JP7489654B2 - Electric bicycle locking system and unlocking method, and electric bicycle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a locking system and an unlocking method for an electric bicycle , and to an electric bicycle .

In recent years, a system known as a smart key system has been put into practical use for automobiles, which has the function of locking and unlocking (also called unlocking) the doors of an automobile without touching an unlocking means such as a key (Patent Document 1, etc.). In this smart key system, the unlocking device corresponding to the key is provided with a transmitter capable of transmitting information such as the automobile's identification number, and the automobile is provided with a locking device having a receiver and controller capable of receiving the identification number information, and a battery that serves as the power source for these. The receiver and controller of the automobile are constantly powered by the battery and are in a standby state in which they can receive signals from the unlocking device.

When a person (called the "holder") who has an unlocking device that transmits identification number information corresponding to a vehicle approaches the vehicle, the control unit recognizes that the receiver of the locking device has received the unique identification number information emitted from the unlocking device, and the vehicle is automatically unlocked. Furthermore, when the holder of the unlocking device leaves the vehicle, the control unit recognizes that the receiver can no longer receive the unique identification number information, and the vehicle is locked. With this configuration, the vehicle is unlocked simply by the holder of the unlocking device approaching the vehicle, which is convenient as it saves the holder the trouble of manually unlocking the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle is automatically locked when the holder leaves the vehicle, which prevents the holder from forgetting to lock it.

A similar configuration is also used for motorcycles, also known as scooters and bikes, and when a person (carrier) carrying an unlocking device corresponding to the motorcycle approaches the motorcycle, the control unit recognizes that a unique identification number information emitted from the unlocking device has been received by the receiver, and unlocks the wheel locking device. This system is disclosed in Patent Document 2 and elsewhere. In this configuration, the receiver and control unit of the motorcycle are constantly powered by the battery installed on the motorcycle as a power source, and are in a standby state in which they can receive a signal from the unlocking device.

By the way, electric bicycles (also called electrically assisted bicycles) are already widely known. They have a battery as a power source and a motor drive unit equipped with a motor that is powered by the battery. By adding the auxiliary drive force (assist force) of the motor drive unit to the human drive force generated by the force applied to the pedals, the electric bicycle can be easily ridden even uphill.

As with regular bicycles, electric bicycles often use a locking device known as a circle lock to prevent theft. This type of bicycle locking device is composed of an arc-shaped latch, an arc-shaped (C-shaped) lock case that can store the latch and has an opening in part, and a locking mechanism. When locking, an operating part integrated with the latch is manually operated to close the opening with the latch. When unlocking, the opening is opened by inserting a key and turning it.

It is conceivable that such a bicycle locking device could be installed on an electric bicycle, and that it could be equipped with a function that allows the locking device to be unlocked without touching the unlocking device, like a smart key system for an automobile. This would allow the person carrying the unlocking device (the owner) to unlock the electric bicycle simply by approaching it, eliminating the need to manually unlock it, making it more convenient. One method for achieving this operation would be to provide the unlocking device with a transmitter capable of transmitting unique identification number information corresponding to the electric bicycle, and to provide the electric bicycle with a locking device having a receiver and control unit capable of receiving the identification number information, and a battery to power these. Another conceivable configuration would be to constantly power the receiver and control unit of the locking device of the electric bicycle using a battery as a power source, and to stand by in a state where they can receive signals from the unlocking device.

JP 2013-23010 A JP 2008-195242 A

However, if an electric bicycle uses a battery as a power source to constantly supply power to the receiver and control unit of the locking device, the amount of stored power in the battery will gradually decrease even when the electric bicycle is not in use, and this will reduce the distance that the electric bicycle can travel with the auxiliary driving force added.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing an electric bicycle locking system, an unlocking method, and an electric bicycle that not only can be unlocked without manual unlocking operations when a person carrying an unlocking device approaches, but also can prevent the battery's stored power from decreasing even when the electric bicycle is not being used.

In order to solve the above problems, the electric bicycle locking system (locking system device) of the present invention is an electric bicycle equipped with a drive unit having a motor that generates driving force for traveling and a battery that supplies power to the drive unit, a locking device that can be switched between locked and unlocked states is attached to the electric bicycle, and a portable unlocking device is provided that unlocks the locking device by sending an unlocking signal that includes unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle, and an electric bicycle locked by the locking device can be unlocked by sending an unlocking signal from the unlocking device, and the electric bicycle is provided with a main body communication unit that communicates with the unlocking device, a power button that turns power supply from the battery on and off, and an unlocking control unit, and when the power button is turned on, power is supplied from the battery to the drive unit, main body communication unit and unlocking control unit , making it possible to add driving force for traveling, and the unlocking control unit unlocks the locking device when it receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device.

