JPH1149079A - Bicycle with auxiliary driving motor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the disturbance of the operation of a bicycle due to battery charging and to always comprehend the residue of a battery by having the computing means of a discharge quantity and a means for transmitting a computation value signal to a battery charge hysteresis memory. SOLUTION: At the time of the charging of a battery 2, a microcomputor 7 computes so as to renew the presumed condensed quantity of the battery 2 according to a charge quantity. Namely, the microcomputor 7 carrys out computation as a current controlled by a current control circuit 9 after the beginning of charging and a voltage detected by a voltage detector are taken in, and its value is sent to a charging hysteresis memory 3 and written in as a presumed charging quantity. The number of times of charging is also stored in the charging hysteresis 3 of a battery unit 1, and the number of times of charging is displayed in a display device 1. This display can be used as a guideline for judging the life of the battery 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor provided with an electric motor as an auxiliary drive device for a bicycle, and more particularly, to a charge history memory for storing a charge and discharge state of a battery serving as a power source of the electric motor. With
The present invention relates to a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a battery used in a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor, a charge state monitor for monitoring a charge state of a battery in order to minimize a variation in a final voltage of each battery and prevent damage to the battery. Means are being developed. The installation example is disclosed in
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing such a conventional battery charge state monitoring means.

As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 05 is provided with a battery monitoring means 06 for monitoring the individual voltages of the batteries V1 and V2.
Is configured to stop discharging the batteries V1 and V2 when the potential difference Vg between the batteries V1 and V2 becomes larger than the inter-battery potential difference control stop voltage Vh.
After discharging the power stored in the batteries V1 and V2,
The controller 05 is connected to a charger 08 installed separately from the bicycle to charge the battery. The charger 08 is configured to be able to individually charge the batteries V1 and V2. Further, the controller 05 is provided with battery information transmitting means 010 for reading information on the voltage state of each of the batteries V1 and V2 at the time of stopping the discharge and transferring this information to the charger 05.

[0004]

By the way, the battery charge state monitoring means in the conventional bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor as described above includes monitoring means for each battery (each battery cell) and a charger for each battery. Is required, and the configuration is complicated. Further, the information on the voltage state of the battery is held by the controller, and the configuration of the battery + controller + charger is required at the time of charging, and the configuration is complicated.

When the battery is to be charged while the battery is mounted on the bicycle, the bicycle cannot of course be driven. Therefore, by replacing the discharged battery mounted on the bicycle with a replacement battery that has been charged in advance, it is conceivable to avoid a problem that the bicycle cannot be driven during charging, but in this case, the remaining amount of the replaced battery is reduced. Because it is unknown, there is a concern that battery management may be concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. In monitoring the state of charge of a battery, the operation of a bicycle is not hindered by the battery charge, and the remaining amount of the battery can always be grasped. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor according to the present invention uses a replaceable battery as a power source, and has a charge history memory attached to the battery and storing charge information. A charger that is separate from the bicycle and is coupled to the battery during charging, and includes control means for controlling charging current or charging voltage, and means for transmitting a charge amount signal of the control means to the charging history memory; A built-in inverter that converts the current supplied from the battery into an output adapted to the speed and treading torque signals of the bicycle and drives and controls the motor, and detects the output current and voltage to the inverter to calculate the amount of discharge And a controller installed on a bicycle having means for transmitting an operation value signal from the operation means to the charge history memory of the battery. It is characterized in.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a display device provided on the battery side, wherein the display device is stored in the charge history memory. It is characterized in that the estimated charged amount of the battery is displayed.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor as one embodiment of the present invention. Among them, FIGS. 1 and 2 are circuit block diagrams of the charging device, and FIG. FIG. 2 shows a circuit block diagram at the time of discharging.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a battery unit. The battery unit 1 includes a battery (storage battery) 2, a charge history memory 3, and a temperature sensor 4 for detecting the temperature of the battery 2. ing. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5 denotes a charger. The charger 5 is provided separately from the bicycle, and is connected to the battery unit 1 by a plug, a socket, and the like (not shown) at the time of charging. The charger 5 is connected to an external general AC power supply and converts the AC power supply into a charging DC power supply.
A charging power supply device 6 for converting to a power supply, a voltage detector 8 for detecting the voltage of the charging DC power supply, and a microcomputer (arithmetic means) 7 for controlling a charging current according to a charging program adapted to the charging characteristics of the battery 2. And a current control circuit 9 for controlling the charging current in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 7, and a coupling means (not shown) such as a plug and a socket for wiring and coupling to the charging history memory 3 of the battery 2.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 denotes a controller mounted on a bicycle (not shown). When the auxiliary motor 18 is driven, the controller 15 is attached to the bicycle by a coupling means (not shown) such as a plug or a socket. It is connected to the battery unit 1 by wiring. The controller 15 includes a microcomputer (calculation means) 16 and an inverter 17. The microcomputer 16 fetches signals from a speed sensor 23 and a stepping torque sensor 22 provided in a drive unit (not shown) of the bicycle, and instructs the inverter 17 in accordance with these signals. The inverter 17 converts the DC current supplied from the battery 2 into a current according to an instruction from the microcomputer 16 and outputs the converted current to the auxiliary motor 18. The controller 15 further detects a current sent from the battery 2 to the inverter 17 and sends a signal to the microcomputer 16, and a voltage detector 19 that detects the same output voltage from the inverter 17 and sends a signal to the microcomputer 16. And a connection means (not shown) such as a plug and a socket for wiring connection to the charge history memory 3 of the battery 2.

