect according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects of the present disclosure, when the drive unit is attached to the frame, at least a portion of the first mounting portion is located rearward of the human-powered vehicle relative to the input rotation shaft.
According to the drive unit of the fifteenth aspect, when the drive unit is attached to the frame, at least a portion of the first mounting portion can be disposed rearward of the human-powered vehicle, so that the drive unit can be suitably attached to the frame.

In the drive unit of the sixteenth aspect according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects of the present disclosure, the first hole is defined by a first female threaded portion and the first fastener includes a bolt.
According to the drive unit of the sixteenth aspect, it can be preferably attached to the frame by means of bolts.

A human-powered vehicle according to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure is a human-powered vehicle including a human-powered vehicle drive unit according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, and a frame of the human-powered vehicle.
According to the human-powered vehicle of the seventeenth aspect, the drive unit can be conveniently attached to the frame.

In a human-powered vehicle of an eighteenth aspect in accordance with the seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, the frame includes a down tube, a seat tube, a chain stay, and a bracket connected to the down tube, the seat tube, and the chain stay, and the contact portion contacts the bracket.
According to the human-powered vehicle of the eighteenth aspect, the drive unit can be preferably attached to the frame via the bracket.

The drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and the human-powered vehicle disclosed herein can be suitably mounted to the frame of the human-powered vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and the human-powered vehicle according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a second side view of the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 and the frame of the human-powered vehicle; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drive unit for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 . 4 is a perspective view of the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 as viewed from a different direction than that of FIG. 3 . FIG. 2 is a first side view of a drive unit for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a second side view of the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing the periphery of the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle shown in FIG. 1 . 3 is an enlarged side view showing the periphery of the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle shown in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear view showing the periphery of the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle shown in FIG. 1 . 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D10-D10 in FIG. 5 . 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a human-powered vehicle including the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 and a charging system. 12 is a flowchart of a process for switching the state of a drive unit, which is executed by a control unit of the control device of FIG. 11 . 12 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit of the interface device of FIG. 11 to display second information corresponding to the first information on a display unit. 12 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit of the control device of FIG. 11 to transmit a signal including first information. 12 is a flowchart of a process for stopping charging, which is executed by a control unit of the charger in FIG. 11 . FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view showing the periphery of a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle according to a modified example.

First Embodiment
A drive unit 30 for a human-powered vehicle and a human-powered vehicle 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15. The human-powered vehicle 10 is a vehicle that has at least one wheel and can be driven at least by human-powered driving force. The human-powered vehicle 10 includes various types of bicycles, such as mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, cargo bikes, hand bikes, and recumbents. The number of wheels that the human-powered vehicle 10 has is not limited. The human-powered vehicle 10 also includes, for example, one-wheeled vehicles and vehicles with three or more wheels. The human-powered vehicle 10 is not limited to vehicles that can be driven only by human-powered driving force. The human-powered vehicle 10 includes E-bikes that use not only human-powered driving force but also the driving force of an electric motor for propulsion. E-bikes include electrically assisted bicycles whose propulsion is assisted by an electric motor. In the following embodiments, the human-powered vehicle 10 will be described as an electrically assisted bicycle.

When the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on a horizontal surface, the human-powered vehicle 10 and the frame 12 have a front-to-rear direction. The front-to-rear direction has a forward direction X1 and a rear direction X2. When the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on a horizontal surface, the human-powered vehicle 10 and the frame 12 have a top-to-bottom direction. The top-to-bottom direction has an upward direction Y1 and a downward direction Y2.

The human-powered vehicle 10 includes a drive unit 30 and a frame 12. Preferably, the human-powered vehicle 10 further includes wheels 14. The wheels 14 are supported by the frame 12. The wheels 14 include rear wheels 14A and front wheels 14B.

Preferably, the frame 12 includes a down tube 16, a seat tube 18, a chain stay 20, and a bracket 22. Preferably, the frame 12 includes a seat stay 21. In this embodiment, the frame 12 is a diamond frame. In this embodiment, the bracket 22 is connected to the down tube 16, the seat tube 18, and the chain stay 20. For example, the chain stay 20 may be connected to the bracket or the seat tube 18 via a suspension.

The drive unit 30 includes a housing 32 and a first mounting portion 34. The housing 32 is provided with an input rotating shaft 36 to which a human-powered driving force is input. Preferably, the drive unit 30 includes the input rotating shaft 36. The input rotating shaft 36 is configured as a crankshaft of the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive unit 30 does not have to include the input rotating shaft 36. The first mounting portion 34 is formed integrally with the housing 32 as a single member and configured to be attached to the frame 12. The first mounting portion 34 includes a contact portion 38 and a first hole 40. Preferably, the contact portion 38 is configured to contact the frame 12 from above or in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane when the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on a horizontal plane and the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12. The contact portion 38 is provided on the outer periphery of the housing 32. The contact portion 38 is provided, for example, on a protrusion 32X that protrudes from the outer periphery of the housing 32 toward the outside of the housing 32. Preferably, the contact portion 38 contacts the bracket 22. Preferably, the bracket 22 includes a recess 22A. At least a part of the drive unit 30 is disposed in the space surrounded by the recess 22A. Preferably, the contact portion 38 contacts an inner wall surface 22D of the recess 22A. The bracket 22 may be connected to at least one of the down tube 16, the seat tube 18, and the chain stay 20 by welding, adhesion, or the like. The bracket 22 may be integrally formed as a single member with at least one of the down tube 16, the seat tube 18, and the chain stay 20. The bracket 22 may be formed, for example, from a metal material, or may be formed including a fiber-reinforced resin material including, for example, carbon fiber.