In addition, the method of unlocking an electric bicycle of the present invention is a method of unlocking an electric bicycle that is equipped with a drive unit having a motor that generates driving force for traveling and a battery that supplies power to the drive unit, and is fitted with a locking device that can be switched between locked and unlocked states, by sending an unlocking signal containing unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle from a portable unlocking device, and is characterized in that the electric bicycle is provided with a main body communication unit that communicates with the unlocking device, and a power button that turns power supply from the battery on and off, and when the power button is turned on, power is supplied from the battery to the drive unit and main body communication unit , making it possible to add driving force for traveling, and when the unlocking signal is received from the unlocking device, the locking device is unlocked.

According to the electric bicycle locking system and unlocking method of the present invention, when a person carrying an unlocking device approaches the electric bicycle and the main body communication unit receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device, the bicycle is unlocked without the need for manual unlocking operations. In addition, when the power button is turned on, power is supplied from the battery to the main body communication unit. Therefore, when the electric bicycle is not being used and the power button is turned off, power is not supplied from the battery to the main body communication unit, etc.

The electric bicycle locking system of the present invention is characterized in that the main body communication unit has a main body transmission unit and a main body receiving unit, and when the power button is turned on to supply power to the main body communication unit and the unlocking control unit, the unlocking control unit causes the main body transmission unit to transmit a transmission instruction signal to the unlocking device, and when the unlocking device receives the transmission instruction signal from the main body communication unit, it transmits an unlocking signal, and when the unlocking control unit receives the unlocking signal by the main body receiving unit, it unlocks the locking device.

The method of unlocking an electric bicycle of the present invention is characterized in that the main body communication unit has a transmission function and a reception function, and when the power button is turned on, power is supplied to the main body communication unit, a transmission instruction signal is transmitted from the main body transmission unit to the unlocking device, and when the unlocking device receives the transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit, it transmits an unlocking signal, and when the unlocking signal is received by the main body reception unit, it unlocks the locking device.

According to the electric bicycle locking system and unlocking method of the present invention, when the power button is turned on, power is supplied to the main body communication unit, and a transmission instruction signal is sent from the main body transmission unit to the unlocking device. When the unlocking device receives the transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit, it transmits an unlocking signal, and when the unlocking signal is received by the main body reception unit, the locking device is unlocked. In other words, when the power button is turned on, the main body communication unit transmits a transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit to the unlocking device, and then receives the unlocking signal from the unlocking device, so battery usage at this time can be kept low. Also, the unlocking device only needs to transmit the unlocking signal when it receives the transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit, and does not need to constantly transmit the unlocking signal, so battery usage on the unlocking device side can also be kept low.

The electric bicycle locking system of the present invention is also characterized in that the unlocking device is provided with a prohibition selection section that prohibits the transmission of an unlocking signal. With this configuration, even if the unlocking device is near the electric bicycle and the power button of the electric bicycle is turned on, the bicycle can remain locked.

The electric bicycle locking system of the present invention is also characterized in that it has two power buttons: a main power button attached to the front of the electric bicycle, and an auxiliary power button attached to the rear of the electric bicycle, and power supply from the battery can be turned on and off using either power button. With this configuration, in a situation where other bicycles are parked close to each other on either side in a bicycle parking lot or the like, and there is little space for a person to fit between the other bicycles and the electric bicycle using this locking system, making it difficult to reach the power button attached to the front of the electric bicycle, the power can be turned on by pressing the auxiliary power button attached to the rear of the electric bicycle.

The electric bicycle locking system of the present invention is characterized in that the electric bicycle is provided with a light sensor that detects the brightness of the surroundings, a lighting device, and a control unit, and when the light sensor detects that the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, the control unit of the electric bicycle controls the lighting device to turn on when the power button is turned on after the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal has ended.

When the power button is turned on and the light sensor detects that the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, if the lighting device is turned on in parallel with the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal, the lighting device may become noise in the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal, which may result in failure to authenticate the unlocking signal and make it impossible to unlock. In contrast, as described above, when the power button is turned on and the light sensor detects that the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, the control unit controls to turn on the lighting device after the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal is completed, so that the noise caused by the lighting device being turned on is not received while the unlocking signal is being transmitted and received, and the unlocking control unit can reliably unlock the lock when it receives the unlocking signal from the unlocking device.
The present invention also provides an electric bicycle equipped with a locking system configured to unlock the locking device of the electric bicycle by sending an unlocking signal containing unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle from a portable unlocking device to the electric bicycle, and the system has a drive unit that generates driving force for driving, a battery that supplies power to the drive unit, a main body communication unit that communicates with the unlocking device, a power button that turns power supply from the battery on and off, and an unlocking control unit, and when the power button is turned on, power is supplied from the battery to the drive unit, the main body communication unit and the unlocking control unit , making it possible to add driving force for driving, and the unlocking control unit unlocks the locking device when it receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device.
The electric bicycle of the present invention is characterized in that it is unlocked by the unlocking method described above .

