TW202440406A - Drive unit for human-powered vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle that can appropriately change the rotation speed of the wheel. The drive unit of the present invention is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, and is provided with: a transmission, which is arranged in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force; and the above-mentioned transmission has at least 4 speed levels; the above-mentioned transmission has: a speed change rotation center axis; a speed change input rotating part, which can rotate around the above-mentioned speed change rotation center axis; and a speed change output rotating part, which can rotate around the above-mentioned speed change rotation center axis; the maximum size of the above-mentioned transmission in the direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned speed change rotation center axis is less than 80 mm, and the maximum size of the above-mentioned transmission in the direction parallel to the above-mentioned speed change rotation center axis is less than 30 mm.

Description

Drive unit for human-powered vehicle

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

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a drive unit equipped with a transmission. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-016479

[The problem the invention is trying to solve]

One of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle that can appropriately change the rotation speed of the wheel. [Technical means for solving the problem]

The drive unit according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-driven vehicle, and is provided with: a transmission, which is arranged in the transmission path of the human-driven driving force; and the transmission has at least 4 speed levels; the transmission has: a speed change rotation center axis; a speed change input rotating part, which can rotate around the speed change rotation center axis; and a speed change output rotating part, which can rotate around the speed change rotation center axis; and the maximum size of the transmission in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 80 mm, and the maximum size of the transmission in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 30 mm. According to the first aspect of the drive unit, the maximum size of the transmission in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis can be made less than 80 mm, and the maximum size of the transmission in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis can be made less than 30 mm. Therefore, the size of the transmission with at least 4 speed change levels is suppressed from being enlarged, thereby suppressing the size of the drive unit. According to the first aspect of the drive unit, the rotation speed of the wheel can be appropriately changed in at least 4 speed change levels by using a transmission with a maximum size perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis of less than 80 mm and a maximum size parallel to the speed change rotation center axis of less than 30 mm.

The drive unit according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, and comprises: a housing configured to support an input rotary shaft to which human-powered driving force is input; and a transmission configured to be arranged on the housing and to receive the human-powered driving force via the input rotary shaft; and the transmission has: a speed change rotation center axis; a speed change input rotary portion rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis; and a speed change output rotary portion rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis; and the maximum dimension of the speed change in a direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension of the speed change in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 30 mm. According to the second aspect of the drive unit, the maximum size of the transmission in the direction perpendicular to the transmission rotation center axis can be made less than 80 mm, and the maximum size of the transmission in the direction parallel to the transmission rotation center axis can be made less than 30 mm. Therefore, the size of the transmission provided in the housing that supports the input rotation axis is suppressed from increasing, thereby suppressing the size of the drive unit from increasing.

In the drive unit of the third aspect according to the first or second aspect of the present disclosure, the speed changer includes a planetary gear mechanism. According to the drive unit of the third aspect, the speed change can be performed by the planetary gear mechanism.

In the drive unit of the fourth aspect according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the planetary gear mechanism includes a first planetary assembly and a second planetary assembly connected to the first planetary assembly, and the second planetary assembly is arranged at a position different from the first planetary assembly in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis. According to the drive unit of the fourth aspect, the second planetary assembly can be arranged at a position different from the first planetary assembly in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis.

The drive unit of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-driven vehicle, and is provided with: a transmission, which is arranged in the transmission path of the human-driven driving force; and the transmission includes a first planetary assembly and a second planetary assembly connected to the first planetary assembly, the first planetary assembly and the second planetary assembly have a common speed change rotation center axis, and the maximum size of the transmission in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 80 mm, and the maximum size of the transmission in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 30 mm. According to the drive unit of the fifth aspect, the maximum size of the transmission in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis can be made less than 80 mm, and the maximum size of the transmission in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis can be made less than 30 mm. Therefore, the size of the transmission including the two planetary assemblies is suppressed from increasing, thereby suppressing the size of the drive unit from increasing.

In the drive unit of the sixth aspect according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present disclosure, the maximum dimension of the transmission in the direction perpendicular to the transmission rotation center axis is 70 mm or less. According to the drive unit of the sixth aspect, the enlargement of the size of the drive unit is further suppressed.

In the drive unit of the 7th aspect of the 6th aspect of the present disclosure, the maximum dimension of the transmission in the direction perpendicular to the transmission rotation center axis is 60 mm or less. According to the drive unit of the 7th aspect, the enlargement of the size of the drive unit is further suppressed.

In the drive unit of the eighth aspect according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present disclosure, the maximum dimension of the transmission in the direction parallel to the transmission rotation center axis is 20 mm or less. According to the drive unit of the eighth aspect, the enlargement of the size of the drive unit is further suppressed.

In the drive unit of the 8th and 9th aspects of the present disclosure, the maximum dimension of the transmission in the direction parallel to the transmission rotation center axis is 10 mm or less. According to the drive unit of the 9th aspect, the enlargement of the size of the drive unit is further suppressed.

In the drive unit of the 9th and 10th aspects of the present disclosure, the maximum dimension of the transmission in the direction parallel to the transmission rotation center axis is 6 mm or less. According to the drive unit of the 10th aspect, the enlargement of the size of the drive unit is further suppressed.

In the drive unit of the 11th aspect according to any one of the 1st to 10th aspects of the present disclosure, the transmission has a plurality of gears, and at least a portion of the plurality of gears includes a resin member. According to the drive unit of the 11th aspect, since at least a portion of the plurality of gears includes a resin member, contact between metal members can be reduced. Therefore, the drive unit can suppress the generation of noise caused by the rotation of the plurality of gears.

The drive unit according to the 12th aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-driven vehicle, and is provided with: a transmission having a plurality of speed change levels, which is arranged in the transmission path of the human-driven force; and the transmission includes a planetary gear mechanism having a plurality of gears, and at least a portion of the plurality of gears includes a resin component. According to the drive unit according to the 12th aspect, since at least a portion of the plurality of gears includes a resin component, the contact between metal components can be reduced. Therefore, the drive unit can suppress the generation of noise caused by the rotation of the plurality of gears.

In the driving unit of the 13th aspect according to the 11th or 12th aspect of the present disclosure, the resin component includes at least one of a thermoplastic component and a thermosetting component. According to the driving unit of the 13th aspect, at least a portion of the plurality of gears can be preferably formed by at least one of a thermoplastic component and a thermosetting component.

The driving unit of the 14th aspect of the present disclosure is a driving unit for a human-powered vehicle, which is arranged on the axle of the wheel of the human-powered vehicle, and comprises: a transmission having a plurality of speed change levels, arranged on the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, and changing the speed ratio of the human-powered vehicle; a reduction gear, which is arranged to receive the human-powered driving force through the transmission gear; and an output rotating part, which is arranged to be connected to the wheel, and output the human-powered driving force input from the reduction gear to the wheel; and the reduction ratio of the reduction gear is greater than 0 and less than 1. According to the drive unit of the 14th aspect, since the human driving force is input to the speed reducer after being output from the transmission, the rotation speed of the wheel can be appropriately changed.

In the drive unit of the 15th aspect according to the 14th aspect of the present disclosure, there is a wheel hub shell, and at least a portion of the above-mentioned speed reducer is arranged in the internal space of the above-mentioned wheel hub shell. According to the drive unit of the 15th aspect, the speed reducer can be arranged around the axle.

In the drive unit of the 16th aspect of the 14th or 15th aspect of the present disclosure, the transmission includes: a transmission input portion configured to be input with the human-powered driving force; and a transmission output portion configured to output the human-powered driving force; and the transmission ratio is the ratio of the rotation speed of the transmission output portion to the rotation speed of the transmission input portion, and the transmission is configured to change the transmission ratio between the minimum transmission ratio and the maximum transmission ratio, the minimum transmission ratio being the transmission ratio corresponding to the speed reduction, and the maximum transmission ratio being the transmission ratio corresponding to the speed increase. According to the drive unit of the 16th aspect, the transmission can reduce or increase the rotation speed of the transmission output portion relative to the rotation speed of the transmission input portion.

In the drive unit of the 17th aspect according to any one of the 14th to 16th aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of speed change levels include more than 3 speed change levels. According to the drive unit of the 17th aspect, the speed ratio can be changed to more than 3 stages.

In the driving unit of the 18th aspect according to any one of the 14th to 17th aspects of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned speed reduction ratio is greater than 0 and less than 0.8. According to the driving unit of the 18th aspect, the rotation speed of the wheel can be further appropriately changed.

In the drive unit of the 19th aspect according to the 18th aspect of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned speed reduction ratio is greater than 0.05 and less than 0.5. According to the drive unit of the 19th aspect, the rotation speed of the wheel can be further appropriately changed.

In the drive unit of the 20th aspect according to the 19th aspect of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned speed reduction ratio is greater than 0.1 and less than 0.2. According to the drive unit of the 20th aspect, the rotation speed of the wheel can be further appropriately changed. [Effect of the invention]

The drive unit for the human-powered vehicle disclosed herein can appropriately change the rotation speed of the wheels.

<First embodiment> Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8 , the driving system 20 for a human-powered vehicle and the driving unit 50 for a human-powered vehicle of the first embodiment are described.

The human-powered vehicle 10 is a vehicle having at least one wheel and being driven at least by human-powered driving force. The human-powered vehicle 10 includes various types of bicycles such as mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, cargo bikes, hand-cranked bikes, and recumbent bikes. The number of wheels that the human-powered vehicle 10 has is not limited. The human-powered vehicle 10 also includes vehicles such as one-wheeled vehicles and vehicles having more than two wheels. The human-powered vehicle 10 is not limited to vehicles that can be driven only by human-powered driving force. The human-powered vehicle 10 includes an E-bike that uses the driving force of an electric motor for propulsion in addition to human-powered driving force. The E-bike includes an electric-assisted bicycle that is propelled with the assistance of an electric motor. In the following, in the embodiment, the human-powered vehicle 10 is described as a bicycle.

The human-powered vehicle 10 includes an axle 12 and a wheel 14. The axle 12 is provided on a frame 10F of the human-powered vehicle 10. The wheel 14 is provided on the axle 12 in a manner that it rotates around the axle 12 by human-powered driving force. The human-powered vehicle 10 includes a crankshaft 16 that can rotate relative to the frame 10F of the human-powered vehicle 10. A pair of crank arms 16A are provided at each of the axial ends of the crankshaft 16. A pair of pedals 16B are connected to each of the pair of crank arms 16A. Human-powered driving force is input to the crankshaft 16 from the crank arms 16A and the pedals 16B.

