JP2003182668A - Electric power assist bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric power assist bicycle capable of extending a range by securing large battery capacity. <P>SOLUTION: In the electric power assist bicycle 1 loading a battery case housing a plurality of batteries and a power unit 19 including an electric motor 21 to operate with receiving electric power supply from the batteries, a plurality of the battery cases 40A, 40B is detachably loaded in a main frame (a structure element of a vehicle body frame) 9. Since a plurality of the battery cases 40A, 408 can be loaded in the main frame 9, large battery capacity is secured to extend the range of the electric power assist bicycle 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric power assisted bicycle that travels with the output of an electric motor as auxiliary power.

2. Description of the Related Art This type of electric assisted bicycle reduces the physical load on the rider by supplementing the driving force by human power with auxiliary power by an electric motor.
There are a type that supplements auxiliary power proportional to human power and a type that can be self-propelled only by a motor by an accelerator operation irrespective of human power, and it is essential to install a battery as a power source for this. Since the battery is charged and repeatedly used, its attachment / detachment is indispensable. By the way, in practice, a plurality of shrink-packed battery cells are housed in a battery case, and the battery case is attached to and detached from the vehicle body frame, for example.

However, in the prior art, for example, the main frame, which constitutes the vehicle body frame, could only be loaded with a single battery case in terms of space, so a large battery capacity could not be secured, and the bicycle frame There was a limit to the cruising range. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric assisted bicycle that can secure a large battery capacity and extend the cruising range.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a battery case containing a battery, and an electric motor which operates by receiving supply of electric power from the battery. An electric power-assisted bicycle having a power unit configured therein is characterized in that a plurality of the battery cases are detachably mounted in one component of a vehicle body frame. The invention according to claim 2 is
The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a rib for partitioning the plurality of battery cases is provided in one component of the vehicle body frame. The invention according to claim 3 is
The invention according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that an opening of one component of the vehicle body frame is closed by the battery case. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of battery cases can be loaded in one component of the vehicle body frame, a large battery capacity can be secured and the cruising range of the power-assisted bicycle can be extended. it can. According to the invention described in claim 2, since the plurality of battery cases are partitioned by the ribs provided in one component of the vehicle body frame, the battery cases can be attached and detached smoothly, and the rattling of the battery cases in the mounted state can occur. Is suppressed by the ribs. According to the invention described in claim 3, since the opening of one component of the vehicle body frame is closed by the battery case itself, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and attach / detach workability of the battery case without separately requiring a dedicated lid member. Can be improved.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric assisted bicycle according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of a main frame portion of the same electric assisted bicycle, FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of portion A of FIG. 1, and FIG.
5 is a plan sectional view of the same section A, FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view of the lock mechanism, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is CC of FIG.
It is a line sectional view. The power-assisted bicycle 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a recumbent type vehicle body frame, and a head pipe 2 is located at the front of the vehicle body.
A steering shaft 3 is rotatably inserted in the shaft. The steering shaft 3 extends obliquely upward from the head pipe 2 toward the rear of the vehicle body, a hunt dollar 4 is attached to the upper end of the steering shaft 3, and a grip 5 (attached to the left and right ends of the handle 4). A brake lever 6 (only one is shown) is provided near one (only one is shown).
A front fork 7 is attached to the lower end of the steering shaft 3, and a front wheel 8 is rotatably supported on the lower end of the front fork 7. On the other hand, from the head pipe 2, a square pipe-shaped main frame 9
Extend substantially horizontally toward the rear of the vehicle body, and triangular truss-shaped rear stays 1 are provided on the left and right of the rear portion of the main frame 9.
The upper part of 0 is welded. A rear wheel 11 is rotatably supported between the lower ends of the pair of left and right rear stays 10. A front brake 12 provided on the front fork 7 and a rear brake 13 provided on the rear stay 10 are connected to the left and right brake levers 6 via brake wires 14 and 15, respectively. The seat 1 is provided on the rear portion of the main frame 9.
6 is installed so that the position in the front-back direction can be adjusted, and a backrest 17 is attached to the seat 16. Further, a pair of left and right brackets 18 are welded to the lower end of the main frame 9 and a power unit 19 is attached to the brackets 18 by bolts 20. Here, the power unit 19 is configured by arranging a drive system by human power and a drive system by an electric motor 21 in parallel,
In addition to the electric motor 21, a reduction mechanism (not shown),
A pedaling force detecting means and the like are included. The power unit 19 is rotatably supported by a crankshaft 22 arranged in a lateral direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1), and a crank 23 (one side in FIG. (Only shown) are attached, and a pedal 24 is pivotally supported at the end of each crank 23. Also, the crankshaft 2
A large-diameter drive sprocket 25 is mounted on the drive wheel 2, and the drive sprocket 25 and the rear wheel 1
An endless chain 27 is wound between the small diameter wheel sprocket 26 attached to the No. 1 and tensioners 28 and 29 apply a predetermined tension to the chain 27. By the way, the main frame 9 is formed into a square pipe shape by extrusion molding, and the controller 30 is housed in the front inside thereof. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 30 is incorporated into the main frame 9 through an opening formed in the lower surface of the main frame 9, and is attached to the main frame 9 by a bolt 31 screwed to the lower portion thereof. . On the left and right sides of the rear surface of the controller 30, three motor-side male terminals 32 are vertically projected horizontally at appropriate intervals and extend rearward from the controller 30, as shown in FIG. The cable 33 is connected to an indicator 34 fixed to the handle 4. A lock mechanism 35 is attached to the step portion formed on the upper portion of the controller 30 by a bolt 36 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
The key cylinder 37 of the lock mechanism 35 penetrates the upper surface of the main frame 9 and is erected upward.