Preferably, the first hole 40 is defined by a first female threaded portion 40A, and the first fastener 42 includes a bolt 42A. The bolt 42A may be, for example, a hexagonal bolt or a hexagonal socket bolt. The first hole 40 is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the first female threaded portion 40A. In this embodiment, the first hole 40 is a blunt hole. The first hole 40 may be a through hole. The outer peripheral surface of the housing 32 has a first bracket contact surface 38A around the first hole 40 on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the first fastener 42. The first bracket contact surface 38A is preferably a plane substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the first hole 40. The bracket 22 is formed with a first through hole 22B. The first through hole 22B is formed in the wall of the recess 22A. The first fastener 42 is inserted into the first through hole 22B from the outside of the recess 22A of the bracket 22 and is coupled to the first female threaded portion 40A. The diameter of the first through hole 22B is smaller than the diameter of the head 42B of the bolt 42A. The bracket 22 is sandwiched between the head 42B of the bolt 42A and the contact portion 38, and the drive unit 30 is fixed to the frame 12. Preferably, the direction in which the first through hole 22B extends from the outside of the recess 22A of the bracket 22 toward the inside of the recess 22A is downward or parallel to the horizontal surface when the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on the horizontal surface. The first through hole 22B extends linearly. The portion of the bracket 22 that contacts the first bracket contact surface 38A of the housing 32 is formed substantially flat. A washer may be provided between the first bracket contact surface 38A and the bracket 22. A washer may be provided between the head 42B of the bolt 42A and the bracket 22.

In the first example, the first hole 40 is formed in the contact portion 38, is configured to receive a portion of the first fastener 42 that connects the first mounting portion 34 to the frame 12, and extends in a first direction A1 that is non-parallel to the input rotation shaft 36. The first hole 40 preferably extends linearly in the first direction A1. Preferably, the first direction A1 is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. Preferably, when the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, the first direction A1 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction X of the frame 12 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36.

Preferably, when the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, at least a portion of the contact portion 38 is disposed in the first region R1 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, the first region R1 is formed between the seat tube 18 of the frame 12 and the chain stay 20 of the frame 12 around the rotation axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36.

Preferably, when the housing 32 is attached to the frame 12, the contact portion 38 is provided on a portion of the housing 32 excluding both ends 33A, 33B in the front-rear direction X of the frame 12.

Preferably, the drive unit 30 further includes a motor 44. The motor 44 includes one or more electric motors. The electric motor is, for example, a brushless motor. Preferably, the motor 44 is provided in the housing 32 and configured to provide a propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle 10. The motor 44 is disposed in an accommodation space at least a portion of which is formed inside the housing 32. Preferably, the output shaft 44A of the motor 44 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis C1 of the input rotating shaft 36. Preferably, the housing 32 includes a first portion 32A that supports the motor 44 and a second portion 32B that supports the input rotating shaft 36. Preferably, at least a portion of the first mounting portion 34 is provided at a connection portion 32C between the first portion 32A and the second portion 32B. Preferably, when the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, at least a portion of the first mounting portion 34 is located rearward of the input rotating shaft 36 of the human-powered vehicle 10. Preferably, the first portion 32A includes a first end 33A of the housing 32 in the front-rear direction X of the frame 12. Preferably, the first end 33A of the housing 32 is disposed on the front side of the frame 12. Preferably, the second portion 32B includes a second end 33B of the housing 32 in the front-rear direction X of the frame 12. Preferably, the second end 33B of the housing 32 is disposed on the rear X2 side of the frame 12. Preferably, at least a portion of the first mounting portion 34 is disposed between the input rotation shaft 36 and the output shaft 44A of the motor 44 in the direction of a straight line passing through the rotation axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36 and the rotation axis C2 of the output shaft 44A of the motor 44, as viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36.

Preferably, when the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, at least a portion of the contact portion 38 is disposed in a central portion of the housing 32 in the axial direction of the input rotating shaft 36. When the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, the contact portion 38 may be disposed offset from the central portion of the housing 32 in the axial direction of the input rotating shaft 36.

Preferably, the drive unit 30 further includes at least one second mounting portion 46. The second mounting portion 46 is integrally formed with the housing 32 as a single member, configured to be attached to the frame 12, and provided at a location different from the first mounting portion 34. The at least one second mounting portion 46 includes a second hole 48. The second hole 48 is configured to receive a portion of a second fastener 50 that connects the second mounting portion 46 to the frame 12, and extends in a second direction A2 parallel to the input rotation axis 36.

Preferably, the second hole 48 is defined by a second female threaded portion 48A , and the second fastener 50 includes a bolt 50A. The second female threaded portion 48A may be formed integrally with the second mounting body 46X as a single member, or may be formed separately from the second mounting body 46X and attached to the second mounting body 46X. The housing 32 has a second bracket contact surface 39A around the second hole 48 on the upstream side of the insertion direction of the second fastener 50 on the outer circumferential surface thereof. The second bracket contact surface 39A is preferably a plane substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the second hole 48. The second bracket contact surface 39A may be formed on the second mounting body 46X, may be formed on the second female threaded portion 48A , or may be formed on the second mounting body 46X and the second female threaded portion 48A . The second hole 48 is defined by the inner circumferential surface of the second female threaded portion 48A . In this embodiment, the second hole 48 is a through hole. The second hole 48 may be a blind hole. The bracket 22 is formed with a second through hole 22E. The second through hole 22E is formed in a wall portion of the recess 22A. The second fastener 50 is inserted into the second through hole 22E from the outside of the recess 22A of the bracket 22 and is coupled to the second female thread portion 48A . Preferably, the direction in which the second through hole 22E extends from the outside of the recess 22A of the bracket 22 toward the inside of the recess 22A is parallel to the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36 when the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on a horizontal surface. The second through hole 22E extends linearly. A portion of the bracket 22 that contacts the second bracket contact surface 39A of the housing 32 is formed substantially flat. When the second female thread portion 48A is formed separately from the second mounting portion 46 and attached to the second mounting portion 46, the second female thread portion 48A is formed by, for example, a nut. The second female thread portion 48A may be, for example, embedded in the second mounting portion main body 46X and formed integrally therewith. The second female thread portion 48A may be, for example, pressed into a hole formed in the second mounting portion 46 and configured to be movable in the direction in which the hole extends. The second female thread portion 48A may have, for example, a flange portion disposed between the second mounting portion 46 and the bracket 22. An adjustment member such as, for example, a washer may be provided between the second mounting portion 46 and the bracket 22. The second fastener 50 is inserted into the adjustment member. A washer may be provided between the head of the bolt 50A of the second fastener 50 and the bracket 22.