The drive system 20 is, for example, a system for driving the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive system 20 includes, for example, at least a portion of a transmission path for the human-powered driving force of the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive system 20 includes, for example, a transmission path for the human-powered driving force from the crankshaft 16 to the wheel 14. The drive system 20 includes, for example, a drive unit 50 for the human-powered vehicle. The drive unit 50 of this embodiment is arranged around the crankshaft 16. The drive unit 50 can also be arranged on the axle 12 of the wheel 14.

The drive system 20 includes, for example, an input rotating part 22, a speed increasing gear 24, an output rotating part 26, and a motor 28. The drive system 20 is configured to input a human driving force to the input rotating part 22. The input rotating part 22 includes, for example, a crankshaft 16. The output rotating part 26 is configured to receive a human driving force through the input rotating part 22 and output the human driving force to the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The output rotating part 26 is, for example, connected to the wheel 14. The output rotating part 26 includes, for example, a wheel hub housing 38.

The speed increaser 24 is provided in the transmission path of the human power. The speed increaser 24 is configured to receive the human power. The speed increaser 24 is configured to receive the human power via the input rotating part 22.

The drive system 20 further includes, for example, a transmission 30. The transmission 30 is disposed in a transmission path of the human-powered driving force. The human-powered driving force is input to the transmission 30 via the input rotating portion 22. The transmission 30 is configured, for example, to change the speed ratio of the human-powered vehicle 10. The speed ratio is the ratio of the output rotational speed from the transmission 30 to the input rotational speed entering the transmission 30. The larger the speed ratio, the greater the output rotational speed.

In this specification, the speed ratio R is the ratio of the output rotational speed S2 to the input rotational speed S1 input to the corresponding device. The speed ratio R is expressed by the formula "R=S2/S1". The speed ratio R includes the speed ratio, the increase ratio, the reduction ratio, and the motor reduction ratio. When S1=S2, the speed ratio, the increase ratio, the reduction ratio, and the motor reduction ratio are 1. When S1＜S2, the speed ratio, the increase ratio, and the reduction ratio are greater than 1. When S1＞S2, the speed ratio, the increase ratio, the reduction ratio, and the motor reduction ratio are less than 1. In this specification, the larger the increase ratio, the greater the degree of increase. In this specification, the larger the reduction ratio, the smaller the degree of reduction. In this specification, the larger the motor reduction ratio, the smaller the degree of reduction.

The drive system 20 further includes, for example, a speed reducer 34. The speed reducer 34 is disposed in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force. The speed reducer 34 is disposed between the input rotating part 22 and the output rotating part 26 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force.

The motor 28 is configured to provide a propulsion force to the human-driven vehicle 10. The drive system 20, for example, includes at least a portion of a transmission path of the motor drive force of the motor 28. The drive system 20, for example, includes a transmission path of the motor drive force from the motor 28 to the wheel 14. The transmission path of the motor drive force, for example, merges with a transmission path of the human-driven force. The transmission path after the motor drive force transmission path merges with the human-driven force transmission path includes both the transmission path of the human-driven force and the transmission path of the motor drive force.

The drive system 20 further includes, for example, a housing 36. In the housing 36, for example, at least a portion of the power transmission components included in the drive system 20 is disposed. The housing 36 is, for example, a housing of the drive unit 50.

The drive system 20 includes, for example, a wheel hub shell 38. The wheel hub shell 38 is separate from the housing 36. When the drive unit 50 is disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14, the wheel hub shell 38 may be integrated with the housing 36. The drive system 20 includes, for example, a rear wheel hub 46. The wheel hub shell 38 of this embodiment is the wheel hub shell 38 of the rear wheel hub 46.

The drive system 20 includes, for example, a drive input rotating portion 40, a drive output rotating portion 42, and an endless annular component 44. The drive input rotating portion 40 is configured to input a human driving force. The drive output rotating portion 42 is configured to output a human driving force. The endless annular component 44 connects the drive input rotating portion 40 and the drive output rotating portion 42. For example, the drive input rotating portion 40 includes one of a sprocket and a pulley. The drive output rotating portion 42 includes, for example, one of a sprocket and a pulley. The endless annular component 44 includes, for example, one of a chain and a belt. In this embodiment, the drive input rotating part 40 includes a sprocket, the drive output rotating part 42 includes a sprocket, and the endless annular member 44 includes a chain. For example, the sprocket of the drive input rotating part 40 includes a front sprocket, and the sprocket of the drive output rotating part 42 includes a rear sprocket.

In this embodiment, the speed reducer 34 includes a drive input rotating part 40, a drive output rotating part 42, and an endless annular member 44. The number of teeth of the sprocket of the drive input rotating part 40 is less than the number of teeth of the sprocket of the drive output rotating part 42. The sprocket of the drive input rotating part 40 includes, for example, 9 teeth. The sprocket of the drive output rotating part 42 includes, for example, 60 teeth.

The drive unit 50 has at least a portion of the power transmission components included in the drive system 20. The drive unit 50, for example, has a speed increaser 24 and a transmission 30. The drive unit 50, for example, has a motor 28 and a motor speed reducer 32. The drive unit 50, for example, further has an input rotating portion 22. The drive unit 50, for example, further has a crankshaft 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive unit 50, for example, further has a combined force portion 52.

The drive unit 50 may further include the speed reducer 34. When the drive unit 50 includes the speed reducer 34, the speed reducer 34 may include a first speed reducer having a drive input rotating portion 40, a drive output rotating portion 42, and an endless annular member 44, and a second speed reducer different from the first speed reducer, and the drive unit 50 may include the second speed reducer. The speed reducer 34 may not include the first speed reducer, but include the second speed reducer. When the speed reducer 34 does not include the first speed reducer but includes the second speed reducer, the drive input rotating portion 40, the drive output rotating portion 42, and the endless annular member 44 may not constitute the speed reducer 34. When the drive unit 50 includes the speed reducer 34, at least a portion of the drive input rotating portion 40 may be disposed in the drive unit 50.

The housing 36 is, for example, disposed on the frame 10F of the human-powered vehicle 10. The housing 36 of this embodiment is configured to support an input rotating shaft 54 to which human-powered driving force is input. The input rotating shaft 54 is, for example, inputted with human-powered driving force. The input rotating shaft 54 of this embodiment is a crank shaft 16. The input rotating shaft 54 is disposed on the housing 36 in such a manner as to be rotatable relative to the housing 36 about an input center axis C1. The input center axis C1 is, for example, substantially coaxial with the rotation axis of the input rotating shaft 54. In this specification, the description of substantially coaxial means a completely coaxial situation, or a situation that is not completely coaxial but is regarded as completely coaxial. The situation that is regarded as completely coaxial is, for example, the situation that the function of the drive system 20 or the drive unit 50 is not significantly affected by the non-coaxiality. At least a part of the crankshaft 16 is arranged on the housing 36.

For example, the input rotating part 22, the speed increasing gear 24, the motor 28, and the speed reducer 34 are disposed in the housing 36. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the input rotating part 22, the speed increasing gear 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, and the motor speed reducer 32 are arranged in the inner space of the housing 36. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the speed reducer 34 is disposed in the housing 36.

The input rotating part 22 is configured to be rotatable around the input center axis C1. The input rotating part 22 is provided on the housing 36, for example, so as to be rotatable around the input center axis C1 relative to the housing 36. The input rotating part 22 of this embodiment includes an input rotating shaft 54. The input rotating part 22 includes, for example, an input transmission part 22A connecting the crankshaft 16 and the speed increaser 24.

The drive unit 50 includes, for example, a first one-way clutch 22B. The first one-way clutch 22B is, for example, disposed between the input rotating portion 22 and the input transmission portion 22A. When the crankshaft 16 rotates in the direction in which the human-powered vehicle 10 moves forward, the first one-way clutch 22B transmits the rotational torque of the crankshaft 16 to the input rotating portion 22, and, when the input rotating portion 22 rotates in the direction in which the human-powered vehicle 10 moves forward, the first one-way clutch 22B suppresses the rotational torque of the input rotating portion 22 from being transmitted to the crankshaft 16. The first one-way clutch 22B includes, for example, at least one of a roller clutch and a claw clutch. The first one-way clutch 22B includes, for example, an inner wheel and an outer wheel. The inner wheel may be formed integrally with the input rotating portion 22, or may be formed separately from the input rotating portion 22, and may be mounted on the input rotating portion 22 in such a manner that it rotates integrally with the input rotating portion 22. When the inner wheel is formed separately from the input rotating portion 22, the inner wheel is mounted on the input rotating portion 22, for example, by a spline. The outer wheel may be formed integrally with the input transmission portion 22A, or may be formed separately from the input transmission portion 22A, and may be mounted on the input transmission portion 22A in such a manner that it rotates integrally with the input transmission portion 22A. When the outer wheel is formed separately from the input transmission portion 22A, the outer wheel is mounted on the input transmission portion 22A, for example, by a spline.

The transmission 30 is configured to receive the human power through the input rotary shaft 54. For example, the transmission 30 is configured to receive the human power through the speed increaser 24. For example, the transmission 30 is configured to output the human power to the speed reducer 34.

The speed reducer 34 is configured so that the human power is inputted via the speed increasing machine 24. The speed reducer 34 is configured so that the human power is inputted via the speed change machine 30.

The input rotating part 22, the speed increasing machine 24, the speed changer 30, the force combining part 52, the speed reducer 34, and the output rotating part 26 constitute a part of the transmission path of the human-powered driving force. In this embodiment, the human-powered driving force is sequentially transmitted to the input rotating part 22, the speed increasing machine 24, the speed changer 30, the speed reducer 34, and the output rotating part 26. The motor speed reducer 32, the force combining part 52, the speed reducer 34, and the output rotating part 26 constitute a part of the transmission path of the motor-powered driving force. The motor-powered driving force of this embodiment is transmitted between the speed changer 30 and the speed reducer 34. The motor 28 of this embodiment is configured to output the motor driving force to the resultant force portion 52 in the transmission path of the human driving force.

The speed increaser 24 is, for example, disposed in the housing 36. The speed increaser 24 includes, for example, at least one of a gear, a pulley, and an endless annular component. The speed increaser 24 of this embodiment includes a gear. The speed increaser 24 includes, for example, a planetary gear mechanism 24X. The speed increaser 24 may also include a plurality of gears having different rotation center axes in addition to or instead of the planetary gear mechanism 24X. When the speed increaser 24 includes a pulley, the speed increaser 24 may include a belt-type speed increaser mechanism. When the speed increaser 24 includes an endless annular component, the speed increaser 24 may include a chain-type speed increaser mechanism.