The periphery thereof is covered with a resin cover 38, and a key 39 is inserted into a key hole opened on the upper surface of the key cylinder 37. Thus, it is indispensable to mount a battery as a drive source of the controller 30 and the power unit 19 on the power-assisted bicycle 1, but in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. Two battery cases 40A and 40B on the left and right sides are detachably mounted. Here, each of the battery cases 40A and 40B is configured such that a rechargeable battery cell (secondary battery) 41 is housed in a laterally placed state in a state in which a total of 24 pieces are shrink-packed in upper and lower two stages. , These are loaded in parallel on the left and right sides of the main frame 9. That is,
The rear end of the main frame 9 is open, and the inside of the main frame 9 is divided into left and right spaces by a vertical rib (vertical wall) 9a (see FIG. 4) formed at the center in the width direction by extrusion molding. 40A and 40B are inserted into and removed from the left and right spaces through the rear end opening of the main frame 9, and at this time, the battery case 40 is attached by the vertical rib 9a.
The A and 40B can be smoothly taken in and out, and rattling in the mounted state can be suppressed. As shown in FIG. 3, two ribs 40A ″ (40B ″) are formed in the longitudinal direction on the upper and lower surfaces of the battery case 40A (40B). These two ribs 40A ″ (40B ″) form the ribs 40A ″ (40B ″). The battery cases 40A and 40B can be smoothly taken in and out, and
Rattling in the mounted state is suppressed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the left and right battery cases 40A, 40
When B is loaded in the main frame 9, the rear end opening of the main frame 9 is covered by the rear end walls 40A ′, 40B ′ of the left and right battery cases 40A, 40B. In addition, the handle 40 is provided on the rear end walls 40A 'and 40B'.
a and 40b are integrally formed. By the way, at the front end of each of the left and right battery cases 40A, 40B, a receptacle 42 having a discharge male terminal that is automatically contacted and separated when the battery cases 40A, 40B are attached and detached is incorporated. The charging connector 43 is exposed on the outer side surface of the (see FIG. 3). Also, FIG.
And, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the left and right battery cases 40
At the front ends of A and 40B, narrow engaging protrusions 44A and 4A
4B are vertically projecting vertically in a staggered state. Engagement grooves 44a and 44b are respectively formed in the inner surfaces of the engagement protrusions 44A and 44B facing each other (see FIG. 4). The lock mechanism 35 is arranged in the space formed by the engagement protrusions 44A and 44B. Here, the structure of the lock mechanism 35 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, a shaft 46 extending downward from the key cylinder 37 is housed in a case 45 below the key cylinder 37 of the lock mechanism 35, and a lever 46 is provided at an intermediate portion of the shaft 46. 47 is integrally formed, and a pin 47a is projected downward at one end of the lever 47, and a pin 47b is projected upward at the other end. Further, in the case 45, upper and lower two-stage lock claws 48a and 48b slidably held in the left-right direction are housed, and the pin 4 is provided on the protrusion formed at the base of each lock claw 48a and 48b.
7a and 47b are engaged with each other. The lock claws 48a and 48b are urged outward (locking direction) by springs 49, and when the battery cases 40A and 40B are loaded in the main frame 9 as shown in the figure, the left and right Lock claws 48a, 48
b is projected from the case 45 laterally by the urging force of the spring 49, and the engagement groove 44 formed on the inner surface of the engagement protrusions 44A, 44B of the battery cases 40A, 40B.
The battery cases 40A and 40B are locked by being engaged with a and 44b to prevent the battery cases 40A and 40B from falling off the main frame 9. Thus, the power-assisted bicycle 1 is used with the battery cases 40A and 40B mounted in the main frame 9, but the pedal effort of the rider while the power-assisted bicycle 1 is running is not stored in the power unit 19. It is detected by the pedaling force detection means shown in the figure, and the detection signal is input to the controller 30. Then, the controller 30 supplies electric power proportional to the magnitude of the detected pedaling force from the battery cell 41 to the electric motor 21, and the electric motor 21 generates auxiliary power of a magnitude proportional to the pedaling force to crank it. Output to the shaft 22. Therefore, the crankshaft 22 is rotationally driven by both the pedaling force and the auxiliary power, and the rotation is transmitted to the rear wheel 11 via the drive sprocket 25, the chain 27, and the wheel sprocket 26, and the rear wheel 11 is rotationally driven and electrically assisted. The bicycle 1 is driven. As described above, in the power-assisted bicycle 1, the driving force of the rear wheels 11 is supplemented by the assist power of the electric motor 21, so that the physical load on the rider is reduced accordingly. By the way, when the battery cell 41 is charged due to the voltage drop of the battery cell 41 due to use, the battery cases 40A and 40B are pulled out from the main frame 9 toward the rear of the vehicle body.