Reference numeral 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 denotes a display device for displaying the contents stored in the charging history memory 3. This display device 11 is attached to the battery unit 1, and the battery unit 1 is connected to the charger 5 or The display is made only when connected to the controller 15. At the time of charging, as shown in FIG. 1, the battery unit 1 is wired and connected to the charger 5 to perform charging. In this case, first, the initial storage amount of the battery 2 before charging stored in the charging history memory 3. Q1i is read out to the microcomputer 7 and is used as a base for calculating the estimated power storage amount thereafter. When charging the battery 2, the microcomputer 7 performs a calculation so as to update the estimated charged amount of the battery 2 according to the charged amount. That is, in the microcomputer 7, the current control circuit 9
And the voltage detected by the voltage detector 8 while taking in the current amount controlled by the charge amount Δq1 per unit time Δt.
(The product of the current controlled by the current control circuit 9 and the voltage detected by the voltage detector 8) and the product of the unit time Δt (the charge amount per unit time) are calculated, and the initial charge amount before charging Q is further calculated.
The sum of 1i and the charge amount Q1 (= Σ (Δq1 × Δt)) is calculated, and this value (Q1i + Q1) is sent to the charge history memory 3, where it is updated and written as the estimated charge amount. .

Since the temperature of the battery 2 greatly affects the magnitude of the charging current, the microcomputer 7
From the temperature signal of the battery 2 detected by the microcomputer and transmitted to the microcomputer 7, an appropriate charging current value is determined by using a program according to the charging characteristics as shown in FIG. 4 and instructed to the current control circuit. ing. Further, the microcomputer 7 compares the total of the initial charged amount Q1i before charging and the charged amount Q1 [that is, the estimated charged amount ((Q1i + Q1)]] with the maximum charged amount Qmax of the battery 2, and calculates the initial charged amount Q1i before charging. The charging process is continued until the total of the charge amount Q1 and the charge amount Q1 reaches the maximum charge amount Qmax of the battery 2, and the sum of the initial charge amount Q1i before charge and the charge amount Q1 [estimated charge amount ((Q1i + Q1)]) is equal to the maximum charge amount Qmax. Is reached, the charging is stopped through the microcomputer 7.

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG.
Is a current (voltage) / time characteristic diagram when the battery 2 is charged, and charging is controlled by a current value Ich. In the initial stage when the temperature of the battery 2 is low, the current value Ich is set to a low value (for example, about 0.10 mA) so as to be given the current value Ich. At the stage when the temperature rises above a certain temperature, a high value (for example, 0.50 mA or more (the maximum charging current is defined by each battery)) is set so as to add the current value Ich, and rapid charging is performed so as to add The transition (for example, a voltage of 0.8 to 1.0 V / cell) is performed. Then, in the V _B falls points fast charge passed as shown in (a point where the internal resistance of the battery 2 is increased), upon detection of a predetermined voltage drop (e.g., voltage drop 15~20mV per cell) (where (The voltage drop during the first 5 minutes of charging shown in (1) and (2) is not detected.) Switch to trickle charging. Even before this (before a predetermined voltage drop), if a predetermined voltage value (for example, a voltage of 1.9 ± 0.025 V per cell) is detected as shown in FIG. At the time of trickle charging, the charging current value Ich is set to a low value to which a value is attached, and is maintained for a certain period of time (for example, 0.050 mA for 15 hours).

The range shown in the following is the total timer of the quick charge. At the time of timer count-up, the time corresponds to 150% of the nominal capacity.
The quick charging temperature range is 10 to 40 ° C. When the total (estimated charged amount) of the initial charged amount Q1i before charging and the charged amount Q1 reaches the maximum charged amount Qmax, the entire charging is terminated.