The speed increaser 24 has a speed increase rotation center axis A1, a speed increase input rotating part 24A, and a speed increase output rotating part 24B. The speed increase input rotating part 24A is configured to be input with human power. The speed increase output rotating part 24B is configured to output human power. The speed increase input rotating part 24A can rotate around the speed increase rotation center axis A1. The speed increase output rotating part 24B can rotate around the speed increase rotation center axis A1. The speed increase rotation center axis A1 of this embodiment is substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. The speed increase input rotating part 24A has a speed increase input rotation axis A2. The speed increase output rotating part 24B has a speed increase output rotation axis A3. The speed-increasing output rotating axis A3 is coaxially arranged with the speed-increasing input rotating axis A2. The speed-increasing input rotating axis A2 and the speed-increasing output rotating axis A3 of this embodiment are substantially coaxial with the speed-increasing rotating center axis A1. The speed-increasing machine 24 is configured to increase the rotation speed of the speed-increasing input rotating part 24A according to the speed-increasing ratio and output it from the speed-increasing output rotating part 24B.

The speed-increasing ratio of the speed-increasing machine 24 is, for example, the ratio of the rotation speed of the speed-increasing output rotating part 24B to the rotation speed of the speed-increasing input rotating part 24A. The larger the speed-increasing ratio of the speed-increasing machine 24, the greater the speed-increasing degree of the speed-increasing machine 24.

The speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing machine 24 is, for example, 3 to 20. The speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing machine 24 is, for example, 5 to 18. For example, the speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing machine 24 is, for example, 7 to 16. The speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing machine 24 is, for example, 9 to 14. The speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing machine 24 is, for example, 9.4.

The speed-increasing ratio of the speed-increasing machine 24 may be greater than 3 and less than 11. The speed-increasing ratio of the speed-increasing machine 24 may be greater than 6 and less than 20. The speed-increasing ratio of the speed-increasing machine 24 is, for example, 6.032.

The speed changer 30 is, for example, disposed in a housing 36. The speed changer 30 has a speed change rotation center axis A4, a speed change input rotating portion 30A, and a speed change output rotating portion 30B. The speed change input rotating portion 30A can rotate around the speed change rotation center axis A4. The speed change output rotating portion 30B can rotate around the speed change rotation center axis A4. The speed change rotation center axis A4 is substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. The speed changer 30 is configured to output the rotation speed of the rotation input to the speed change input rotating portion 30A from the speed change output rotating portion 30B according to the speed ratio of the speed changer 30. The speed change output rotating portion 30B is configured to output the human driving force to the counter force portion 52.

The transmission 30 includes, for example, a transmission input portion 30C and a transmission output portion 30D. The transmission input portion 30C is configured to receive, for example, human power. The transmission output portion 30D is configured to output, for example, human power. For example, the transmission input portion 30C includes a transmission input rotary portion 30A, and the transmission output portion 30D includes a transmission output rotary portion 30B.

The speed ratio of the transmission 30 is, for example, the ratio of the rotation speed of the transmission output portion 30D to the rotation speed of the transmission input portion 30C. The speed ratio of the transmission 30 is, for example, the ratio of the rotation speed of the transmission output rotating portion 30B to the rotation speed of the transmission input rotating portion 30A. The transmission 30 is, for example, configured to change the speed ratio between the minimum speed ratio and the maximum speed ratio. The minimum speed ratio is the speed ratio corresponding to the deceleration. The maximum speed ratio is the speed ratio corresponding to the acceleration. The minimum speed ratio is, for example, greater than 0 and less than 1. The smaller the minimum speed ratio, the smaller the degree of acceleration when the speed ratio is the minimum speed ratio. The maximum speed ratio is, for example, greater than 1 and less than 5. The larger the maximum speed ratio, the greater the degree of acceleration when the speed ratio is the maximum speed ratio.

The transmission 30 of this embodiment is configured to change the speed ratio in stages. The transmission 30 has, for example, a plurality of speed levels. The plurality of speed levels have, for example, different speed ratios. The speed ratio of the transmission 30 is changed by changing the speed level from one speed level to another speed level. The transmission 30 includes, for example, a planetary gear mechanism 30X. The transmission 30 may also include a manual transmission having a clutch plate instead of the planetary gear mechanism 30X or in addition thereto. The transmission 30 may also be configured to change the speed ratio without steps. When the speed ratio is changed without steps, the transmission 30 includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT; Continuously Variable Transmission). The transmission 30 includes, for example, a speed change switching unit 30Y configured to change the speed ratio of the transmission 30. The speed change switching unit 30Y can be controlled by an electric actuator or by a mechanical cable connected to a shift lever operable by a rider. As the transmission 30, for example, the transmission disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-78618 can be used. For the transmission 30, as long as it is a transmission with a plurality of speed change levels, various types of transmissions such as a planetary gear type transmission, a ball type stepless transmission, and a parallel shaft gear type transmission can be used, and the type of the transmission is not particularly limited.

The ratio of the maximum speed ratio among the gear ratios of the plurality of gear shift levels to the minimum speed ratio among the gear ratios of the plurality of gear shift levels is, for example, greater than 1.2 and less than 8. The ratio of the maximum speed ratio to the minimum speed ratio is, for example, greater than 1.7 and less than 7. The ratio of the maximum speed ratio to the minimum speed ratio is, for example, greater than 2.4 and less than 6. The ratio of the maximum speed ratio to the minimum speed ratio is, for example, 2.4.

The planetary gear mechanism 30X is configured to change the speed ratio to three or more stages, for example. The plurality of speed levels includes, for example, three or more speed levels. The three or more speed levels have different speed ratios.

For example, the plurality of speed levels include a first speed level and a second speed level. The first speed level, for example, has a speed ratio of the first ratio. The second speed level, for example, has a speed ratio of the second ratio. For example, the second ratio is greater than the first ratio among the speed ratios of the plurality of speed levels, and is closest to the first ratio. The first speed level and the second speed level, for example, correspond to all arbitrary two speed levels that satisfy the conditions among the plurality of speed levels. The first speed level corresponds to any one of the plurality of speed levels that is different from the speed level with the largest speed ratio. The second speed level corresponds to a speed level among the plurality of speed levels that has a speed ratio greater than the speed ratio of the first speed level and a speed ratio that is closest to the speed ratio of the first speed level. The ratio of the first ratio to the second ratio is, for example, 0.75 or more and less than 1. The ratio of the first ratio to the second ratio is, for example, 0.8 or more and less than 1. The ratio of the first ratio to the second ratio is, for example, 0.85 or more and less than 1. The ratio of the first ratio to the second ratio is, for example, 0.85.

The motor 28 is configured to input the motor driving force to the speed reducer 34. The motor 28 is configured to output the motor driving force between the speed increaser 24 and the speed reducer 34 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force. For example, the motor 28 is configured to output the motor driving force to the downstream of the transmission path of the human-powered driving force of the speed increaser 24 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force. For example, the motor 28 is configured to output the motor driving force from the speed increaser 24 to the output rotating part 26 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force.

The motor 28 is disposed in the housing 36. The motor 28 includes a motor rotation axis A5. The motor rotation axis 28A is disposed in the housing 36 so as to be rotatable around an additional center axis C2. The additional center axis C2 is, for example, an axis parallel to and different from the input center axis C1. The additional center axis C2 is, for example, an axis passing through the inner space of the housing 36 and parallel to the input center axis C1. The motor rotation axis A5 is, for example, substantially coaxial with the additional center axis C2.

The motor reducer 32 outputs the motor driving force input from the motor 28 to the transmission path of the human driving force. For example, the motor reducer 32 includes at least one of a gear, a pulley and an endless annular component. The motor reducer 32 of this embodiment includes gears. The motor reducer 32, for example, includes a motor reduction mechanism 32X having a plurality of spur gears with different pitch circle diameters. The plurality of spur gears of the motor reduction mechanism 32X connect the motor rotating shaft 28A and the combined force part 52. When the motor reducer 32 includes gears, the motor reducer 32 may include a planetary gear mechanism. When the motor reducer 32 includes a pulley, the motor reducer 32 may include a belt type reduction mechanism. When the motor reducer 32 includes an endless ring member, the motor reducer 32 may include a chain type reduction mechanism.

For example, the motor reducer 32 has a motor reduction input rotating part 32A and a motor reduction output rotating part 32B. The motor reduction ratio of the motor reducer 32 is, for example, the ratio of the rotation speed of the motor reduction output rotating part 32B to the rotation speed of the motor reduction input rotating part 32A. The motor reduction ratio of the motor reducer 32 is, for example, greater than 0.125 and less than 1. The motor reduction ratio of the motor reducer 32 is, for example, greater than 0.15 and less than 0.7. The motor reduction ratio of the motor reducer 32 is, for example, greater than 0.17 and less than 0.5. The motor reduction ratio of the motor reducer 32 is, for example, greater than 0.2 and less than 0.3. The motor reduction ratio of the motor reduction device 32 is, for example, 0.25.

The combined force part 52 is arranged between the input rotating part 22 and the output rotating part 26 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force. The combined force part 52 is configured to receive the motor driving force from the motor 28 and to receive the human-powered driving force. The combined force part 52 is configured, for example, to combine the motor driving force of the motor 28 with the human-powered driving force and output it to the speed reducer 34. The combined force part 52 is configured, for example, to receive the human-powered driving force from the speed-changing output rotating part 30B and to output the human-powered driving force to the speed reducer 34. The combined force part 52 is configured, for example, to receive the motor driving force from the motor speed reduction output rotating part 32B and to output the motor driving force to the speed reducer 34.

The drive unit 50 includes, for example, a second one-way clutch 52A. The second one-way clutch 52A is, for example, disposed between the motor 28 and the combined force portion 52 in the transmission path of the motor driving force. The second one-way clutch 52A transmits the rotational force of the motor 28 to the combined force portion 52, and restricts the rotational force of the combined force portion 52 from being transmitted to the motor 28. The second one-way clutch 52A includes, for example, at least one of a roller clutch and a claw clutch.

The speed reducer 34 is configured to receive the motor driving force from the motor 28 and the human driving force. The human driving force and the motor driving force are input to the speed reducer 34 via the combined force unit 52. The motor driving force of the motor 28 is input to the speed reducer 34 via the motor speed reducer 32.

The speed reducer 34 has, for example, a first speed reduction center axis A7, a speed reduction input rotating portion 34A, a second speed reduction center axis A8, and a speed reduction output rotating portion 34B. The second speed reduction center axis A8 is, for example, different from the first speed reduction center axis A7. The speed reduction input rotating portion 34A is, for example, rotatable around the first speed reduction center axis A7. The speed reduction output rotating portion 34B is, for example, rotatable around the second speed reduction center axis A8. The first speed reduction center axis A7 is substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. The second speed reduction center axis A8 is substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3 of the wheel hub housing 38. The deceleration input rotating part 34A is input with, for example, human power. The deceleration output rotating part 34B outputs, for example, human power. The speed reducer 34 is configured to reduce the rotation speed of the rotation input to the deceleration input rotating part 34A according to a speed reduction ratio and output the rotation from the deceleration output rotating part 34B.