Preferably, the at least one second mounting portion 46 includes a plurality of second mounting portions 46. The plurality of second mounting portions 46 are provided at different positions around the input rotation shaft 36. The at least one second mounting portion 46 is provided on the outer periphery of the housing 32. The at least one second mounting portion 46 is provided on a protrusion provided on the outer periphery of the housing 32. When the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, the at least one second mounting portion 46 contacts the bracket 22. When the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, preferably, all of the plurality of second mounting portions 46 contact the bracket 22. When the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, preferably, the at least one second mounting portion 46 contacts the inner wall surface 22D of the recess 22A. When the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12, preferably, all of the second mounting portions 46 contact the inner wall surface 22D of the recess 22A.

Preferably, the plurality of second mounting portions 46 include at least one second mounting portion 46A that opens to one side in the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, and at least one second mounting portion 46B that opens to the other side in the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. Preferably, at least the second mounting portion 46A includes a plurality of second mounting portions 46A. The plurality of second mounting portions 46A are provided at different positions around the input rotation shaft 36. Preferably, at least the second mounting portion 46B includes a plurality of second mounting portions 46B. The plurality of second mounting portions 46B are provided at different positions around the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, the number of at least the second mounting portions 46A is equal to the number of at least the second mounting portions 46B, but the number of at least the second mounting portions 46A and the number of at least the second mounting portions 46B may be different. The configuration of at least the second mounting portion 46A and the configuration of at least the second mounting portion 46B may be different. For example, at least the second mounting portion 46A has the second female thread portion 48A formed as a single member integrally with the second mounting portion main body 46X, and at least the second mounting portion 46B has the second female thread portion 48A formed separately from the second mounting portion main body 46X and is attached to the second mounting portion main body 46X.

At least one of the plurality of second mounting portions 46A and at least one of the plurality of second mounting portions 46B may be provided at the same position around the input rotation shaft 36, or may be provided at different positions. At least one of the plurality of second mounting portions 46A and at least one of the plurality of second mounting portions 46B may be arranged in a connected manner to each other, or may be arranged spaced apart in the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, two second mounting portions 46A and two second mounting portions 46B are provided on the housing 32. In this embodiment, one of the two second mounting portions 46A and one of the two second mounting portions 46B are provided at the same position around the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, one of the two second mounting portions 46A and one of the two second mounting portions 46B are arranged in a connected manner to each other, and are integrally formed as a single member. In this embodiment, the other one of the two second mounting portions 46A and the other one of the two second mounting portions 46B are provided at the same position around the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, the other one of the two second mounting portions 46A and the other one of the two second mounting portions 46B are arranged to be connected to each other and are integrally formed as a single member. Preferably, one of the at least one second mounting portion 46 is arranged below the chain stay 20 in a position Y2 when the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on a horizontal surface and the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12. Preferably, one of the at least one second mounting portion 46 is arranged on the opposite side to the first mounting portion 34 in the direction of extension of a straight line passing through the rotation axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36 and the rotation axis C2 of the output shaft 44A of the motor 44, as viewed in the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. Preferably, one of the at least one second mounting portion 46 is disposed forward of the input rotation shaft 36 at X1 and rearward of the input rotation shaft 36 at X2 when the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on a horizontal surface and the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12.

Preferably, the input rotation shaft 36 is disposed in a region R3 surrounded by the plurality of second mounting portions 46 and the contact portion 38 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, a part of the input rotation shaft 36 is disposed in the region R3 surrounded by the plurality of second mounting portions 46 and the contact portion 38 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. Preferably, the rotation axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36 is disposed in the region R3 surrounded by the plurality of second mounting portions 46 and the contact portion 38 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. The region R3 is formed by a straight line LA connecting the second mounting portions 46 adjacent to each other around the input rotation shaft 36, and a straight line LB connecting the second mounting portions 46 adjacent to each other around the input rotation shaft 36 and the contact portion 38 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, the plurality of second mounting portions 46 include two second mounting portions 46A and two second mounting portions 46B. When viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, the position of one of the two second mounting portions 46A coincides with the position of one of the two second mounting portions 46B. When viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, the position of the other of the two second mounting portions 46A coincides with the position of the other of the two second mounting portions 46B. When viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, a straight line LA connecting the second mounting portions 46 adjacent to each other around the input rotation shaft 36 is a straight line connecting the centers of the second holes 48 of the two second mounting portions 46A, 46B adjacent to each other around the input rotation shaft 36, when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. When viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, the straight line LB connecting the second mounting portions 46A, 46B and the contact portion 38 is two straight lines connecting the centers of the second holes 48 of the two second mounting portions 46 and the point where the plane including the first bracket contact surface 38A intersects with the center of the first hole 40 in the second mounting portions 46A, 46B and the contact portion 38 adjacent to each other around the input rotation shaft 36 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. In this embodiment, when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, the region R3 is formed into a triangle.