According to the above configuration, by turning on the power button to supply power from the battery to the main body communication unit, when the electric bicycle is not being used and the power button is turned off, power is not supplied from the battery to the main body communication unit, etc., so that it is possible to prevent the amount of stored power in the battery from decreasing when the electric bicycle is not being used, and to prevent a decrease in the distance that can be traveled by adding auxiliary driving force to the electric bicycle.

When the power button is turned on, power is supplied to the main communication unit, and a transmission instruction signal is sent from the main transmission unit to the unlocking device. When the unlocking device receives the transmission instruction signal from the main transmission unit, it transmits an unlocking signal, and when the unlocking signal is received by the main reception unit, the lock device is unlocked. This allows the main communication unit to transmit a transmission instruction signal from the main transmission unit to the unlocking device when the power button is turned on, and then receives the unlocking signal from the unlocking device, thereby reducing battery usage. Also, the unlocking device only needs to transmit an unlocking signal when it receives a transmission instruction signal from the main transmission unit, and does not need to constantly transmit an unlocking signal, so battery usage on the unlocking device side can also be reduced.

In addition, by providing the unlocking device with a prohibition selection unit that prohibits the transmission of an unlocking signal, even if, for example, an electric bicycle is placed outside a building but the unlocking device is placed inside a nearby building, the prohibition selection unit can prohibit the transmission of an unlocking signal to prevent the lock device from unlocking. Therefore, for example, even if an electric bicycle is placed outside a building but the unlocking device is placed inside a nearby building, the prohibition selection unit can prohibit the transmission of an unlocking signal to prevent the lock device from unlocking.

In addition, by providing a main power button attached to the front of the electric bicycle and an auxiliary power button attached to the rear of the electric bicycle as the power buttons, even in situations where it is difficult to reach the main power button attached to the front of the electric bicycle, it is easy and convenient to press the auxiliary power button attached to the rear of the electric bicycle to turn on the power and unlock the locking device.

In addition, an optical sensor that detects the surrounding brightness, a lighting device, and a control unit are provided on the electric bicycle, and when the power button is turned on, if the control unit of the electric bicycle detects via the optical sensor that the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, it controls the lighting device to turn on after the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal is completed. This means that when the power button is turned on and the unlocking signal is being transmitted and received, there is no noise caused by the lighting device being turned on. Therefore, when the unlocking control unit receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device, it can reliably unlock the locking device, improving the reliability of the electric bicycle.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a locking system for an electric bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention; A diagram showing the handle and hand-operated parts of the electric bicycle. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hand-operated part of the electric bicycle; FIG. 4 is a front view of the locking device of the electric bicycle (unlocked state). FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lock device (unlocked state); FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the locking device (locked state); A diagram showing the locking system (locking device, main body unlocking unit, and unlocking device) of the electric bicycle. A flowchart showing the control operation when riding the electric bicycle. A flowchart showing the control operation when dismounting the electric bicycle. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electric bicycle according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the lock device for the electric bicycle according to the embodiment; FIG. 13 is a time chart showing a modified example of the control operation of the electric bicycle according to the embodiment;

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is an overall side view of an electric bicycle locking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the electric bicycle locking system is made up of an electric bicycle 1, a locking device 30 attached to the electric bicycle 1, and a portable unlocking device (also called a portable device) 50 for unlocking the locking device 30 (i.e., provided separately from the electric bicycle 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric bicycle 1 includes a front wheel 2 and a rear wheel 3 (both of which are examples of wheels) each having spokes 4, a frame 5 connecting the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3, a drive unit 7 having a motor 6 that generates a driving force for traveling (in this embodiment, an auxiliary driving force), a battery 8 such as a secondary battery that supplies power to the drive unit 7, pedals 9 and cranks 11 to which a human-powered driving force consisting of a pedaling force is applied, and a headlight 16 as a lighting device. In addition, a pair of left and right seat stays (backhawks) 13 are arranged extending diagonally downward toward the rear from the upper part of a vertical pipe 12 that forms part of the frame 5, and a locking device 30 having an approximately C-shape (a so-called circle lock type) is attached via a mounting bracket 30a in a position straddling the left and right seat stays 13.

The electric bicycle 1 is also provided with a control unit and a speed reducing mechanism (not shown) inside the drive unit 7, and is also provided with sensors for detecting the speed, travel, and stopped state of the electric bicycle 1, and a sensor for detecting the rotation state of the crank 11. As shown in FIG. 2, a handheld operation unit 15 is attached to the handlebar 14, which is part of the frame 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the handheld operation unit 15 is provided with a power button (a so-called assist power button, a power switch) 15a for turning on/off the power supply from the battery 8 to the drive unit 7, etc. (switching the power source for adding/stopping the auxiliary driving force), a lighting button 15b for switching the power source for turning on/off the headlight 16 as a lighting device, mode switching buttons 15c and 15d for switching the mode of the strength of the auxiliary driving force, a display unit 15e for displaying various information using a liquid crystal display or the like, and a display switching button 15f for switching the display content to be displayed on the display unit 15e.