The speed reduction ratio of the reducer 34 is, for example, the ratio of the rotation speed of the speed reduction output rotating part 34B to the rotation speed of the speed reduction input rotating part 34A. In the first speed reduction ratio, the speed reduction ratio of the reducer 34 is greater than 0 and less than 0.8. The speed reduction ratio of the reducer 34 is, for example, greater than 0.1 and less than 0.5. The speed reduction ratio of the reducer 34 is, for example, greater than 0.15 and less than 0.3. The speed reduction ratio of the reducer 34 is, for example, 0.15.

In the second reduction ratio, the reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is greater than 0 and less than 1. The reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is, for example, greater than 0.125 and less than 0.7. The reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is, for example, greater than 0.17 and less than 0.5. The reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is, for example, greater than 0.2 and less than 0.3.

In the third reduction ratio, the reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is greater than or equal to 0.05 and less than or equal to 0.5. The reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.2.

In the fourth reduction ratio, the reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is greater than 0 and less than 0.65. The reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is, for example, greater than 0.05 and less than 0.5. The reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is, for example, greater than 0.1 and less than 0.3.

For example, the drive input rotating portion 40 is configured to receive human drive force via the speed increaser 24. For example, the drive input rotating portion 40 is input with human drive force via the speed changer 30. For example, the motor drive force of the motor 28 is input to the drive input rotating portion 40. For example, the drive input rotating portion 40 is configured to be rotatable around the first drive rotation center axis A9. The first drive rotation center axis A9 is substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. For example, the first drive rotation center axis A9 is substantially coaxial with the speed increase rotation center axis A1. For example, the first drive rotation center axis A9 is substantially coaxial with the speed change rotation center axis A4. The first drive rotation center axis A9 is substantially coaxial with the first reduction center axis A7.

For example, the drive output rotating portion 42 is configured to rotate around the second drive rotation center axis A10. The second drive rotation center axis A10 is, for example, different from the first drive rotation center axis A9. The second drive rotation center axis A10 is, for example, arranged in parallel with the first drive rotation center axis A9. For example, the second drive rotation center axis A10 is substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3 of the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The second drive rotation center axis A10 is substantially coaxial with the second reduction center axis A8.

The drive input rotating portion 40 has a single pitch circle into which the human-powered driving force is input via the input rotating shaft 54 into which the human-powered driving force is input. The drive output rotating portion 42 has a single pitch circle for outputting the human-powered driving force to the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The pitch circle of the drive input rotating portion 40 has an input pitch circle diameter X1. The pitch circle of the drive output rotating portion 42 has an output pitch circle diameter X2. The input pitch circle diameter X1 is smaller than the output pitch circle diameter X2. The reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is, for example, the ratio of the input pitch circle diameter X1 to the output pitch circle diameter X2. For example, the drive input rotary portion 40, the drive output rotary portion 42, and the endless annular member 44 constitute the speed reducer 34. The drive input rotary portion 40 includes, for example, a speed reduction input rotary portion 34A, and the drive output rotary portion 42 includes, for example, a speed reduction output rotary portion 34B.

The input pitch circle diameter X1 is, for example, 10 mm or more and 103 mm or less. The input pitch circle diameter X1 is, for example, 15 mm or more and 82 mm or less. The input pitch circle diameter X1 is, for example, 20 mm or more and 62 mm or less. The input pitch circle diameter X1 is, for example, 25 mm or more and 38 mm or less. The input pitch circle diameter X1 is, for example, 38 mm.

The pitch circle ratio of the input pitch circle diameter X1 of the drive input rotating portion 40 to the output pitch circle diameter X2 of the drive output rotating portion 42 is, for example, greater than 0 and less than 1. The pitch circle ratio of the input pitch circle diameter X1 to the output pitch circle diameter X2 is, for example, greater than 0.05 and less than 0.8. The pitch circle ratio of the input pitch circle diameter X1 to the output pitch circle diameter X2 is, for example, greater than 0.1 and less than 0.5. The pitch circle ratio of the input pitch circle diameter X1 to the output pitch circle diameter X2 is, for example, greater than 0.15 and less than 0.2. The pitch circle ratio of the input pitch circle diameter X1 to the output pitch circle diameter X2 is, for example, 0.2.

The output rotating part 26 is configured to be connected to the wheel 14, and outputs the human-powered driving force input from the speed reducer 34 to the wheel 14. The output rotating part 26 is configured to receive the human-powered driving force through the speed increaser 24. The output rotating part 26 is configured to receive the human-powered driving force and the motor-powered driving force from the speed reducer 34 through the driving output rotating part 42. The wheel hub housing 38 of the output rotating part 26 is rotated by the human-powered driving force and the motor-powered driving force input from the self-driven output rotating part 42, thereby driving the human-powered vehicle 10.

For example, at least one of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 includes a metal material. At least one of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 includes a metal material in at least a portion of a part constituting a transmission path of a human-powered driving force. The metal material includes, for example, at least one of steel, a stainless steel alloy, an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, and a titanium alloy.

For example, at least one of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 includes a resin material. At least one of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 includes a resin material in at least a portion of a part constituting a transmission path of a human power driving force. The resin material includes, for example, a thermoplastic component and a thermosetting component. Thermoplastic components include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, AS (acrylonitrile-styrene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polyvinyl chloride, acrylic resin, PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol), polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride 6, nylon 66, nylon 12, acetal resin, polycarbonate, PBT (polybutylene The thermosetting member includes at least one of phenolic resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester, polyurethane, allyl resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, and furan resin.

At least one of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 may include, for example, a gear whose gear top is formed of a resin material and whose portion other than the gear top is formed of a metal material. At least one of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 may include, for example, a gear formed of a resin material. At least one of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 may also include, for example, a gear formed of a metal material.

In this embodiment, the human driving force is sequentially transmitted to the input rotating part 22, the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the speed reducer 34, and the output rotating part 26, and the motor driving force is transmitted between the speed changer 30 and the speed reducer 34, but at least one of the configuration and structure of each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 can be appropriately changed.

5 to 8 show the first to fiftieth examples of the combination of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34. The drive system 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 corresponds to the first example.

The configuration locations in the tables of FIGS. 5 to 8 show the positions of the rotation center axes included in each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34. In each example, the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 are configured in such a manner that the rotation center axes included in each become the axes shown in the configuration locations. In the tables of FIGS. 5 to 8, when the configuration locations are indicated by -, it is indicated that the drive system 20 does not have the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, or the speed reducer 34 corresponding to the configuration locations indicated by -.

The first axis B1 is an axis substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. The second axis B2 is an axis substantially coaxial with the additional center axis C2. The third axis B3 is an axis substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3. The fourth axis B4 corresponds to the case where the rotation center axis of the input rotating part 22 is different from the rotation center axis of the output rotating part 26 in each of the speed increaser 24 and the speed reducer 34. When the configuration position of the speed reducer 34 is the fourth axis B4, the speed reducer 34 includes a drive input rotating part 40 and a drive output rotating part 42. When the speed increaser 24 is disposed at the fourth axis B4, the speed increaser 24 includes a drive input rotating portion 40 and a drive output rotating portion 42. When the speed increaser 24 includes the drive input rotating portion 40 and the drive output rotating portion 42, the number of teeth of the sprocket included in the drive input rotating portion 40 is greater than the number of teeth of the sprocket included in the drive output rotating portion 42.

When the speed increaser 24, the transmission 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 are disposed at the first axis B1 or the second axis B2, the speed increaser 24, the transmission 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 are disposed near the crankshaft 16. When the speed increaser 24, the transmission 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 are disposed at the third axis B3, the speed increaser 24, the transmission 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 are disposed at the rear wheel hub 46.

The transmission methods in the table of FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 include a planetary gear method, a chain method, a CVT method, an external speed change method, and a gear method. When the transmission method of each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 is a planetary gear method, each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 includes a planetary gear mechanism. When the transmission method of each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 is a chain method, each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 includes two sprockets and a chain. When the transmission method of each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 is a chain method, each of the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, the motor speed reducer 32, and the speed reducer 34 may also include two pulleys and a belt. When the transmission method of the speed changer 30 is a CVT method, the speed changer 30 includes a CVT. When the transmission mode of the transmission machine 30 is an external transmission mode, the transmission machine 30 includes an external transmission machine. When the transmission mode of the motor reduction machine 32 is a gear mode, the motor reduction machine 32 includes a plurality of gears. In the tables of FIGS. 5 to 8 , the transmission mode of the transmission machine 30 is recorded as an external transmission mode and a CVT mode, and the transmission machine 30 includes at least one of the external transmission machine and the CVT. In the tables of FIGS. 5 to 8 , the transmission mode of the transmission machine 30 is recorded as an external transmission mode and a CVT mode, and the transmission machine 30 may include a planetary gear mechanism in addition to or instead of at least one of the external transmission machine and the CVT. In the tables of FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 , the transmission mode of the speed increaser 24 is recorded as the transmission mode of each example of the planetary gear mode and the chain mode, and the speed increaser 24 includes at least one of the planetary gear and the chain. In the tables of FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 , the transmission mode of the speed increaser 24 is recorded as the transmission mode of each example of the planetary gear mode and the chain mode, and the speed increaser 24 may include a plurality of gears in addition to or instead of at least one of the planetary gear and the chain.

<Second Implementation> Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the second implementation are described. Since the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the second implementation are the same as the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the first implementation except for the structure of the drive unit 50, the same symbols as the first implementation are marked for the common structure with the first implementation, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

The drive system 20 of this embodiment corresponds to, for example, the 31st to 36th examples of Figure 7. The drive unit 50 of this embodiment includes an additional shaft 56. The center axis of the additional shaft 56 is substantially coaxial with the additional center axis C2. The speed increaser 24 of this embodiment includes a plurality of gears. The speed increaser input rotating portion 24A of this embodiment is configured to rotate around the input center axis C1, and the speed increaser output rotating portion 24B of this embodiment is configured to rotate around the additional center axis C2. The speed changer 30 of this embodiment is arranged on the additional shaft 56 in a manner that the speed changer rotation center axis A4 is substantially coaxial with the additional center axis C2. For example, a speed reducer and a speed increaser are not provided between the transmission 30 and the force combining part 52. The motor 28 of this embodiment is provided in the housing 36 in such a manner that the motor rotation axis A5 and the input center axis C1 are substantially coaxial. The motor speed reducer 32 of this embodiment is provided in the housing 36 in such a manner that the motor speed reduction center axis A6 and the input center axis C1 are substantially coaxial.