Preferably, the drive unit 30 further includes an output section 54. The output section 54 is connected to, for example, the input rotating shaft 36, and receives the rotation of the input rotating shaft 36. The output section 54 is preferably provided around the input rotating shaft 36 so that the rotation axis of the output section 54 substantially coincides with the rotation axis C1 of the input rotating shaft 36. The input rotating shaft 36 and the output section 54 are connected so as to rotate together in both directions around the rotation axis C1 of the input rotating shaft 36. A first one-way clutch 58 may be provided between the input rotating shaft 36 and the output section 54 so that, for example, when the input rotating shaft 36 is rotated in the forward direction of the human-powered vehicle 10, the rotation force of the input rotating shaft 36 is transmitted to the output section 54. The first one-way clutch 58 includes, for example, a roller clutch, a pawl ratchet clutch, or a sprag clutch. One end of the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output section 54 is preferably provided in the housing 32 so as to be exposed to the outside of the housing 32. One axial end of the rotation axis of the output part 54 includes a connecting part configured to connect a sprocket or a pulley. The connecting part is provided on the outer periphery of the output part 54. The connecting part includes, for example, a spline that extends along the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36.

Preferably, the drive unit 30 further includes a reducer 56. The reducer 56 reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input from the motor 44 and transmits it to the output section 54. A part of the reducer 56 is disposed between the rotational axis C2 of the output shaft 44A of the motor 44 and the rotational axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36 in the direction of extension of a straight line passing through the rotational axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36 and the rotational axis C2 of the output shaft 44A of the motor 44, as viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36. Preferably, the reducer 56 includes a plurality of gears. In this embodiment, the plurality of gears includes four gears, and the reducer 56 reduces the rotational speed in two stages. The reducer 56 has one or a plurality of intermediate shafts 56A. In this embodiment, the reducer 56 has one intermediate shaft 56A. A first gear 56B and a second gear 56C are provided on the intermediate shaft 56A in the axial direction. For example, a gear 44B provided on the output shaft 44A of the motor 44 meshes with a first gear 56B provided on the intermediate shaft 56A, and a second gear 56C provided on the intermediate shaft 56A meshes with a gear 54A provided on the output section 54. At least one rotation axis CX of the intermediate shaft 56A may be disposed on a straight line LX passing through a rotation axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36 and a rotation axis C2 of the output shaft 44A of the motor 44, as viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, and may be disposed above the straight line LX or below the straight line LX when the human-powered vehicle 10 is placed on a horizontal surface. The configuration of the reducer 56 is not limited and may be any configuration. For example, the reducer 56 may include a planetary gear mechanism. For example, the reducer 56 may include a pulley and a belt. For example, the reducer 56 may include a sprocket and a chain. The drive unit 30 may be provided with a second one-way clutch so that the rotational force of the input rotating shaft 36 is not transmitted to the motor 44 when the input rotating shaft 36 is rotated in the direction in which the human-powered vehicle 10 moves forward. The second one-way clutch may be provided between the output shaft 44A of the motor 44 and the reducer 56, or may be provided in the reducer 56, or may be provided between the reducer 56 and the output unit 54.

Preferably, the drive unit 30 further includes a control device 62. The control device 62 includes a control unit 64. The control unit 64 includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The arithmetic processing unit may be provided in a plurality of locations that are separate from each other. The control unit 64 may include one or a plurality of microcomputers. Preferably, the control unit 64 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit stores various control programs and information used in various control processes. The storage unit includes, for example, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes, for example, at least one of a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM (Random access memory).

The control device 62 preferably further includes a drive circuit 66 for the motor 44. The drive circuit 66 and the control unit 64 are preferably provided in the housing 32. The drive circuit 66 and the control unit 64 may be provided, for example, on the same circuit board. The drive circuit 66 includes an inverter circuit. The drive circuit 66 controls the power supplied to the motor 44 from the battery unit 26 for the human-powered vehicle. The drive circuit 66 is connected to the control unit 64 by wire or wirelessly. The drive circuit 66 drives the motor 44 in response to a control signal from the control unit 64.

Preferably, the control device 62 includes a communication unit 68. The communication unit 68 can communicate with the components for the human-powered vehicle by, for example, power line communication (PLC), a controller area network (CAN), or a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART). Preferably, the components for the human-powered vehicle include a battery unit 26 for the human-powered vehicle and an interface device 28.

As shown in FIG. 11, the human-powered vehicle 10 may include an electrical system 24 for a human-powered vehicle. Preferably, the electrical system 24 includes a drive unit 30 and a battery unit 26. The battery unit 26 is provided in the frame 12. The battery unit 26 may be built into the down tube 16 of the frame 12, for example. The battery unit 26 includes a first battery 26A. The first battery 26A includes one or more battery elements. The battery element includes a rechargeable battery. The battery unit 26 is configured to supply power to the control device 62. The battery unit 26 further includes a control unit 26B and a communication unit 26C.

The control unit 26B includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The arithmetic processing unit may be provided in multiple locations that are separate from one another. The control unit 26B may include one or multiple microcomputers. Preferably, the control unit 26B further includes a storage unit. The storage unit stores various control programs and information used in various control processes. The storage unit includes, for example, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes, for example, at least one of a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM. The control unit 26B includes at least one of a timer and a clock.

Preferably, the communication unit 26C is communicatively connected to the control unit 64 of the control device 62 via an electric cable or a wireless communication device. The battery unit 26 can communicate with the control unit 64, for example, via power line communication (PLC), CAN, or UART.