0B is pulled out as follows. That is, by inserting the key 39 into the key cylinder 37 of the lock mechanism 35 and turning the key 39 in the direction of arrow a in FIGS. 6 and 7, the shaft 46 and the lever 47 and the pins 47a, 4 integrally formed with the shaft 46 are formed.
7b rotates in the same direction, and the pins 47a and 47b engage with the protrusions of the lock claws 48a and 48b, respectively.
48b against the biasing force of the spring 49.
Of the lock claws 48a, 4 for sliding in the direction of arrow b
8b sinks in the case 45 at the same time as shown by the chain line. As a result, the lock claws 48a and 48b are disengaged from the engagement grooves 44a and 44b of the battery cases 40A and 40B, so that the battery cases 40A and 40B are also released from the locked state and the grips 40a and 40b are held. Both the battery cases 40A, 40B are pulled out to the rear of the vehicle body and taken out from the main frame 9, and the charging connector 4 exposed on the taken out battery cases 40A, 40B.
3 (see FIG. 3) can be used to charge the battery 41. Then, when the charging of the battery cells 41 is completed, the battery cases 40A and 40B are moved to the main frame 9
The battery cases 40A and 40B are mounted in the main frame 9 by inserting them into the left and right spaces in the main frame 9 from the rear end opening and pushing them forward of the vehicle body, but the lock mechanism is not operated by keys. However, at the same time when the battery cases 40A, 40B are mounted, the R portions of the engaging protrusions 44A, 44B of the battery cases 40A, 40B abut against the R portions of the lock claws 48a, 48b of the lock mechanism 35 to press them. And retreat, and the engagement grooves 44a and 44b formed on the inner surfaces of the engagement protrusions 44A and 44B are locked by the lock claws 48.
The lock claws 48a and 48 are reached when the positions of a and 48b are reached.
b is engaged with the engaging grooves 44a, 4a by the urging force of the spring 49.
Since the battery cases 40A and 40B are engaged with 4b, the mounted state of the battery cases 40A and 40B is locked, and their falling off from the main frame 9 is prevented. Then, the battery cases 40A and 40B
Simultaneously with mounting, the receptacle 42 of each battery case 40A, 40B and the motor-side male terminal 32 on the controller 30 side are connected, and the battery cell 41 can be discharged. It is not always necessary to remove both battery cases 10A and 40B at the same time for charging, and it is also possible to remove only one battery case 40A or 40B whose voltage has dropped due to use and use it for charging. Indicator 3 with information on handle 4
4 (see FIG. 1). As described above, in the present embodiment, the two battery cases 40 are provided in the large-diameter main frame 9 that constitutes one component of the vehicle body frame.
Since A and 40B are loaded, a large battery capacity can be secured, and as a result, the cruising range of the power-assisted bicycle 1 can be extended. Further, since the left and right battery cases 40A and 40B are partitioned by the vertical rib 9a provided in the main frame 9, the battery cases 40A and 40B can be smoothly attached and detached, and rattling in the mounted state can be prevented by the vertical ribs. It is suppressed by 9a. Further, in the present embodiment, the battery cases 40A and 40B themselves (specifically, the handles 40a and 40b).
Since the opening of the main frame 9 is closed by the rear end walls 40A ', 40B' in which the parts are formed, the number of parts is reduced and the workability of attaching / detaching the battery cases 40A, 40B is not required separately. Can be improved.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a power unit including a battery case accommodating a battery and an electric motor which operates by receiving power from the battery. In the power-assisted bicycle including the above-mentioned battery, the plurality of battery cases are detachably loaded into one component of the vehicle body frame, so that a large battery capacity can be secured and the cruising range of the power-assisted bicycle can be extended. The effect of being able to be obtained is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electrically assisted bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of a main frame of the power-assisted bicycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion A of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of a portion A in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view of a lock mechanism.

6 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Electric Assist Bicycle 9 Main Frame (One Component of Body Frame) 9a Vertical Rib 19 Power Unit 21 Electric Motor 30 Controllers 40A, 40B Battery Cases 40a, 40b Handle 41 Battery

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A battery-assisted bicycle including a battery case accommodating a battery and a power unit configured to include an electric motor that operates by receiving electric power from the battery, wherein a plurality of battery cases are provided. An electric power-assisted bicycle characterized in that the vehicle is detachably loaded into one component of the body frame. 2. The power-assisted bicycle according to claim 1, wherein a rib for partitioning the plurality of battery cases is provided in one component of the body frame. 3. The electric assisted bicycle according to claim 1, wherein an opening of one component of the body frame is closed by the battery case.