As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the locking device 30 has an arc-shaped bar 33 that can freely move in and out of a substantially C-shaped case 32 with an opening 32a in one part, and the bar 33 can move freely between a locked position (see Figure 7) where it passes through the opening 32a to prevent the rear wheel 3 from rotating, and an unlocked position (see Figures 4 to 6) where it is entirely housed in the case 32 to release the block on the rotation of the rear wheel 4. The locking device 30 is locked by passing the bar 33 through the opening 32a between the spokes 4 of the rear wheel 3 to prevent the rear wheel 3 from rotating, and is unlocked by moving the bar 33 out of the spokes 4. The locking device 30 may be configured to be attached to a location on the frame 5 other than the seat stay 13, or may be attached so as to be able to prevent the front wheel 3 from rotating.

As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, the locking device 30 is provided with a bar tension spring 34 arranged in the case 32 to pull (bias) the bar 33 toward the unlocked position, a locking knob 35 fixed integrally to the bar 33 and exposed to the outside through the long hole 32b of the case 32 to be used when locking the bar 33, and a locking body 36 that can be freely engaged and disengaged from a recess 33a formed in the bar 33 to hold the bar 33 in the locked position. The locking device 30 is also provided with a main body side unlocking section 40 (see FIG. 8) that has an unlocking motor 43 as an electric drive source and moves the locking body 36 to the unlocked position. In this embodiment, the locking device 30 is also provided with a locking mechanism 37 consisting of a cylinder lock into which the key 18 is inserted, and the locking mechanism 37 of the locking device 30 can be unlocked by manually inserting the key 18 into the locking mechanism 37 and rotating it.

Although not shown, the locking body 36 is movable between a locked position where it engages with the recess 33a of the bar 33 and an unlocked position where it disengages from the recess 33a of the bar 33, and is biased toward the locked position by a locking spring. When the bar 33 is moved to the locked position, the locking body 36 engages with the recess 33a of the bar 33 to hold the bar 33 in the locked position. On the other hand, the locking body 36 is movable to the unlocked position by the electric unlocking mechanism 40, and when the locking body 36 is moved to the unlocked position, it disengages from the recess 33a of the bar 33, and the bar 33 moves to the unlocked position by the biasing force of the bar tension spring 34. Although not shown, the locking device 30 is configured to be able to check whether the bar 33 is in the unlocked position or the locked position by an unlocked position sensor and a locked position sensor.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body side unlocking unit 40 is further provided with a main body communication unit 41 that communicates with the unlocking device 50, and an unlocking control unit 42. The main body communication unit 41 is provided with a main body transmission unit 41a and a main body reception unit 41b.

The unlocking device (portable device) 50 is configured to transmit an unlocking signal containing unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle 1 to the main body unlocking unit 40 to unlock the lock device 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the unlocking device 50 is provided with a battery (portable device battery) 51 consisting of a button cell or the like, a communication unit (portable device communication unit) 52, a control unit (portable device control unit) 53, a prohibition selection button 54 as a prohibition selection unit that prohibits the transmission of the unlocking signal, and a sound generating device (sound output unit) 55 that emits various warning sounds and unlock confirmation sounds. The communication unit 52 has a transmission function and a reception function, and the prohibition selection button 54 has a built-in prohibition state display unit that lights up when communication is prohibited. The unlocking device 50 is also formed with an attachment locking hole 56 to which the key 18 can be attached via an attachment ring (not shown) or the like.

When the power button 15a on the hand-operated control unit 15 of the electric bicycle 1 is pressed to turn it on, the main body communication unit 41 and unlocking control unit 42 on the main body side unlocking unit 40 are supplied with power from the battery 8 of the electric bicycle 1, and when the unlocking control unit 42 receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device 50, it unlocks the locking device 30.

Specifically, the unlocking control unit 42 provided in the main body side unlocking unit 40, the control unit (portable device side control unit) 53 provided in the unlocking device 50, and the control unit of the electric bicycle 1 perform the following control operations when starting to ride the electric bicycle 1 (see Figure 9) or when dismounting (see Figure 10) to use the electric bicycle 1.

When unlocking the electric bicycle 1 to begin riding, if the control unit of the electric bicycle 1 detects that the power button 15a of the handheld operation unit 15 has been pressed and changed from OFF to ON, power supply to the main body side unlocking unit 40 begins (step S2), and the process proceeds from step S2 to step S3, where the unlocking control unit 42 checks communication with the unlocking device (portable device) 50 and the identification information.

Here, the unlocking control unit 42 checks the communication state with the unlocking device (portable device) 50 and the identification information, specifically as follows. First, the unlocking control unit 42 sends a transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit 41a to the unlocking device 50. As a result, when the unlocking device 50 receives the transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit 41a, it sends an unlocking signal including unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle 1 to the main body side unlocking unit 40. When this unlocking signal is received, the unlocking control unit 42 determines that it is in communication with the unlocking device 50 and that the unlocking device 50 corresponds to the electric bicycle 1.