Preferably, the first battery 26A and the drive circuit 66 are connected via a first electric cable 65A. The control unit 64 controls the current supplied to the drive circuit 66 via the first electric cable 65A to control the motor 44.

The electrical system 24 has a plurality of control states. The plurality of control states include a first state, a second state, and a third state. The first state is a state in which power is supplied from the first battery 26A to the control unit 64, and power is supplied from the first battery 26A to the drive circuit 66 via the first electric cable 65A. The second state is a state in which power is supplied from the first battery 26A to the control unit 64, and power consumption in the control unit 64 is lower than that in the first state. In the second state, power may be supplied from the first battery 26A to the drive circuit 66 via the first electric cable 65A, and power may not be supplied from the first battery 26A to the drive circuit 66 via the first electric cable 65A. The third state is a state in which power is not supplied from the first battery 26A to the control unit 64, and power is not supplied from the first battery 26A to the drive circuit 66 via the first electric cable 65A. In the first state, the control unit 64 is configured to drive the motor 44 in response to at least one of, for example, the human-powered driving force input to the input rotating shaft 36, the rotational speed of the input rotating shaft 36, and the traveling speed of the human-powered vehicle 10. In the second state, the control unit 64 is, for example, a standby state in which the control unit 64 does not drive the motor 44. Preferably, in the first and second states, the control unit 64 causes the power of the first battery 26A to be supplied to components for the human-powered vehicle. In the third state, the power of the first battery 26A is not supplied to components for the human-powered vehicle.

Preferably, the electrical system 24 includes an interface device 28. The interface device 28 may include a cycle computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer. The interface device 28 includes a display unit 28A, an operation unit 28B, a control unit 28C, and a communication unit 28D. The display unit 28A includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The operation unit 28B includes, for example, a button. The operation unit 28B functions, for example, as a power button for the electrical system 24.

The control unit 28C includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The arithmetic processing unit may be provided in multiple locations that are separate from one another. The control unit 28C may include one or multiple microcomputers. Preferably, the control unit 28C further includes a storage unit. The storage unit stores various control programs and information used in various control processes. The storage unit includes, for example, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes, for example, at least one of a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM.

Preferably, the communication unit 28D is communicatively connected to the control unit 64 of the control device 62 via an electric cable or a wireless communication device. The battery unit 26 can communicate with the control unit 64, for example, via power line communication, CAN, or UART.

Preferably, the interface device 28 further includes a second battery 28E. The second battery 28E includes one or more battery elements. The battery elements include a rechargeable battery. The second battery 28E supplies power to the control unit 28C of the interface device 28. For example, when power is supplied from the battery unit 26 to the interface device 28, the control unit 28C may be configured to stop the supply of power from the second battery 28E to the control unit 28C of the interface device 28. The second battery 28E may be charged by the battery unit 26.

The process of switching the control state of the electrical system 24 executed by the control unit 64 of the control device 62 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. When power is supplied to the control unit 64, the control unit 64 starts the process and proceeds to step S11 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. When the flowchart in FIG. 12 ends, the control unit 64 repeats the process from step S11 after a predetermined period until the supply of power is stopped.

In step S11, the control unit 64 determines whether or not it is in the first state. If it is in the first state, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the drive unit 30 has not been operating for a predetermined first time T1 or more. For example, if the motor 44 has not been driven for a predetermined first time T1 or more, the control unit 64 determines that the drive unit 30 has not been operating for a predetermined first time T1 or more. If the drive unit 30 has not been operating for a predetermined first time T1 or more, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S13. If the determination in step S12 is NO, the control unit 64 ends the process.

In step S13, the control unit 64 switches the control state of the electrical system 24 from the first state to the second state and ends the process. For example, the control unit 64 enters a sleep state in the second state. In the second state, the control unit 64 may, for example, turn off a switch provided between the control unit 64 and the drive circuit 66 to disconnect the electrical connection between the control unit 64 and the drive circuit 66. In the second state, the control unit 64 may, for example, turn off a switch provided between the battery and the drive circuit 66 to disconnect the electrical connection between the battery and the drive circuit 66.

If the control unit 64 determines in step S11 that the state is not the first state, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 64 determines whether the state is the second state. If the state is not the second state, the control unit 64 ends the process. If the state is the second state, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the control unit 64 determines whether the second state continues for a predetermined second time T2 or more. If the second state continues for the predetermined second time T2 or more, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S16 .

In step S16, the control unit 64 switches the control state of the electrical system from the second state to the third state and ends the process.

If the determination in step S15 is NO, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the control unit 64 determines whether the operation unit 28B is operated or whether the detection information from at least one sensor provided in the human-powered vehicle 10 changes. The at least one sensor provided in the human-powered vehicle 10 includes, for example, at least one of a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the human-powered driving force input to the input rotating shaft 36, a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation state of the input rotating shaft, and a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the speed of the human-powered vehicle. The at least one sensor provided in the human-powered vehicle 10 transmits the detection information to the control unit 64 via an electric cable or a wireless communication device. If the control unit 64 determines in step S16 that the operation unit 28B has been operated or that the detection information from at least one sensor provided in the human-powered vehicle 10 has changed, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the control unit 64 switches the control state of the electrical system from the second state to the first state and ends the process. If the determination in step S17 is NO, the control unit 64 ends the process.

Preferably, the predetermined first time T1 is stored in a changeable manner in the memory unit of the control unit 64. The control unit 64 is configured to change the predetermined first time T1 stored in the memory unit by the operation unit 28B of the interface device 28.

Preferably, the predetermined second time T2 is stored in a changeable manner in the memory unit of the control unit 64. The control unit 64 is configured to change the predetermined second time T2 stored in the memory unit by the operation unit 28B of the interface device 28.