On the other hand, when the battery is discharged, that is, when the battery is used, the battery unit 1 is mounted on the bicycle and the auxiliary drive motor 18 is rotated.
Is connected to the controller 15 to start discharging, first, the microcomputer 16 reads out the pre-discharge initial charge amount Q2i of the battery 2 stored in the charging history memory 3. When the discharging process to the battery 2 is performed, the microcomputer 16 performs an operation to update the charged amount of the battery according to the discharged amount. That is, the microcomputer 16 calculates the discharge amount Δq2 (the product of the current detected by the current detector 21 and the voltage detected by the voltage detector 19) and the unit time Δt at every unit time Δt from the start of the discharge. The product (discharge amount per unit time) is calculated, and the initial charge amount before discharge Q2i and the discharge amount Q2 (= Σ (Δq2 × Δ
t)), and this value is sent to the charging history memory 3 to be updated and written.

Further, the microcomputer 16 controls the discharge in accordance with the operation of the motor 18 such as temporarily stopping the discharge when the motor 18 stops, and the like.
If the difference between the discharge amount and the discharge amount Q2 (that is, the estimated charge amount) remains, the return discharge process is continued, but the estimated charge amount (Q2i-Q2
) Is reduced to zero, the discharge is stopped, and the remaining amount (power storage amount) is updated and written to the charge history memory 3 as zero.

Further, the number of times of charging is also stored in the charging history memory 3 of the battery unit 1, and the number of times of charging can be displayed on the display device 11. This display is used as a guideline for determining the life of the battery 2. can do. Further, the microcomputer 7 of the charger 5 can calculate the internal resistance value of the battery 2 from the voltage with respect to the current at the time of charging, and determine the life of the battery 2 from this.

Since the bicycle with the auxiliary drive motor according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, for example, a process as shown in FIG. 3 is performed when charging and discharging the battery. That is, at the time of charging, the battery unit 1 is wire-coupled to the charger 5 to start charging, as shown by "Charging" on the left side of FIG. 3, and at step c1, the battery stored in the charging history memory 3 is started. The initial charge amount Q1i before charging of No. 2 is read by the microcomputer 7. Next, at step c2, the battery is charged, and at the same time, the charge amount Δq1 per unit time Δt from the start of charging (the current controlled by the current control circuit 9 and detected by the voltage detector 8). The product of the voltage and the unit time Δt (the charge amount per unit time) is calculated by the microcomputer 7 for each time Δt, and the initial charge amount before charge Q1i and the charge amount Q1 (= Σ
(Δq1 × Δt)) [Estimated storage amount (Q1i + Q1)
)] Is sent to the charging history memory 3, where it is updated and written. During this charging, the temperature of the battery 2 greatly affects the magnitude of the charging current.
Based on the temperature signal, an appropriate charging current value is determined using a program in accordance with the charging characteristics shown in FIG. 4 and instructed to the current control circuit.

In the following step c3, the microcomputer 7 compares the total (estimated charged amount) of the initial charged amount Q1i before charging and the charged amount Q1 with the maximum charged amount Qmax of the battery 2, and determines the initial charged amount Q1i before charging. If the sum of the charged amount Q1 (estimated charged amount) does not reach the maximum charged amount Qmax of the battery 2, the process returns to step c2 and the charging process is continued, but the sum of the initial charged amount before charging Q1i and the charged amount Q1 ( When the estimated power storage amount reaches the maximum power storage amount Qmax, the microcomputer 7
In step c4, the charging is stopped.

On the other hand, at the time of discharging, that is, the battery unit 1
When the battery is mounted on the bicycle and the auxiliary drive motor 18 is operated, the battery unit 1 is wired to the controller 15 to start discharging as shown by "discharge" on the right side of FIG. The pre-discharge initial charge amount Q2i of the battery 2 stored in the charge history memory 3 is determined by the microcomputer 16
Is read out. Next, in step r2, a discharging process to the battery is performed, and at the same time, a discharging amount Δq2 per unit time Δt from the start of discharging (current detector 21).
(Product of the current detected in step (1) and the voltage detected by voltage detector 19) and unit time Δt (discharge amount per unit time)
Is calculated by the microcomputer 16 every time Δt, and the initial charge amount before discharge Q2i and the discharge amount Q2 (= Σ (Δq2 × Δt))
The difference [estimated discharge amount (Q2i-Q2)] is stored in the charge history memory 3.
To be updated and written.