At this time, if it is detected that communication with the unlocking device 50 has not been established (communication is not possible) because the unlocking device 50 is not in possession of the unlocking device 50, the display unit 15e of the handheld operation unit 15 will flash to indicate that communication is not possible (step S4), thereby informing the passenger that communication is not possible. This prompts the passenger to manually unlock the vehicle using the key 15. Note that the handheld operation unit 15 may also be provided with a separate communication-notification display unit (such as a red LED) that informs the passenger that communication is not possible.

In step S3, if communication with the unlocking device (portable device) 50 is established and the unlocking device 50 is recognized, the unlocking control unit 42 unlocks the lock device 30 by driving the unlocking motor 43 when it receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device 50 (performing the unlocking operation: step S5).

Then, the position of the latch 33 of the lock device 30 is confirmed (step S6). That is, the unlocking control unit 42 confirms that the latch 33 has moved to the unlocked position within a predetermined time. If it is confirmed that the latch 33 has moved to the unlocked position, the process proceeds to step S7, where a signal is output to the unlocking device (portable device) 50 to inform the unlocking operation that the unlocking operation has been completed, and an unlocking sound is output from the sound generating device 55 of the unlocking device 50 (step S8). After this, the power supply of the main body side unlocking unit 40 is switched to the OFF state (step S9).

On the other hand, in step S6, if the position of the latch 33 of the locking device 30 remains in the locked position despite the passage of a predetermined time, or if it is neither in the locked nor unlocked position, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S10, where a signal is output to the unlocking device (portable device) 50 to inform it that the unlocking operation has not been completed and that it is in an unlocked state, and an unlocked warning sound (alarm sound) is output from the sound generating device 55 of the unlocking device (portable device) 50 (step S11). This informs the person carrying the unlocking device (portable device) 50 that it has not been unlocked and prompts them to check the locking device 30, after which the power supply to the main body side unlocking unit 40 is switched to the OFF state (step S9).

When the user dismounts from the electric bicycle 1, if the control unit of the electric bicycle 1 detects that the latch 33 is no longer in the unlocked position, for example because the latch 33 has been manually locked, the process proceeds from step S21 to step S22, where the power supply to the main body side unlocking unit 40 is switched to the ON state. Then, the process proceeds to step S23, where the unlocking control unit 42 checks the communication state with the unlocking device (portable device) 50 and the identification information.

In this case, when checking the communication state and identification information of the unlocking control unit 42 with the unlocking device (portable device) 50, the following control operation is performed in the same way as when unlocking. First, the unlocking control unit 42 sends a transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit 41a to the unlocking device 50. As a result, when the unlocking device 50 receives a transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit 41a, it sends an unlocking signal including unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle 1 to the main body side unlocking unit 40. When this unlocking signal is received, the unlocking control unit 42 determines that it is in communication with the unlocking device (portable device) 50 and that the unlocking device 50 corresponds to the electric bicycle 1.

If it is detected that communication with the unlocking device (portable device) 50 has not been established (communication is not possible) because the unlocking device 50 is not in possession of the vehicle, for example, the display unit 15e of the handheld operation unit 15 will flash to indicate that communication is not possible (step S24), thereby informing the passenger that communication is not possible.

In step S23, if communication with the unlocking device (portable device) 50 is established and the unlocking device 50 is recognized, the position of the latch 33 of the locking device 30 is confirmed (step S25). In other words, the unlocking control unit 42 confirms whether the locking device 30 has been manually locked and reliably switched from the unlocked position to the locked position.

If the unlocking control unit 42 confirms that the latch 33 has been moved to the unlocking position, the process proceeds to step S26, where a signal is output to the unlocking device 50 to inform the device that the unlocking operation has been completed, and an unlocking sound is output from the sound generating device 55 of the unlocking device 50 (step S27).

On the other hand, if the locking operation has been performed manually but has not been performed properly, and the position of the latch 33 of the locking device 30 is not in the locked position (for example, if the position of the latch 33 is halfway between the locked and unlocked positions or has returned to the unlocked position), the process proceeds from step S25 to step S28, and a signal is output to the unlocking device 50 to inform it that the locking operation has not been completed and that the door is in an unlocked state (step S28). The unlocking device (portable device) 50 then determines the distance between the unlocking device (portable device) 50 and the main body unlocking unit 40 of the electric bicycle 1 based on the strength of the radio waves, etc. (step S29), and if the distance is short (e.g., less than 2 m), an unlocking alarm sound is output to warn that the bicycle is unlocked (unlocked) (step S30), and if the distance is long (e.g., more than 2 m), an unlocking warning alarm sound (which may be louder than the unlocking alarm sound and may last longer) is output to strongly warn that the bicycle is unlocked (unlocked) (step S31). This prompts the user to check the locking operation and try it again.