The control unit 28C of the interface device 28 and the control unit 64 of the control device 62 are connected via a second electric cable 65B. When the supply of power from the battery unit 26 to the control unit 64 of the control device 62 is stopped, the control unit 28C of the interface device 28 may be configured to supply power from the second battery 28E to the control unit 64 of the control device 62. For example, when the operation unit 28B is operated, the control unit 28C of the interface device 28 is configured to supply power from the second battery 28E to the control unit 64 of the control device 62 and start up the control unit 64 of the control device 62.

Preferably, the control unit 28C of the interface device 28 is configured to supply power from the second battery 28E to the control unit 64 of the control device 62 when the drive unit 30 is in the third state, and to obtain the first information from the control unit 64. Preferably, the first information includes information on at least one state of the drive unit 30 and the battery unit 26. Preferably, the first information includes at least one of information on an error in at least one of the drive unit 30 and the battery unit 26, and information on the remaining capacity of the first battery 26A of the battery unit 26. When the control unit 28C of the interface device 28 receives a signal including the first information from the control unit 64 of the control device 62, the control unit 28C is configured to display the first information and corresponding second information on the display unit 28A. The second information includes, for example, at least one of characters and an image that allow the user to understand the first information.

The process of displaying the second information on the display unit 28A executed by the control unit 28C of the interface device 28 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. When power is supplied to the control unit 28C in response to the operation of the operation unit 28B, the control unit 28C starts the process and proceeds to step S21 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13. When the flowchart in FIG. 13 ends, the control unit 28C repeats the process from step S21 after a predetermined period until the supply of power is stopped.

In step S21, the control unit 28C determines whether the operation unit 28B has been operated. If the operation unit 28B has not been operated, the control unit 28C ends the process. If the operation unit 28B has been operated, the control unit 28C proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the control unit 28C determines whether the control state of the electrical system 24 is the third state. For example, when power is not being supplied from the first battery 26A, the control unit 28C determines that the control state of the electrical system 24 is the third state. When the control state of the electrical system 24 is not the third state, the control unit 28C ends the processing. When the control state is the third state, the control unit 28C proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the control unit 28C supplies power from the second battery 28E to the drive unit 30, requests the first information, and proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the control unit 28C determines whether or not a signal including the first information has been received. The control unit 28C repeats the determination process of step S24 until a signal including the first information is received. When the control unit 28C receives a signal including the first information, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the control unit 28C causes the display unit 28A to display the second information corresponding to the first information, and ends the process.

The process of transmitting a signal including the first information executed by the control unit 64 of the control device 62 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. When power is supplied to the control unit 64 from the second battery 28E of the interface device 28, the control unit 64 of the control device 62 starts the process and proceeds to step S31 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14. When the flowchart of FIG. 14 ends, the control unit 64 repeats the process from step S31 after a predetermined period until the supply of power is stopped.

In step S31, the control unit 64 determines whether or not there is a request for the first information from the interface device 28. If there is no request for the first information, the control unit 64 ends the process. If there is a request for the first information, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the control unit 64 transmits a signal including the first information to the interface device 28 and ends the process. For example, the control unit 64 may transmit the first information stored in the storage unit until the previous startup to the interface device 28, or may detect the current first information and transmit it to the interface device 28. If the first information includes information regarding the state of the battery unit 26, the control unit 64 may obtain information regarding the state of the battery unit 26 from the control unit 28C of the battery unit 26 and transmit it to the interface device 28. If the first information includes information regarding the state of the battery unit 26, the control unit 64 may store information regarding the state of the battery unit 26 in the storage unit in the first state or the second state, and transmit the stored information to the interface device 28.

When the control state of the electrical system 24 is the third state, the control unit 28C uses the power of the second battery 28E to display the second information corresponding to the first information on the display unit 28A, so that the user can grasp the first information even if power is not supplied from the battery unit 26 to the control unit 64.

The communication section 26C of the battery unit 26 and the communication section 28D of the interface device 28 may be configured to perform wireless communication. In this case, for example, when the first information is requested from the control section 28C of the interface device 28, the control section 64 of the control device 62 may transmit a command signal to the control section 26B of the battery unit 26 to transmit a wireless signal including the first information from the communication section 26C of the battery unit 26 to the communication section 28D of the interface device 28.

Preferably, the battery unit 26 is configured such that the first battery 26A is charged by the charger 70. The charger 70 is connected to, for example, an external power source 71. The external power source 71 may be a commercial AC power source or a rechargeable battery. The charger 70 includes, for example, a control unit 70A and a communication unit 70B.

The control unit 70A includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The arithmetic processing unit may be provided in multiple locations that are separate from one another. The control unit 70A may include one or multiple microcomputers. Preferably, the control unit 70A further includes a storage unit. The storage unit stores various control programs and information used in various control processes. The storage unit includes, for example, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes, for example, at least one of a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM.

The control unit 70A is configured to control the supply of power from the external power source 71 to the first battery 26A.
Preferably, the control unit 70A is configured to control the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26 to be a predetermined current value. The predetermined current value is set according to the type of the first battery 26A. Preferably, the predetermined current value is stored in advance in a storage unit of the control unit 26B of the battery unit 26. Preferably, the control unit 26B of the battery unit 26 is configured to transmit information on the type of the battery unit 26 or information including the predetermined current value to the control unit 70A of the charger 70 via the communication unit 26C and the communication unit 70B. When the control unit 70A receives information on the type of the battery unit 26 from the control unit 26B of the battery unit 26, information indicating a correspondence relationship between the type of the first battery 26A and the predetermined current value is stored in the storage unit.