The transmission 30 of this embodiment, for example, includes a planetary gear mechanism 58. The transmission 30, for example, has a plurality of gears. The transmission 30, for example, includes a planetary gear mechanism 58 having a plurality of gears. For example, at least a portion of the plurality of gears includes a resin component. The resin component includes a resin material. For example, any one of the plurality of gears has a top gear that includes a resin material. For example, the resin component includes at least one of a thermoplastic component and a thermosetting component. Any one of the plurality of gears has a top gear that includes a thermoplastic component. Any one of the plurality of gears may include a thermosetting component.

The planetary gear mechanism 58 is configured to output a rotational force to a speed change output portion 60 of the transmission 30. The speed change output portion 60 is, for example, formed in a cylindrical shape. At least a portion of the planetary gear mechanism 58 is, for example, arranged in an internal space of the speed change output portion 60. The speed change output portion 60 is connected to the combined force portion 52 in a manner that can output a rotational force to the combined force portion 52. The transmission 30 includes, for example, a first planetary assembly 62 and a second planetary assembly 64. The planetary gear mechanism 58 includes, for example, a first planetary assembly 62 and a second planetary assembly 64. The second planetary assembly 64 is connected to the first planetary assembly 62. The second planetary assembly 64 is, for example, arranged at a position different from the first planetary assembly 62 in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4. The first planetary assembly 62 and the second planetary assembly 64 have, for example, a common speed change rotation center axis. The common speed change rotation center axis of the first planetary assembly 62 and the second planetary assembly 64 is substantially coaxial with the speed change rotation center axis A4.

The first planetary assembly 62 includes a first sun gear 62A, a first annular gear 62B, a first planetary gear 62C, and a first gear carrier 62D. The first sun gear 62A is arranged around the additional shaft 56. The first annular gear 62B is arranged around the first sun gear 62A. A plurality of first planetary gears 62C are arranged between the first sun gear 62A and the first annular gear 62B in a manner of engaging with the first sun gear 62A and the first annular gear 62B. The first gear carrier 62D is connected to the first planetary gear 62C.

The second planetary assembly 64 includes a second sun gear 64A, a second annular gear 64B, a second planetary gear 64C, and a second gear carrier 64D. The second sun gear 64A is arranged around the additional shaft 56. The second annular gear 64B is arranged around the second sun gear 64A. A plurality of second planetary gears 64C are arranged between the second sun gear 64A and the second annular gear 64B in a manner of engaging with the second sun gear 64A and the second annular gear 64B. The second gear carrier 64D is connected to the second planetary gear 64C.

The speed change input rotating part 30A is connected to the first gear carrier 62D of the first planetary assembly 62, for example. The speed change output rotating part 30B is connected to the speed change output part 60, for example. The speed change output part 60 rotates integrally with the second annular gear 64B of the second planetary assembly 64. The transmission 30 has at least four speed change levels. The transmission 30 has four speed change levels, for example. The transmission 30 includes a speed change switching part 66, for example. The speed change switching part 66 includes four clutches, for example. The speed change switching part 66 is configured to switch the speed change level of the transmission 30 by switching the four clutches.

The maximum dimension Y1 of the transmission 30 in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is, for example, less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension Y2 of the transmission 30 in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is, for example, less than 30 mm. The maximum dimension Y1 is the dimension from the speed change rotation center axis A4 to the farthest part of the second planetary gear 64C, to the farthest part of the second planetary gear 64C on the opposite side of the speed change rotation center axis A4 in the circumferential direction. The maximum dimension Y2 is the dimension from the end of the first planetary gear 62C on the opposite side of the second planetary assembly 64 to the end of the second planetary gear 64C on the opposite side of the first planetary assembly 62 in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4. The maximum dimension Y2 may also be the dimension from the end of the first gear carrier 62D on the opposite side of the second planetary assembly 64 to the end of the second gear carrier 64D on the opposite side of the first planetary assembly 62 in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4.

The maximum dimension Y1 of the transmission 30 in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is, for example, 70 mm or less. The maximum dimension Y1 of the transmission 30 in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is, for example, 60 mm or less. The maximum dimension Y2 in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is, for example, 20 mm or less. The maximum dimension Y2 in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is, for example, 10 mm or less. The maximum dimension Y2 in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is, for example, 6 mm or less.

<Third Implementation> Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 11 , the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the third implementation are described. Since the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the third implementation are the same as the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the first implementation except for the structure of the drive unit 50, the same symbols as those of the first implementation are marked for the structures common to the first implementation, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

The drive system 20 of this embodiment corresponds to the 9th to 11th examples of FIG. 5, for example. The drive unit 50 of this embodiment has a housing 36, a speed increaser 24, a speed changer 30, and a motor 28. The speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the motor 28 of this embodiment are arranged in the housing 36. The speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the motor 28 are arranged around the crankshaft 16. Each of the speed increaser 24 and the speed changer 30 of this embodiment includes at least one planetary gear mechanism arranged around the crankshaft 16.

The drive unit 50 of this embodiment has a motor reducer 32. The motor reducer 32 of this embodiment is arranged in a housing 36. The motor reducer 32 is arranged around the crankshaft 16. The motor reducer 32 of this embodiment includes at least one planetary gear mechanism arranged around the crankshaft 16. For example, the motor reducer 32 has a motor reduction center axis A6, a motor reduction input rotating part 32A, and a motor reduction output rotating part 32B. The motor reduction input rotating part 32A of this embodiment can, for example, rotate around the motor reduction center axis A6. The motor reduction output rotating portion 32B of this embodiment can rotate around the motor reduction center axis A6, for example. The motor reduction center axis A6 is substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1.

In this embodiment, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial. For example, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. For example, at least one of the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 is substantially coaxial with the motor speed-reducing center axis A6. In this embodiment, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are all substantially coaxial with the motor speed-reducing center axis A6.

For example, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are different from one of the first speed-reducing center axis A7 and the second speed-reducing center axis A8. In this embodiment, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are different from the second speed-reducing center axis A8. In addition, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial with the first speed-reducing center axis A7.

<Fourth Implementation Form> Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 12, the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the fourth implementation form are described. Since the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the fourth implementation form are the same as the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the first implementation form except for the structure of the drive unit 50, the same symbols as the first implementation form are marked for the common structure with the first implementation form, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

The drive system 20 of this embodiment corresponds to the 49th example of Figure 8, for example. The drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of this embodiment do not include the motor reducer 32. The drive unit 50 of this embodiment is at least partially disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive unit 50 of this embodiment is disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive unit 50, for example, has a housing 36, a speed increaser 24, a speed changer 30, a motor 28, and a speed reductionr 34. The housing 36, for example, includes a wheel hub housing 38. The speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the motor 28 of this embodiment are disposed in the housing 36. The speed reducer 34 is disposed in the housing 36. The speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, and the speed reducer 34 are disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14. The speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, the motor 28, and the speed reducer 34 of the present embodiment each include at least one planetary gear mechanism disposed around the axle 12. For example, the speed increaser rotation center axis A1, the speed changer rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3 of the axle 12.

In this embodiment, the input pitch circle diameter X1 of the drive input rotary portion 40 is equal to the output pitch circle diameter X2 of the drive output rotary portion 42. The drive input rotary portion 40, the drive output rotary portion 42, and the endless annular member 44 of this embodiment transmit the rotational force of the crankshaft 16 to the axle 12 while maintaining the rotational speed.

The speed reducer 34 of this embodiment includes a speed reduction rotation center axis A11. The speed reduction input rotation portion 34A, for example, can rotate around the speed reduction rotation center axis A11. The speed reduction output rotation portion 34B, for example, can rotate around the speed reduction rotation center axis A11. For example, the speed increase rotation center axis A1 and the speed reduction rotation center axis A11 are substantially coaxial. In this embodiment, the speed increase rotation center axis A1, the speed change rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial with the speed reduction rotation center axis A11.

Three or more of the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, the speed-reducing rotation center axis A11, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial. In this embodiment, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, the speed-reducing rotation center axis A11, and the motor rotation axis A5 are all substantially coaxial. For example, three or more substantially coaxial axes of the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, the speed-reducing rotation center axis A11, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3 of the axle 12. In this embodiment, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, the speed-reducing rotation center axis A11, and the motor rotation center axis A5 are all substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3 of the axle 12. For example, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, the speed-reducing rotation center axis A11, and the motor rotation center axis A5 are substantially coaxial.

<Fifth Implementation> Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14, the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the fifth implementation are described. Since the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the fifth implementation are the same as the drive system 20 and the drive unit 50 of the fourth implementation except for the configuration of the drive unit 50 and the speed increaser 24, the same symbols as those of the first and fourth implementations are assigned to the configurations common to the fourth implementation, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

The drive system 20 of this embodiment corresponds to the 45th example of FIG8 . The drive system 20 of this embodiment has a first speed increaser 70 and a second speed increaser 72. The speed increaser 24 of this embodiment includes a first speed increaser 70 and a second speed increaser 72. The drive system 20 of this embodiment includes an additional housing 70A. The additional housing 70A is mounted on the frame 10F of the human-powered vehicle 10. The first speed increaser 70 is arranged on the additional housing 70A.

The first speed increaser 70 is configured to receive human power through the input rotating shaft 54. The first speed increaser 70 is rotatably disposed on the additional housing 70A around the input center axis C1. The first speed increaser 70 includes a speed increaser mechanism 70B having a planetary gear type disposed around the crankshaft 16. Human power is input to the first speed increaser 70 through the input rotating portion 22. The first speed increaser 70 outputs human power to the second speed increaser 72.

At least a portion of the second speed increaser 72 is disposed in the additional housing 70A. The second speed increaser 72 is configured to input human driving force through the first speed increaser 70. The second speed increaser 72 includes a speed increase input rotating portion 24A, a speed increase output rotating portion 24B, and an endless annular component 72A. The speed increase input rotating portion 24A of this embodiment is configured to input human driving force through the first speed increaser 70. The speed increase output rotating portion 24B of this embodiment is configured to output human driving force to the wheels 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The endless annular component 72A connects the speed increase input rotating portion 24A and the speed increase output rotating portion 24B.

For example, the speed-increasing input rotating part 24A of the present embodiment includes the driving input rotating part 40, the speed-increasing output rotating part 24B of the present embodiment includes the driving output rotating part 42, and the endless annular component 72A includes the endless annular component 44. In the present embodiment, the input pitch circle diameter X1 of the driving input rotating part 40 is larger than the output pitch circle diameter X2 of the driving output rotating part 42. For example, the driving input rotating part 40, the driving output rotating part 42, and the endless annular component 44 constitute the second speed-increasing machine 72.