After this, if the control unit of the electric bicycle 1 detects that the power button 15a of the hand-operated unit 15 has been pressed and changed from the ON state to the OFF state, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S33, and power supply to the main body side unlocking unit 40 is stopped (step S33).

In addition, if the power button 15a of the hand-operated operation unit 15 is not pressed and remains ON, the system confirms that the electric bicycle 1 is stopped and that the crank 11 has not been rotated for a predetermined period of time, then turns the power of the electric bicycle 1 OFF and stops supplying power to the main body side unlocking unit 40.

According to the locking system and unlocking method configured as above, when a person carrying the unlocking device (portable device) 50 approaches the electric bicycle 1 and the main body communication unit 41 receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device 50, the bicycle is unlocked without manual unlocking operation. In addition, when the power button 15a is turned ON, power is supplied from the battery 8 to the main body side unlocking unit 40 (main body communication unit 41 and unlocking control unit 42). Therefore, when the electric bicycle 1 is not being used and the power button 15a is OFF, power is not supplied from the battery 8 to the main body side unlocking unit 40. This makes it possible to prevent the amount of stored power in the battery 8 from decreasing when the electric bicycle 1 is not being used, and to prevent a decrease in the distance that the electric bicycle 1 can travel with the addition of auxiliary driving force.

In addition, according to the locking system and unlocking method configured as above, when the power button 15a is turned on, power is supplied to the main body communication unit 41, and a transmission instruction signal is transmitted from the main body transmission unit 41a of the main body communication unit 41 to the unlocking device 50. When the unlocking device 50 receives the transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit 41a, the unlocking signal is transmitted, and when the unlocking signal is received by the main body reception unit 41b, the locking device 30 is unlocked. That is, when the power button 15a is turned on, the main body communication unit 41 transmits a transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit 41 to the unlocking device 50, and then receives the unlocking signal from the unlocking device 50, so that the usage of the battery 8 at this time can be kept low. Also, when the unlocking device 50 receives the transmission instruction signal from the main body transmission unit 41, it is only necessary to transmit the unlocking signal, and it is not necessary to constantly transmit the unlocking signal, so that the usage of the battery 51 on the unlocking device 50 side can also be kept low.

In addition, according to the above configuration, the unlocking device 50 is provided with a prohibition selection button 54 as a prohibition selection section that prohibits the transmission of an unlocking signal. As a result, even if the electric bicycle 1 is placed outside a building, but the unlocking device 50 is placed inside a nearby building, the prohibition selection button 54 can be pressed to prohibit the transmission of an unlocking signal, thereby preventing the lock device 30 from unlocking, thereby improving crime prevention.

In addition, with the above configuration, when the unlocking operation is performed by the main body side unlocking unit 40, once it is confirmed that the latch 33 has been moved to the unlocked position, an unlocking sound is output from the unlocking device (portable device) 50, allowing the passenger to confirm that the unlocking operation has been performed reliably, improving reliability.

On the other hand, if the latch 33 has not been moved to the unlocked position despite the unlocking operation being performed by the main body unlocking section 40, an unlocking warning sound (alarm sound) is output to inform the person carrying the unlocking device (portable device) 50 that the lock has not been unlocked. This prompts the person to check the locking device 30, which also improves the reliability of the electric bicycle 1 (the locking system of the electric bicycle 1).

In addition, when the locking operation is performed manually, once it is confirmed that the latch 33 has been moved to the locked position, a locking sound is output from the unlocking device (portable device) 50, allowing the passenger to confirm that the locking operation has been performed reliably, improving reliability.

On the other hand, if the latch 33 has not been moved to the locked position despite the manual locking operation being performed, an unlocking alarm sound or unlocking warning alarm sound is output to inform the person carrying the unlocking device (portable device) 50 that the locking operation was not performed properly. This prompts the person to check the locking device 30, which also improves the reliability of the electric bicycle 1 (the locking system of the electric bicycle 1).

In the above embodiment, the unlock control unit 42 is provided in the main body unlocking unit 40 separately from the control unit that controls the entire electric bicycle 1, but this is not limited to the above, and the control unit that controls the entire electric bicycle 1 may itself be provided with a function equivalent to the unlock control unit 42.

In the above embodiment, the case where only one power button 15a is provided has been described, but this is not limited thereto, and multiple power buttons 15a (two or more) may be provided. In this case, as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 3, it is preferable to attach a main power button 15a1 (main power switch: see Fig. 3: the same as the power button 15a in the above embodiment) to the front of the electric bicycle 1 as the power button 15a, and an auxiliary power button (auxiliary power switch) 15a2 to the rear of the electric bicycle 1. In other words, in the above embodiment and this embodiment, the drive unit 7 is assembled near the hanger pipe (also called the bottom bracket) into which a bearing that rotatably supports the crankshaft 11a is fitted, and this drive unit 7 is located in the center position in the front-rear direction of the electric bicycle 1. In this embodiment, a main power button 15a1 is provided at the front of the electric bicycle 1, which is in front of the drive unit 7 of the electric bicycle 1, and an auxiliary power button 15a2 is provided at the rear of the electric bicycle 1, which is behind the drive unit 7 of the electric bicycle 1. As in the above embodiment, the main power button 15a1 is preferably provided on the hand operation unit 15 attached to the handle 14, but this is not limited to this and it may be attached anywhere in the front area of the electric bicycle 1 as long as it can be fixed.