Preferably, the predetermined current value includes a first current value and a second current value smaller than the first current value. Preferably, the control unit 70A is configured to control the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26 to be one of the first current value and the second current value according to the voltage of the battery unit 26. Preferably, the control unit 70A is configured to control the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26 to be the first current value when the voltage of the battery unit 26 is equal to or higher than the first voltage. Preferably, the control unit 70A is configured to control the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26 to be the second current value when the voltage of the battery unit 26 is less than the first voltage. The first voltage is, for example, the maximum voltage among the battery voltages at which the remaining battery charge can be determined to be substantially 0%.

Preferably, the control unit 70A is configured to stop charging when the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined third current value. The predetermined third current value is set according to the type of the battery unit 26. Preferably, the predetermined third current value is stored in advance in a storage unit of the control unit 26B of the battery unit 26. When the control unit 70A receives information on the type of the battery unit 26 from the control unit 26B of the battery unit 26, information indicating a correspondence between the type of the battery unit 26 and the predetermined third current value is stored in the storage unit. When the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined third current value, the control unit 70A stops the supply of power to the battery unit 26.
Preferably, the control unit 70A is configured to detect the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26, and stop charging when the charging current value, which is the current value of the power supplied to the battery unit 26, becomes equal to or less than a fourth current value. The fourth current value is smaller than the third current value. The fourth current value is smaller than the first current value. The fourth current value is, for example, 100 mA. The control unit can stop charging when the battery unit 26 is fully charged even if it cannot obtain information on the type of the battery unit 26 or information on the fourth current value from the battery unit 26.

The charging process executed by the control unit 70A of the charger 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. When the external power source 71 and the battery unit 26 are connected via the charger 70, the control unit 70A starts the process and proceeds to step S41 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15. When the flowchart in FIG. 15 ends, the control unit 70A repeats the process from step S41 after a predetermined period until the connection between the charger 70 and the external power source 71 is released.

In step S41, the control unit 70A determines whether the battery unit 26 is connected. If the battery unit 26 is not connected, the control unit 70A ends the process. If the battery unit 26 is connected, the control unit 70A proceeds to step S42. For example, when the control unit 70A communicates with the control unit 26B of the battery unit 26 via the communication unit 70B, the control unit 70A determines that the battery unit 26 is connected.

In step S42, the control unit 70A acquires information about charging from the battery unit 26 and proceeds to step S43. The information about charging includes, for example, the type of the battery unit 26. The type of the battery unit 26 may be the maximum capacity (Ah) of the first battery 26A or the model number of the battery unit 26. The information about charging includes the first current value, the second current value, and the third current value instead of the type of the battery unit 26. When the information about charging is the maximum capacity (Ah) of the first battery 26A or the model number of the battery unit 26, the memory unit of the control unit 70A prestores information about the first current value, the second current value, and the third current value corresponding to the maximum capacity (Ah) of the first battery 26A or the model number of the battery unit 26. The charger 70 has a first voltage detector that detects the voltage of the first battery 26A. The first voltage detector is connected to the control unit 26B. The battery unit may have a second voltage detector that detects the voltage of the first battery 26A, and may transmit information regarding the current voltage of the first battery 26A to the control unit 26B. In step S43, the control unit 70A determines whether the voltage of the battery unit 26 is equal to or higher than the first voltage. If the voltage of the battery unit 26 is equal to or higher than the first voltage, the control unit 70A proceeds to step S44.

In step S44, the control unit 70A supplies power to the battery unit 26 so that the current supplied to the first battery 26A becomes the first current value, and proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the control unit 70A determines whether the charging current value is equal to or less than the third current value. If the charging current value is not equal to or less than the third current value, the control unit 70A repeats the process of step S45 until the process is terminated. When the charging current value becomes equal to or less than the third current value, the control unit 70A proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the control unit 70A stops charging and terminates the process.

If the control unit 70A determines in step S43 that the voltage of the battery unit 26 is not equal to or greater than the first voltage, the control unit 70A proceeds to step S47. In step S47, the control unit 70A supplies power to the battery unit so that the second current value is obtained, and proceeds to step S48. Preferably, in step S48, the control unit 70A performs a determination process using the latest voltage of the battery unit 26 detected by the first voltage detector, or the latest voltage of the battery unit 26 obtained from the battery unit 26. Preferably, in step S48, when the control unit 70A determines using the current voltage of the battery unit 26 obtained from the battery unit 26, and when the current voltage of the battery unit 26 cannot be obtained from the battery unit 26, the control unit 70A may end the process.

The control unit 70A is configured to supply power to the battery unit 26 according to the first current value, so that the first battery 26A can be charged in a manner suitable for the first battery 26A. The control unit 70A is configured to supply power to the battery unit 26 according to the first current value according to the second current value when the remaining voltage of the battery unit 26 is less than the first voltage, so that the first battery 26A can be charged in a manner suitable for the first battery 26A when the voltage of the battery unit 26 is low. The control unit 70A stops the supply of power to the battery unit 26 according to the third current value, so that the first battery 26A can be charged in a manner suitable for the first battery 26A. The control unit 70A stops the supply of power to the battery unit 26 according to the fourth current value, so that the charging can be stopped even if the information on the fourth current value from the battery unit 26 and the information on the type of the first battery 26A cannot be obtained after the charging is started.

<Modification>
The description of the embodiments is an example of possible forms of a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and a human-powered vehicle according to the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the forms. A drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and a human-powered vehicle according to the present disclosure may take the form of, for example, a modified version of the embodiment shown below, or a combination of at least two mutually compatible modified versions. In the following modified versions, parts common to the embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

- As shown in FIG. 16, when the drive unit 30 is attached to the frame 12 and viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36, at least a portion of the contact portion 38 may be disposed in the second region R2. The second region R2 is formed between the seat tube 18 of the frame 12 and the down tube 16 of the frame 12 around the rotation axis C1 of the input rotation shaft 36.