The second speed increaser 72 includes at least one speed increaser mechanism 72B of a chain type and a belt type. The second speed increaser 72 includes, for example, a chain type speed increaser mechanism 72B. For example, the speed increaser input rotating part 24A includes a first sprocket. For example, the speed increaser output rotating part 24B includes a second sprocket. For example, the endless annular member 44 includes a chain.

The speed-increasing input rotating part 24A has a rotation axis center axis A12. The rotation axis center axis A12 is substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. At least a portion of the first speed-increasing gearbox 70 is arranged radially inward of the speed-increasing input rotating part 24A with respect to the rotation axis center axis A12. When viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation axis center axis A12, the first speed-increasing gearbox 70 is arranged radially inward of the speed-increasing input rotating part 24A.

The speed-increasing input rotating portion 24A is configured to be rotatable around the first speed-increasing rotation center axis A13. The speed-increasing output rotating portion 24B is configured to be rotatable around the second speed-increasing rotation center axis A14. For example, the speed-increasing input rotating portion 24A has an input mounting portion 74. The input mounting portion 74, for example, can be mounted with an input rotating body 76 that can rotate around the first speed-increasing rotation center axis A13. The input rotating body 76, for example, includes the drive input rotating portion 40. The input rotating body 76, for example, includes the speed-increasing input rotating portion 24A. For example, the speed-increasing output rotating portion 24B has an output mounting portion 78. The output mounting portion 78, for example, can be mounted with an output rotating body 80 that can rotate around the second speed-increasing rotation center axis A14. The output rotor 80 includes, for example, a driving output rotor 42. The output rotor 80 includes, for example, a speed-increasing output rotor 24B. For example, the output mounting portion 78 has the same shape as the input mounting portion 74. Since the output mounting portion 78 has the same shape as the input mounting portion 74, the input mounting portion 74 is configured to mount the output rotor 80 on the input mounting portion 74 in such a manner that the output rotor 80 can rotate around the first speed-increasing rotation center axis A13. Since the input mounting portion 74 has the same shape as the output mounting portion 78, the output mounting portion 78 is configured to mount the input rotor 76 on the output mounting portion 78 in such a manner that the input rotor 76 can rotate around the second speed-increasing rotation center axis A14.

The speed ratio of the speed increaser 24 corresponds to the speed ratio of the first speed increaser 70 and the second speed increaser 72, for example. The speed ratio of the first speed increaser 70 and the second speed increaser 72 is, for example, the multiplication value of the speed ratio of the first speed increaser 70 and the speed ratio of the second speed increaser 72. The speed ratio of the first speed increaser 70 and the second speed increaser 72 is, for example, 3 or more and 20 or less. The speed ratio of the first speed increaser 70 and the second speed increaser 72 is, for example, 5 or more and 18 or less. The speed ratio of the first speed increaser 70 and the second speed increaser 72 is, for example, 7 or more and 16 or less. The speed ratio of the first speed increaser 70 and the second speed increaser 72 is, for example, 9 or more and 14 or less.

<Modifications> The descriptions of each implementation form are examples of the forms that the drive system for a human-powered vehicle and the drive unit for a human-powered vehicle according to the present disclosure can take, and are not intended to limit the forms. The drive system for a human-powered vehicle and the drive unit for a human-powered vehicle according to the present disclosure can take forms that combine the modification examples of each implementation form shown below and at least two non-contradictory modification examples. In the following modification examples, for the parts that are common to the implementation form, the same symbols as the implementation form are marked and their descriptions are omitted.

・At least one of the minimum speed ratio and the maximum speed ratio of the transmission 30 may be appropriately changed. For example, the minimum speed ratio may be greater than 1. For example, the maximum speed ratio of the transmission 30 may be less than 1. For example, the speed ratio of the transmission 30 may be configured to include 1. For example, the minimum speed ratio may be 1, and the maximum speed ratio may be 2.6.

If the endless ring-shaped member 44 can connect the drive input rotating part 40 and the drive output rotating part 42, the drive input rotating part 40 can include a pulley, the drive output rotating part 42 can include a pulley, and the endless ring-shaped member 44 can include a belt.

・In the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, the combined force part 52 may also be arranged between the speed increaser 24 and the speed changer 30. For example, the combined force part 52 shown in FIG. 15 is configured to combine the motor driving force of the motor 28 with the human-powered driving force and output it to the speed changer 30. The combined force part 52 is configured to receive the human-powered driving force from the speed increaser output rotating part 24B and output the human-powered driving force to the speed changer input rotating part 30A. The combined force part 52 is configured to receive the motor driving force from the motor speed reducer 32 and output the motor driving force to the speed changer input rotating part 30A. In this modification, the motor reducer 32, the combined force part 52, the transmission 30, the speed reducer 34, and the output rotary part 26 constitute a part of the transmission path of the motor drive force. In this modification, the motor drive force of the motor 28 is sequentially transmitted to the motor reducer 32, the combined force part 52, the speed reducer 34, and output to the wheel 14.

In the first embodiment, the drive unit 50 may not include the motor 28 and the motor speed reducer 32. For example, the combined force portion 52 shown in FIG. 16 is configured to receive only the human driving force. In this modification, the combined force portion 52 may be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the input rotating part 22, the speed increasing gear 24, the output rotating part 26, and the motor 28 may be disposed in the housing 36. When the input rotating part 22, the speed increasing gear 24, the output rotating part 26, and the motor 28 are disposed in the housing 36, the output rotating part 26 may also include a driving input rotating part 40.

・In the first embodiment, the drive unit 50 may also be disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 17 , the drive unit 50 further includes a wheel hub shell 38. The drive unit 50 includes, for example, an output rotating portion 26. The output rotating portion 26 of this modification example is the wheel hub shell 38. The housing 36 of this modification example includes the wheel hub shell 38. The speed increaser 24, the motor 28, the speed changer 30, and the motor speed reducer 32 of this modification example are disposed in an additional housing 70A. At least a portion of the speed reducer 34 of this modification example is arranged in the internal space of the wheel hub shell 38. For example, the speed reducer 34 includes a planetary gear mechanism 68. The planetary gear mechanism 68 is arranged in the inner space of the wheel hub outer shell 38. The speed reducer 34 of this modification example has a speed reduction rotation center axis A11, a speed reduction input rotating part 34A, and a speed reduction output rotating part 34B. For example, the speed reduction rotation center axis A11 is substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3 of the axle 12. The speed reduction input rotating part 34A can rotate around the speed reduction rotation center axis A11. The speed reduction output rotating part 34B can rotate around the speed reduction rotation center axis A11. The speed reduction rotation center axis A11 is substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3. For example, the transmission 30 is configured to output the human driving force to the input rotating portion 22. The input rotating portion 22 includes a drive output rotating portion 42, for example.

・In the third embodiment, the speed reducer 34 may also be disposed on the wheel hub housing 38. For example, as shown in FIG. 18 , the speed reducer 34 is at least partially disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The speed reducer 34 has a speed reduction rotation center axis A11, a speed reduction input rotating portion 34A, and a speed reduction output rotating portion 34B. The speed reduction input rotating portion 34A may, for example, rotate around the speed reduction rotation center axis A11. The speed reduction output rotating portion 34B may, for example, rotate around the speed reduction rotation center axis A11. The speed reduction rotation center axis A11 is substantially coaxial with the rotation center axis C3. In this modification, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are different from the speed-reducing rotation center axis A11. For example, three or more substantially coaxial axes among the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, the speed-reducing rotation center axis A11, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1. In this modification, the speed-increasing rotation center axis A1, the speed-changing rotation center axis A4, and the motor rotation axis A5 are substantially coaxial with the input center axis C1.

In the fifth embodiment, for example, the speed-increasing input rotating part 24A may include a first pulley, the speed-increasing output rotating part 24B may include a second pulley, and the endless ring member 72A may include a belt. The second speed-increasing machine 72 may also include a belt-type speed-increasing mechanism.

・In the fifth embodiment, the speed increaser 24 may not include the first speed increaser 70. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the speed increaser 24 includes a speed increaser input portion 24C, a speed increaser output portion 24D, and an endless annular member 44. The speed increaser input portion 24C of the present embodiment is configured to be input with human driving force via an input rotating shaft 54. The speed increaser input portion 24C includes a sprocket 82 and one of a pulley. The speed increaser output portion 24D includes a sprocket 82 and one of a pulley. For example, the sprocket 82 and one of the pulleys is a sprocket 82. The sprocket 82 and one of the pulleys have a plurality of teeth. The sprocket 82 has a plurality of teeth. The number of the plurality of teeth is, for example, less than 10. The number of the plurality of teeth is, for example, less than 9. The number of the plurality of teeth is, for example, 9. The pitch circle diameter X3 of one of the sprocket 82 and the pulley is, for example, 38 mm or less. The pitch circle diameter X3 of the sprocket 82 is, for example, 38 mm or less. An example of the sprocket 82 having the plurality of teeth of 10 or less and the pitch circle diameter X3 of 38 mm or less is, for example, the drive input rotating portion 40 of FIG. 2 .

In the fifth embodiment, the speed increaser 24 may not include the first speed increaser 70 and the motor 28. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 , the drive unit 50 may not include the motor 28 and the motor speed reducer 32. The combined force portion 52 of the modification is configured to receive only the human power driving force.

If the drive unit 50 is disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10, and comprises: an input rotating portion 22 configured to receive human-powered driving force; an output rotating portion 26 configured to receive human-powered driving force via the input rotating portion 22 and output human-powered driving force to the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10; and a speed reducer 34 disposed between the input rotating portion 22 and the output rotating portion 26 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force; and the speed reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is greater than 0 and less than 0.65, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, the transmission order of the human driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately changed.

If the drive unit 50 is disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10, and comprises: a speed increaser 24 configured to receive human-powered driving force; a transmission 30 configured to have a plurality of speed change stages and to receive human-powered driving force via the speed increaser 24; and a speed reducer 34 configured to receive human-powered driving force via the transmission 30, then other components may be omitted.

・If the drive unit 50 includes: a speed increaser 24 configured to receive human-powered driving force; and a transmission 30 configured to have a plurality of speed change levels and to receive human-powered driving force via the speed increaser 24; and the speed increase ratio of the speed increaser 24 is greater than 3 and less than 11, then other components may be omitted. In this modified example, if the transmission 30 is provided downstream of the speed increaser 24 in the transmission path of human-powered driving force, then the transmission order of the human-powered driving force in the speed increaser 24, the transmission 30, and the speed reduction 34 may be appropriately changed.