At step r3, it is determined whether or not to continue the discharge of the motor 18 (ie, whether or not to temporarily stop the motor 18). If the motor 18 is to be stopped, the discharge is temporarily stopped at step r4. Wait for the next discharge (step r5). On the other hand, if it is determined in step r3 that the discharge is to be continued, the process proceeds to step r6. At step r6, the microcomputer 16 calculates the difference between the initial charge amount before discharge Q2i and the discharge amount Q2 [estimated discharge amount (Q2i−
Q2)] is reduced to zero. If the estimated discharge amount (Q2i-Q2) is not reduced to zero, the process returns to step r2 to continue the discharge process, but the estimated discharge amount (Q2i-Q2). ) Decreases to zero, the microcomputer 1
According to the instruction of 6, the discharge is stopped in step r7 and the remaining amount is updated and written to the charge history memory 3 as zero.

As described above, according to the bicycle with the auxiliary drive motor, the information on the use state of the battery 2 can be stored and stored in the charge history memory 3 integrated with the battery 2, so that the battery charger 5 and the controller It is possible to monitor the charge state and the discharge state (power storage state) of the battery 2 without the need for a constant combination with the battery 15. Therefore, the charger 5 is connected to the battery unit 1 by wiring,
The discharging state (power storage state) is grasped from the charging history memory 3,
You can choose a fast and safe charging method. Also,
The controller 15 is connected to the battery unit 1 by wiring, so that the charge state (charged state) can be grasped from the charge history memory 3 and the battery 2 can be prevented from being damaged due to overdischarge.

The amount of charge and discharge of the battery 2 (the amount of charge)
Is stored in the memory 3 so that the state of the battery 2 can be always grasped. Therefore, if the replacement battery unit 1 is always in a charged state, the auxiliary motor 18 can be used immediately by replacing the battery unit 1 and the bicycle can be charged by charging.
It is possible to drive a bicycle without being restricted by a bicycle.

Further, the display device 1 displays the estimated remaining amount of the stored power of the battery 2 stored in the charging history memory 3 in real time.
By displaying the information at 1, the driver can easily grasp the charging time of the battery 2 and can prevent damage to the battery 2 due to overdischarge. Further, the number of times of charging stored in the charging history memory 3 of the battery unit 1 is also displayed on the display device 11, so that it can be used as a guideline for determining the life of the battery 2, and in the microcomputer 7 of the charger 5, The internal resistance value of the battery 2 is calculated from the voltage with respect to the current at the time of charging, and the life of the battery 2 can be determined from this.

[0026]

As described above in detail, according to the bicycle with the auxiliary drive motor according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information on the use state of the battery can be stored and stored in the charge history memory integrated with the battery. It is possible to monitor the state of charge of the battery without the need to constantly combine the controller and the controller, and to select a high-speed and safe charging method.

Further, since the charging history such as the charge / discharge amount (charged amount) of the battery is stored in the memory on the battery side, the state of the battery can be always grasped. As a result, the auxiliary motor can be operated immediately after the replacement, so that the bicycle is not restricted by the charger and the operation of the bicycle is not hindered. Further, there is an advantage that the device configuration at the time of charging is simple and can be configured at low cost.

According to the bicycle with the auxiliary drive motor according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the battery information stored in the charging history memory is displayed, the battery information can be grasped and the bicycle can be safely driven. Since the charging time can be easily grasped by the driver, there is an advantage that overdischarge can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram during charging showing a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram at the time of discharging showing the bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation at the time of charging and discharging in a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a battery charging current (voltage) showing charging characteristics of a bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a state-of-charge monitoring device for a battery in a conventional bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery unit 2 Battery 3 Charging history memory 4 Temperature sensor 5 Charger 6 Charging power supply 7 Microcomputer 8 Voltage detector 9 Current control circuit 11 Display device 15 Controller 16 Microcomputer 17 Inverter 18 Auxiliary drive motor 19 Voltage detector 21 Current detector 22 Foot torque sensor 23 Speed sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bicycle with an auxiliary drive motor using a replaceable battery as a power source, a charging history memory provided on the battery side for storing charging information, and being separately provided from the bicycle and coupled to the battery during charging. A charger for controlling a charging current or a charging voltage, and a means for transmitting a charge amount signal of the control means to the charging history memory; and supplying a current supplied from the battery to a bicycle speed and a pedaling torque. A calculating means for converting the output into an output adapted to the signal and controlling the driving of the motor; detecting output current and voltage to the inverter to calculate a discharge amount; and calculating a calculated value signal from the calculating means to the battery. And a controller provided on the bicycle having means for transmitting the charge history memory to the bicycle. . 2. The auxiliary drive according to claim 1, further comprising a display device provided on the battery side, wherein the display device displays the estimated amount of stored power of the battery stored in the charge history memory. Bicycle with motor.