- The drive unit 30 may include a plurality of first mounting portions 34. In this case, at least a portion of the contact portion 38 of at least one of the first mounting portions 34 may be disposed in a first region R1 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36 with the drive unit 30 attached to the frame 12, and at least a portion of the contact portion 38 of at least another of the first mounting portions 34 may be disposed in a second region R2 when viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft 36 with the drive unit 30 attached to the frame 12.

The first hole 40 does not have to include the first female threaded portion 40A. In this case, for example, a female threaded portion is formed on the inner periphery that defines the first through hole 22B of the bracket 22, and the bolt 42A of the first fastener 42 is inserted into the first hole 40 and coupled to the female threaded portion of the bracket 22, with the first attachment portion 34 being sandwiched between the head 42B of the bolt 42A and the bracket 22.

- There is no particular limitation on the structure provided inside the housing 32 of the drive unit 30. For example, the drive unit 30 may omit the motor 44 and include an internal transmission. The internal transmission is provided in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force between the input rotating shaft 36 and the output part 54. The internal transmission may include a planetary gear mechanism or a continuously variable transmission.

- The first fastener 42 may include a rivet instead of the bolt 42A. If the first fastener 42 includes a rivet, the first female threaded portion 40A is omitted. The second fastener 50 may include a rivet instead of the bolt 50A. If the second fastener 50 includes a rivet, the second female threaded portion 48A is omitted.

The charger 70 may acquire SOC (State Of Charge) information from the battery unit 26 and stop charging. The control unit 26B of the battery unit 26 calculates the SOC information, for example, from the voltage and charge/discharge information of the first battery 26A. The control unit 70A of the charger 70 may acquire the SOC information from the control unit 26B of the battery unit 26 in step S42 of FIG. 5. If the SOC information indicates that the battery unit 26 is charged at 100 percent, the control unit 70A of the charger 70 does not perform charging and ends the process. If the SOC information indicates that the battery unit 26 is charged at less than 100 percent, the control unit 70A of the charger 70 proceeds to step S43.

The term "at least one" as used herein means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, the term "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "both of two options" if the number of options is two. As another example, the term "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "any combination of two or more options" if the number of options is three or more.

10...human-powered vehicle, 12...frame, 16...down tube, 18...seat tube, 20...chain stay, 22...bracket, 30...drive unit, 32...housing, 32A...first part, 32B...second part, 32C...connection part, 34...first mounting part, 36...input rotating shaft, 38...contact part, 40...first hole, 40A...first female threaded part, 42...first fastener, 42A...bolt, 44...motor, 46...second mounting part, 48...second hole, 50...second fastener.

Claims (14)

A drive unit for a human-powered vehicle,
a housing provided with an input rotating shaft to which a manual driving force is input;
a first mounting portion integrally formed with the housing as a single member and configured to be mounted to a frame of the human-powered vehicle;
The first attachment portion is
a contact portion configured to come into contact with the frame from above or in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane when the human-powered vehicle is placed on a horizontal plane and the drive unit is attached to the frame;
a first hole formed in the contact portion and configured to receive a portion of a first fastener connecting the first attachment portion to the frame, the first hole extending in a first direction non-parallel to the input rotation axis;
when viewed in an axial direction of the input rotation shaft with the drive unit attached to the frame, at least a portion of the contact portion is disposed in a first region that is formed between a seat tube of the frame and a chain stay of the frame around a rotation axis of the input rotation shaft,
When the drive unit is attached to the frame, at least a portion of the contact portion is disposed in a central portion of the housing in an axial direction of the input rotation shaft ,
the housing includes a protrusion protruding outward from an outer periphery of the housing,
The protrusion protrudes in an extension direction of the first hole,
The contact portion is provided on the protrusion,
A drive unit , wherein one of the first holes is provided in one of the protrusions . The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein when the drive unit is attached to the frame and viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft, at least a portion of the contact portion is disposed in a second region formed between the seat tube of the frame and the down tube of the frame around the rotation axis of the input rotation shaft. The drive unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact portion is provided on the housing except for both ends in the front-rear direction of the frame when the drive unit is attached to the frame. at least one second mounting portion configured to be attached to the frame and disposed at a different location from the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion being integrally formed with the housing as a single member;
4. A drive unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one second mounting portion includes a second hole configured to accommodate a portion of a second fastener connecting the second mounting portion to the frame and extending in a second direction parallel to the input rotation axis. the at least one second mounting portion includes a plurality of second mounting portions;
The drive unit according to claim 4 , wherein the second attachment portions are provided at different positions around the input rotation shaft. The drive unit according to claim 5, wherein the input rotating shaft is disposed in a region surrounded by the second mounting portions and the contact portion when viewed in the axial direction of the input rotating shaft. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the input rotating shaft. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the drive unit is attached to the frame and viewed from the axial direction of the input rotation shaft, the first direction is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction of the frame. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a motor provided in the housing and configured to provide a propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle. the housing includes a first portion that supports the motor and a second portion that supports the input rotation shaft,
The drive unit according to claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the first attachment portion is provided at a connection portion between the first portion and the second portion. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein when the drive unit is attached to the frame, at least a portion of the first attachment portion is located rearward of the input rotation shaft of the human-powered vehicle. the first bore is defined by a first internal thread;
The drive unit of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener comprises a bolt. A human-powered vehicle,
A drive unit for a human-powered vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12;
and a frame of the human-powered vehicle. The frame includes:
Down tube and
Seat tube and
Chain stays and
a bracket connected to the down tube, the seat tube, and the chain stay;
The human-powered vehicle according to claim 13 , wherein the contact portion contacts the bracket.