If the drive unit 50 has a speed increaser 24 configured to receive human-powered driving force, the speed increaser 24 includes a speed increaser input rotary part 24A configured to receive human-powered driving force, and a speed increaser output rotary part 24B configured to output human-powered driving force, the speed increaser input rotary part 24A has a speed increaser input rotary shaft A2, and the speed increaser output rotary part 24B has a speed increaser output rotary shaft A3 coaxially arranged with the speed increaser input rotary shaft A2, and the speed increaser 24 has a speed increaser ratio of 3 or more and 20 or less, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, the order of transmitting the human-powered driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 may also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive unit 50 is provided with a motor 28 configured to impart propulsion to the human-driven vehicle 10, and a motor reducer 32 configured to output the motor driving force input from the motor 28 to the transmission path of the human-driven force, and the motor reduction ratio of the motor reducer 32 is greater than 0.125 and less than 1, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, the transmission order of the human-driven force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reductionr 34 may also be appropriately changed. In this modification example, if the motor driving force is combined on the downstream side of the speed increaser 24, the structure of the combined force portion 52 of the motor driving force and the human-driven force may also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive system 20 includes: an input rotary part 22 configured to receive human-powered driving force; a speed increasing machine 24 configured to receive human-powered driving force via the input rotary part 22; an output rotary part 26 configured to receive human-powered driving force via the speed increasing machine 24; and a motor 28 configured to provide propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle 10; and the motor 28 is configured to output the motor-powered driving force between the speed increasing machine 24 and the output rotary part 26 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, and the speed increasing ratio of the speed increasing machine 24 is greater than 3 and less than 20, then other components may be omitted. In this modified example, the transmission order of the human-powered driving force in the speed increasing machine 24, the speed change machine 30, and the speed reduction machine 34 may also be appropriately changed. In this modification example, if the motor driving force forms a combined force on the downstream side of the speed increaser 24 in the transmission path of the human driving force, the structure of the combined force portion 52 of the motor driving force and the human driving force can also be appropriately modified.

If the drive system 20 includes: an input rotating portion 22 configured to receive human-powered driving force; a speed increasing gear 24 configured to receive human-powered driving force via the input rotating portion 22; a speed reducing gear 34 configured to receive human-powered driving force via the speed increasing gear 24; and a motor 28 configured to provide propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle 10; and the motor 28 is configured to output the motor-powered driving force between the speed increasing gear 24 and the speed reducing gear 34 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, if a speed reducer 34 is provided on the downstream side of the speed increaser 24 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, the transmission order of the human-powered driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately modified.

・If the drive system 20 includes: a motor 28 configured to provide a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle 10; and a speed reducer 34 configured to receive a motor driving force from the motor 28 and receive a human-powered driving force; and the speed reduction ratio of the speed reducer 34 is greater than 0 and less than 1, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, the order of transmitting the human-powered driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 may also be appropriately modified. In this modification example, if the motor driving force forms a combined force on the upstream side of the speed reducer 34 in the transmission path of the human driving force, the structure of the combined force portion 52 of the motor driving force and the human driving force can also be appropriately modified.

・If the drive unit 50 includes: a housing 36; a speed increaser 24, which is arranged in the housing 36 and is input with human power; a transmission 30, which is arranged in the housing 36 and has a plurality of speed change levels, and is input with human power through the speed increaser 24; and a motor 28, which is configured to provide a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle 10; and the speed increaser 24 has a speed increase rotation center axis A1, a speed increase input rotating portion 24A that can rotate around the speed increase rotation center axis A1, and The speed increasing output rotating part 24B can rotate around the speed increasing rotating center axis A1, the speed changer 30 has a speed changing rotating center axis A4, a speed changing input rotating part 30A can rotate around the speed changing rotating center axis A4, and a speed changing output rotating part 30B can rotate around the speed changing rotating center axis A4, the motor 28 includes a motor rotating axis A5, the speed increasing rotating center axis A1, the speed changing rotating center axis A4, and the motor rotating axis A5 are substantially coaxial, and other structures can also be omitted. In this modification, if a speed changer 30 is provided downstream of the speed increaser 24 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, the transmission sequence of the human-powered driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately changed. In this modification, the composition of the combined force portion 52 of the motor-powered driving force and the human-powered driving force can also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive unit 50 includes: a housing 36; a speed increaser 24, which is arranged in the housing 36 and is input with human power; a transmission 30, which is arranged in the housing 36 and has a plurality of speed change levels, and is input with human power via the speed increaser 24; a reduction gear 34, which is arranged in the housing 36 and is input with human power via the transmission 30; and a motor 28, which is configured to provide a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle 10; and the speed increaser 24 has a speed increase rotation center axis A1, a speed increase input rotating part 24A that can rotate around the speed increase rotation center axis A1, and a speed increase output rotating part 24B that can rotate around the speed increase rotation center axis A1, the speed increaser 24 has a speed increase rotation center axis A1, a speed increase input rotating part 24A that can rotate around the speed increase rotation center axis A1, and a speed increase output rotating part 24B that can rotate around the speed increase rotation center axis A1, The gearbox 30 has a speed change rotation center axis A4, a speed change input rotation part 30A that can rotate around the speed change rotation center axis A4, and a speed change output rotation part 30B that can rotate around the speed change rotation center axis A4. The speed reducer 34 has a speed reduction rotation center axis A11, a speed reduction input rotation part 30B that can rotate around the speed reduction rotation center axis A11, and a speed reduction output rotation part 30A that can rotate around the speed change rotation center axis A4. 4A, and a speed reduction output rotating portion 34B that can rotate around the speed reduction rotating center axis A11, the motor 28 includes the motor rotating axis A5, the speed increase rotating center axis A1, the speed change rotating center axis A4, the speed reduction rotating center axis A11, and the motor rotating axis A5. If three or more of them are substantially coaxial, other components can be omitted. In this modified example, the composition of the combined force portion 52 of the motor driving force and the human driving force can also be appropriately changed.

If the drive system 20 has a speed increaser 24, the speed increaser 24 includes: a speed increaser input rotary part 24A, which is configured to receive human power through an input rotary shaft 54 to which human power is input; a speed increaser output rotary part 24B, which is configured to output human power to the wheels 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10; and an endless annular member 72A, which connects the speed increaser input rotary part 24A and the speed increaser output rotary part 24B; and the speed increase ratio of the speed increaser 24 is greater than 3 and less than 20, then other components may be omitted. In this modified example, the order of transmitting the human power in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 may also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive system 20 includes: a first speed increaser 70, which is configured to receive human power through the input rotary shaft 54 to which the human power is input; and a second speed increaser 72, which is configured to receive human power through the first speed increaser 70; and the second speed increaser 72 includes: a speed increaser input rotary portion 24A, which is configured to receive human power through the first speed increaser 70 and has a rotary shaft center axis A12; a speed increaser output rotary portion 24 B, which is configured to output human-powered driving force to the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10; and an endless annular member 72A, which connects the speed-input rotating part 24A and the speed-input output rotating part 24B; and at least a portion of the first speed-increasing gear 70 is arranged on the radial inner side of the speed-input rotating part 24A relative to the rotation axis center axis A12, and the speed ratio of the first speed-increasing gear 70 and the second speed-increasing gear 72 is greater than 3 and less than 20, and other structures can also be omitted. In this modified example, if the second speed-increasing gear 72 is set downstream of the first speed-increasing gear 70 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, the transmission order of the human-powered driving force in the first speed-increasing gear 70, the second speed-increasing gear 72, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately changed.

If the drive system 20 is provided with a speed increasing machine 24, the speed increasing machine 24 includes: a speed increasing input portion 24C configured to receive human driving force via an input rotating shaft 54 to which human driving force is input; a speed increasing output portion 24D configured to output human driving force to the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10; and an endless annular member 72A connecting the speed increasing input portion 24C and the speed increasing output portion 24D; and the speed increasing output portion 24D includes a sprocket 82 and one of a pulley, and one of the sprocket 82 and the pulley has a plurality of teeth, and the number of the plurality of teeth is less than 10, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, the transmission order of the human driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive system 20 includes: a drive input rotating portion 40, which has a single pitch circle into which the human-powered driving force is input via an input rotating shaft 54 into which the human-powered driving force is input; a drive output rotating portion 42, which has a single pitch circle for outputting the human-powered driving force to the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10; and an endless annular member 44 that connects the drive input rotating portion 40 and the drive output rotating portion 42; and the pitch circle ratio of the input pitch circle diameter X1 of the drive input rotating portion 40 to the output pitch circle diameter X2 of the drive output rotating portion 42 is greater than 0 and less than 1, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, the transmission order of the human driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive unit 50 has a speed changer 30 disposed on a transmission path of human-driven force, the speed changer 30 has at least four speed stages, the speed changer 30 has a speed change rotation center axis A4, a speed change input rotating portion 30A rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis A4, and a speed change output rotating portion 30B rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis A4, the maximum dimension Y1 of the speed changer 30 in a direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension Y2 of the speed changer 30 in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is less than 30 mm, then other structures may be omitted. In this modification example, the transmission order of the human driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive unit 50 includes: a housing 36, which is configured to support an input rotating shaft 54 to which human driving force is input; and a transmission 30, which is arranged in the housing 36 and is configured to receive human driving force via the input rotating shaft 54; the transmission 30 has a speed change rotation center axis A4, a speed change input rotating portion 30A rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis A4, and a speed change output rotating portion 30B rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis A4, and the maximum dimension Y1 of the speed change 30 in a direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension Y2 of the speed change 30 in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is less than 30 mm, then other structures may also be omitted. In this modification example, the transmission order of the human driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive unit 50 has a transmission 30 disposed in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, the transmission 30 includes a first planetary assembly 62 and a second planetary assembly 64 connected to the first planetary assembly 62, the first planetary assembly 62 and the second planetary assembly 64 have a common speed change rotation center axis A4, the maximum dimension Y1 of the transmission 30 in the direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension Y2 of the transmission 30 in the direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis A4 is less than 30 mm, then other components may be omitted. In this modified example, the transmission order of the human-powered driving force in the speed increaser 24, the transmission 30, and the speed reducer 34 may also be appropriately changed.