The auxiliary power button 15a2 is provided, for example, on the locking device 30 attached to the rear of the electric bicycle 1 (the seat stay 13 in this embodiment). The power supply from the battery 8 can be turned ON/OFF by pressing either power button 15a (either the main power button 15a1 or the auxiliary power button 15a2). Therefore, when the main power button 15a1 or the auxiliary power button 15a2 is turned ON, power is supplied from the battery 8 to the main communication unit 41 and the unlocking control unit 42, and when the unlocking control unit 42 receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device 50, it unlocks the locking device 30.

In this embodiment, a carrier 60 is provided at the rear of the electric bicycle 1, and a child seat 61 on which a child can rest is attached to the carrier 60. Foot rests 62 on which a child can rest his or her feet are attached to the child seat 61 and protrude from the left and right sides of the electric bicycle 1.

In this configuration, in cases where other bicycles are parked close to the left and right of the electric bicycle 1 in a bicycle parking lot or the like and there is almost no space for a person to fit between the other bicycles and the electric bicycle 1, it becomes difficult to reach the main power button 15a1 attached to the front of the electric bicycle 1. In such cases, if only the main power button 15a1 is provided, it becomes difficult to press the main power button 15a1 to unlock the bicycle.

However, according to this embodiment, the auxiliary power button 15a2 is attached to the rear of the electric bicycle 1. Therefore, even if, as described above, other bicycles are parked close to the left and right of the electric bicycle 1 in a bicycle parking lot or the like, making it difficult to reach the main power button 15a1 attached to the front of the electric bicycle 1, it is easy and convenient to press the auxiliary power button 15a2 attached to the rear of the electric bicycle 1 to turn the power on and unlock the lock device 30.

In addition, when the child seat 61 is attached to the rear of the electric bicycle 1 as described above, if other bicycles are parked close to the left and right of the electric bicycle 1 in a bicycle parking lot or the like, the foot rest 62 often makes it difficult for people to get between the other bicycles and the electric bicycle 1. However, even in such cases, it is convenient to press the auxiliary power button 15a2 attached to the rear of the electric bicycle 1 to turn the power on and unlock the lock device 30.

It goes without saying that the auxiliary power button 15a2 can be attached to the rear of the electric bicycle 1, such as the locking device 30, even in a typical electric bicycle 1 that does not have a child seat 61 attached to the rear of the electric bicycle 1. Also, in the above case, the auxiliary power button 15a2 is described as being provided on the locking device 30, but this is not limited to this, and the auxiliary power button 15a2 may be configured to be separately assembled anywhere on the rear of the electric bicycle 1. Furthermore, the auxiliary power button 15a2 may be configured to be detachable so that the user or owner of the electric bicycle 1 can attach it to the electric bicycle 1 at any desired location.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the locking device 30 is described as having a structure also called a circle lock (sometimes called a ring lock or a horseshoe lock), but this is not limited to this and the locking device can also be applied to a box-shaped locking device (sometimes called a box lock) that is attached to the front fork, etc.

The electric bicycle 1 may also be configured to be provided with an optical sensor (not shown) that detects the brightness of the surroundings, so that when the power button 15a (15a1, 15a2) is pressed and the surroundings are dark (a predetermined brightness is not reached), the optical sensor detects this situation and the control unit automatically turns on a lighting device such as the headlight 16. However, if only this configuration is adopted, when the power button is turned on and the optical sensor detects that the surroundings are dark, turning on a lighting device such as the headlight 16 in parallel with the operation of transmitting and receiving the unlocking signal may cause noise in the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal, which may prevent the authentication of the unlocking signal and make it impossible to unlock the bicycle.

To prevent such problems from occurring, in the locking system of this electric bicycle 1, as shown in FIG. 13, when the power button 15a (15a1, 15a2) is turned on and the light sensor detects that the surroundings are dark, the control unit controls the headlight 16, which is an illumination device, to turn on after the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal (specifically, the power supply operation to the main body communication unit 41 and the unlocking control unit 42) has ended.

With this configuration, even if the light sensor detects that the surroundings are dark when the power button 15a (15a1, 15a2) is turned on, there is no noise caused by the illumination of the headlight 16 while transmitting and receiving the unlocking signal. As a result, when the unlocking control unit 42 receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device 50, it can reliably unlock the locking device 30, thereby improving the reliability of the electric bicycle 1.