・If the drive unit 50 is disposed on the axle 12 of the wheel 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10 and has a plurality of speed stages, it includes: a transmission 30, which is configured to be disposed on the transmission path of the human-powered driving force and to change the speed ratio of the human-powered vehicle 10; a reduction gear 34, which is configured to receive the human-powered driving force through the transmission gear 30; and an output rotating portion 26, which is configured to be connected to the wheel 14 and output the human-powered driving force input from the reduction gear 34 to the wheel 14; and the speed reduction ratio of the reduction gear 34 is greater than 0 and less than 1, then other components may be omitted. In this modification example, if a speed reducer 34 is provided downstream of the speed changer 30 in the transmission path of the human-powered driving force, the transmission order of the human-powered driving force in the speed increaser 24, the speed changer 30, and the speed reducer 34 can also be appropriately modified.

・The drive unit 50 of each embodiment of the motor 28 may also include a control device configured to control the motor 28. The control device is, for example, housed in the housing 36. The control device includes an operation processing device that executes a predetermined control program. The operation processing device includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control device further includes, for example, an inverter circuit controlled by the operation processing device. The inverter circuit is electrically connected to the operation processing device and the motor. The drive unit 50 of each embodiment of the motor 28 may also further include a torque sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the human drive force input to the crankshaft 16. The control device is configured to control the motor 28 based on the detection result of the torque sensor, for example. The control method of the motor 28 of the control device can use various control methods, and is not particularly limited. As the torque sensor, a well-known sensor such as a strain gauge or a magnetostrictive sensor can be used, so the detailed description of the torque sensor is omitted. The torque sensor can be set in the input transmission part 22A, or can be set in a pair of crank arms 16A.

The expression "at least 1" used in this specification means "one or more" of the desired options. For example, if the number of options is 2, the expression "at least 1" used in this specification means "only one option" or "both of the two options". For another example, if the number of options is 3 or more, the expression "at least 1" used in this specification means "only one option" or "a combination of two or more options".

3-3: Line 10: Human-powered vehicle 10F: Frame 12: Axle 14: Wheel 16: Crankshaft 16A: Crank arm 16B: Pedal 20: Drive system 22: Input rotating part 22A: Input transmission part 22B: First one-way clutch 24: Speed increaser 24A: Speed increase input rotating part 24B: Speed increase output rotating part 24C: Speed increase input part 24D: Speed increase output part 24X: Planetary gear mechanism 26: Output rotating part 28: Motor 28A: Motor rotating shaft 30: Speed changer 30A: Speed change input rotating part 30B: Speed change output rotating part 30C: Speed change input part 30D: Speed change output part 30X: Planetary gear mechanism 30Y: Speed change switching part 32: Motor reducer 32A: Motor reducer input rotating part 32B: Motor reducer output rotating part 32X: Motor reducer mechanism 34: Reducer 34A: Reducer input rotating part 34B: Reducer output rotating part 36: Housing 38: Wheel hub housing 40: Drive input rotating part 42: Drive output rotating part 44: Endless annular member 46: Rear wheel hub 50: Drive unit 52: Combined force part 52A: 2nd one-way clutch 54: Input rotating shaft 56: Additional shaft 58: Planetary gear mechanism 60: Speed change output section 62: 1st planetary assembly 62A: 1st sun gear 62B: 1st ring gear 62C: 1st planetary gear 62D: 1st gear carrier 64: 2nd planetary assembly 64A: 2nd sun gear 64B: 2nd ring gear 64C: 2nd planetary gear 64D: 2nd gear carrier 66: Speed change switching section 68: Planetary gear mechanism 70: 1st speed increaser 70A: Additional housing 70B: Speed increasing mechanism 72: Second speed increasing machine 72A: Endless ring member 72B: Speed increasing mechanism 74: Input mounting part 76: Input rotating body 78: Output mounting part 80: Output rotating body 82: Sprocket A1: Speed increasing rotation center axis A2: Speed increasing input rotation axis A3: Speed increasing output rotation axis A4: Speed changing rotation center axis A5: Motor rotation axis A6: Motor deceleration center axis A7: First deceleration center axis A8: Second deceleration center axis A9: First drive rotation center axis A10: Second drive rotation center axis A11: Deceleration rotation center axis A12: Rotation axis center axis A13: 1st acceleration rotation center axis A14: 2nd acceleration rotation center axis B1: 1st axis B2: 2nd axis B3: 3rd axis B4: 4th axis C1: Input center axis C2: Additional center axis C3: Rotation center axis X1: Input pitch circle diameter X2: Output pitch circle diameter X3: Pitch circle diameter Y1: Maximum size Y2: Maximum size

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a human-driven vehicle including a driving system for a human-driven vehicle and a driving unit for a human-driven vehicle of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the driving mechanism of the human-driven vehicle of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of the driving unit for the human-driven vehicle of FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the transmission path of the human-driven force and the motor-driven force of the human-driven vehicle of FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a first table showing a configuration example of the driving system for the human-driven vehicle of FIG. 1 and the driving unit for the human-driven vehicle. FIG. 6 is a second table showing a configuration example of the drive system for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 and the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle. FIG. 7 is a third table showing a configuration example of the drive system for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 and the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle. FIG. 8 is a fourth table showing a configuration example of the drive system for the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 1 and the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a human-powered vehicle including a drive system for the human-powered vehicle of the second embodiment and a drive unit for the human-powered vehicle. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a transmission of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a human-powered vehicle including a driving system for a human-powered vehicle of the third embodiment and a driving unit for a human-powered vehicle. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a human-powered vehicle including a driving system for a human-powered vehicle of the fourth embodiment and a driving unit for a human-powered vehicle. FIG. 13 is a side view of a driving mechanism of a human-powered vehicle including a driving system for a human-powered vehicle of the fifth embodiment and a driving unit for a human-powered vehicle. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the human-powered vehicle of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the transmission path of the human-driven force and the motor-driven force of the human-driven vehicle of the first modification. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a human-driven vehicle including a driving system for a human-driven vehicle of the second modification and a driving unit for a human-driven vehicle. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a human-driven vehicle including a driving system for a human-driven vehicle of the third modification and a driving unit for a human-driven vehicle. FIG. 18 is a side view of a driving mechanism of a human-driven vehicle including a driving system for a human-driven vehicle of the fourth modification and a driving unit for a human-driven vehicle. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a human-powered vehicle including a driving system for a human-powered vehicle according to the fifth modification and a driving unit for a human-powered vehicle. FIG. 20 is a side view of a driving mechanism of a human-powered vehicle including a driving system for a human-powered vehicle according to the sixth modification and a driving unit for a human-powered vehicle.

30: Speed changer

50: Drive unit

56:Add axis

58: Planetary gear mechanism

60: Variable speed output unit

62: 1st planet assembly

62A: 1st sun gear

62B: 1st ring gear

62C: 1st planetary gear

62D: 1st gear carrier

64: Second planet assembly

64A: 2nd sun gear

64B: 2nd ring gear

64C: 2nd planetary gear

64D: 2nd gear carrier

66: Speed switching unit

A4: Variable speed rotation center axis

C2: Add center axis

Y1: Maximum size

Y2: Maximum size

Claims (20)

A drive unit for a human-driven vehicle, comprising: a transmission arranged in a transmission path of human-driven driving force; and the transmission has at least 4 speed levels; the transmission has: a speed change rotation center axis; a speed change input rotating part rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis; and a speed change output rotating part rotatable around the speed change rotation center axis; and the maximum dimension of the transmission in a direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension of the transmission in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 30 mm. A drive unit for a human-powered vehicle comprises: a housing configured to support an input rotary shaft to which human-powered driving force is input; and a transmission disposed in the housing and configured to receive the human-powered driving force via the input rotary shaft; and the transmission has: a transmission rotation center axis; a transmission input rotary portion rotatable about the transmission rotation center axis; and a transmission output rotary portion rotatable about the transmission rotation center axis; and the maximum dimension of the transmission in a direction perpendicular to the transmission rotation center axis is less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension of the transmission in a direction parallel to the transmission rotation center axis is less than 30 mm. A drive unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the speed changer comprises a planetary gear mechanism. The drive unit of claim 3, wherein the planetary gear mechanism comprises a first planetary assembly and a second planetary assembly connected to the first planetary assembly; the second planetary assembly is arranged at a position different from the first planetary assembly in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis. A drive unit for a human-driven vehicle, comprising: A transmission arranged in a transmission path of human-driven driving force; and The transmission comprises a first planetary assembly and a second planetary assembly connected to the first planetary assembly; The first planetary assembly and the second planetary assembly have a common speed change rotation center axis; The maximum dimension of the transmission in a direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 80 mm, and the maximum dimension of the transmission in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 30 mm. A drive unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the maximum dimension of the speed changer in a direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 70 mm. As in the drive unit of claim 6, the maximum dimension of the speed changer in a direction perpendicular to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 60 mm. A drive unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the maximum dimension of the speed changer in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 20 mm. A drive unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the maximum dimension of the speed changer in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 10 mm. As in the drive unit of claim 9, the maximum dimension of the speed changer in a direction parallel to the speed change rotation center axis is less than 6 mm. A drive unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission has a plurality of gears; At least a portion of the plurality of gears comprises a resin component. A drive unit, which is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, comprises: A transmission having a plurality of speed stages and arranged in a transmission path of human-powered driving force; and The transmission comprises a planetary gear mechanism having a plurality of gears; At least a portion of the plurality of gears comprises a resin member. A drive unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the resin component comprises at least one of a thermoplastic component and a thermosetting component. A drive unit for a human-powered vehicle disposed on an axle of a wheel of the human-powered vehicle, comprising: a transmission having a plurality of speed change levels, disposed on a transmission path of human-powered driving force, and configured to change the speed ratio of the human-powered vehicle; a reducer configured to receive the human-powered driving force via the transmission; and an output rotating portion connected to the wheel, configured to output the human-powered driving force input from the reducer to the wheel; and the reduction ratio of the reducer is greater than 0 and less than 1. The drive unit of claim 14 has a wheel hub shell; and at least a portion of the above-mentioned speed reducer is arranged in the internal space of the above-mentioned wheel hub shell. The drive unit of claim 14, wherein the transmission comprises: a transmission input portion configured to be input with the human-powered driving force; and a transmission output portion configured to output the human-powered driving force; and the transmission ratio is the ratio of the rotational speed of the transmission output portion to the rotational speed of the transmission input portion; the transmission is configured to change the transmission ratio between a minimum transmission ratio and a maximum transmission ratio; the minimum transmission ratio is the transmission ratio corresponding to a deceleration; the maximum transmission ratio is the transmission ratio corresponding to an increase in speed. A drive unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plurality of speed shifting levels include more than three speed shifting levels. A drive unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the above-mentioned reduction ratio is greater than 0 and less than 0.8. As in the drive unit of claim 18, wherein the above-mentioned reduction ratio is greater than 0.05 and less than 0.5. As in the drive unit of claim 19, wherein the above-mentioned reduction ratio is greater than 0.1 and less than 0.2.