In the above embodiment, the electric bicycle 1 is an electric bicycle also called an electrically assisted bicycle, which can be easily ridden even uphill by adding the auxiliary driving force (assist force) of the drive unit 7 to the human driving force (the force applied to the pedals 9). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to an electric bicycle that is self-propelled.

The present invention can be applied as a locking system and unlocking method that can be attached to various electric bicycles.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electric bicycle 2 Front wheel 3 Rear wheel 4 Spokes 5 Frame 6 Motor 7 Drive unit 8 Battery 9 Pedal 11 Crank 14 Handle 15 Handheld operation unit 15a Power button (power switch, assist power button)
15a1 Main power button (main power switch)
15a2 Auxiliary power button (auxiliary power switch)
18 Key 30 Locking device 33 Latch 37 Locking mechanism 40 Main body unlocking section 41 Main body communication section 41a Main body transmitting section 41b Main body receiving section 42 Unlocking control section 43 Unlocking motor 50 Unlocking device (portable device)
51 Battery (portable device battery)
52 Communication unit (portable device side communication unit)
53 Control unit (portable device side control unit)
54 Prohibition selection button (prohibition selection section)
55 Sound generating device (sound output unit)
56 Mounting hole 61 Child rest 62 Foot rest

Claims (9)

An electric bicycle is equipped with a drive unit having a motor to generate a driving force for traveling and a battery to supply power to the drive unit, and a locking device that can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state is attached to the electric bicycle,
A portable unlocking device is provided that transmits an unlocking signal including unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle to unlock the locking device,
An electric bicycle locking system configured to send an unlocking signal from an unlocking device to an electric bicycle locked by a locking device to unlock the bicycle,
The electric bicycle is provided with a main body communication unit that communicates with the unlocking device, a power button that turns on/off the power supply from the battery, and an unlocking control unit,
When the power button is turned on, power is supplied from the battery to the drive unit, main body communication unit, and unlock control unit , enabling the addition of driving force for traveling.
The locking system for an electric bicycle is characterized in that the unlocking control unit unlocks the locking device when it receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking device. the main body communication unit has a main body transmission unit and a main body reception unit;
When the power button is turned on to supply power to the main body communication unit and the unlocking control unit, the unlocking control unit causes the main body transmission unit to transmit a transmission instruction signal to the unlocking device,
The electric bicycle locking system of claim 1, characterized in that the unlocking device transmits an unlocking signal when it receives a transmission instruction signal from the main body transmitting unit, and the unlocking control unit unlocks the locking device when it receives the unlocking signal by the main body receiving unit. The electric bicycle locking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the unlocking device is provided with a prohibition selection section that prohibits the transmission of an unlocking signal. The electric bicycle locking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the power buttons are a main power button attached to the front of the electric bicycle and an auxiliary power button attached to the rear of the electric bicycle, and the power supply from the battery can be turned on and off by either power button. The electric bicycle is provided with a light sensor that detects the brightness of the surroundings, a lighting device, and a control unit,
The electric bicycle locking system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the power button is turned on and an optical sensor detects that the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, the control unit of the electric bicycle controls the lighting device to turn on after the transmission and reception of the unlocking signal has been completed. An unlocking method for an electric bicycle, which is equipped with a drive unit having a motor to generate driving force for traveling and a battery for supplying power to the drive unit, and is fitted with a locking device that can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state, by transmitting an unlocking signal including unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle from a portable unlocking device,
The electric bicycle is provided with a main body communication unit that communicates with the unlocking device and a power button that turns on/off the power supply from the battery,
This method of unlocking an electric bicycle is characterized in that when the power button is turned on, the drive unit and main body communication section are powered from the battery, allowing the driving force for traveling to be added, and when an unlocking signal is received from the unlocking device, the locking device is unlocked. The main body communication unit has a transmission function and a reception function,
When the power button is turned on, power is supplied to the main communication unit, and a transmission instruction signal is sent from the main transmission unit to the unlocking device.
The method for unlocking an electric bicycle as described in claim 6, characterized in that the unlocking device transmits an unlocking signal when it receives a transmission instruction signal from the main body transmitting unit, and unlocks the lock device when the unlocking signal is received by the main body receiving unit. An electric bicycle equipped with a locking system configured to be able to unlock a lock device of the electric bicycle by transmitting an unlocking signal including unique identification information corresponding to the electric bicycle from a portable unlocking device to the electric bicycle,
The vehicle has a drive unit that generates a drive force for traveling, a battery that supplies power to the drive unit, a main body communication unit that communicates with an unlocking device, a power button that turns on/off the power supply from the battery, and an unlocking control unit,
When the power button is turned on, power is supplied from the battery to the drive unit, main body communication unit, and unlock control unit , enabling the addition of driving force for traveling.
The electric bicycle is characterized in that the unlocking control unit unlocks the locking device when an unlocking signal is received from the unlocking device. An electric bicycle that is unlocked by the unlocking method described in claim 6 or claim 7.

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