JPH11208552A - Electric bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric bicycle capable of certainly installing a battery case, simple in constitution and safe. SOLUTION: A detection means to detect installation of a battery case 10 to a main frame 2 storing a battery to supply an electric power source to a driving part 1 and installed adjacent to a main frame 2 and a fixing means to fix the battery case 10 on the main frame 2 are provided, and fixture by the fixing means can be carried out only at the time when the detection means detects installation of the battery case 10. Additionally, the fixing means is interlocked with an electric power switch.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric bicycle using the power of an electric motor (motor) for assisting in manual driving. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric bicycle having an improved structure for mounting a battery case in which a battery for driving a motor is stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electric bicycle, a wheel driving motor for assisting manual driving is mounted, and a battery for driving the motor is mounted on the bicycle.
This battery does not get in the way of the bed,
In addition, it must be installed so that it does not interfere with pedaling during running. As a mounting structure of such a battery case, for example, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, a structure in which a battery case 110 containing a battery is mounted on a main pipe (down tube) 103 which is a main frame of a bicycle is known. ing.

FIG. 9 is a side view of such an electric bicycle.
FIG. 10 shows a battery case 110 attached to the main pipe 103.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the vicinity of the key box 130 in a state where the mounting brackets 181 and 182 are fixed to the main pipe for mounting the battery case 110 to the main pipe 103, and FIG. 12 is a key box. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. That is, in this example, as shown in FIG. 11, a key box 130 for fixing one end of the battery case 110 to the main pipe 103, and a terminal block 183.
And a mounting bracket (not shown) for fixing the other end of the battery case 110 are fixed by welding or the like, and the other end of the battery case 110 is inserted and fixed in the mounting bracket. The part has a structure in which the pin 133 of the key box 130 can be attached and detached by insertion and extraction. Insertion and withdrawal of the pin 130 are performed by a user's operation using a key 131 mounted on the key box 130 and rotatably provided.
By turning the key 131, the power can be turned on and off in order from the attachment / detachment position of the battery case 110. At this time, the position of the pin 130 is such that the pin 130 is
The battery case 110 cannot be removed in a state where the battery case 110 is inserted. Further, the turning of the key 131 from the power-on to the attaching / detaching position is regulated by the stopper pin 144. When the key 131 is turned to the attaching / detaching position, the user operates the stopper pin 144 to operate the key 131. 13
This is performed after the restriction of the rotation of 1 is released.

[0004] In FIG. 12, reference numeral 101 denotes a driving unit having a built-in electric motor, a speed reduction mechanism, a torque sensor, and the like.
02 is a vertical pipe to which the saddle 106 is attached, 104
Is a head pipe to which the handle 105 is attached, 11
Reference numeral 9 denotes a frame cover that covers the key box 130 and the mounting brackets 181 and 182. In FIG.
Denotes a hanger rack for fixing a root portion between the standing pipe 102 and the main pipe 103, and 108 denotes a reinforcing plate for reinforcing a fixing portion between the standing pipe 102 and the main pipe 103.

In an electric bicycle in which the battery case 110 is attached to the main pipe 103 having the above structure, the key box 130 is used to fix the battery case 110.
Can be prevented by inserting the pins 133 into the holes on the battery case 110 side.
Even if the user does not wear the device 10, the user can operate the stopper pin 144 to rotate the key 131 to insert and remove the pin 133. That is, with such a structure, even if the battery case 110 is not securely attached, the user can turn the power on and off by operating the key 131, and the user can remove the battery case 110. When the user turns the key 131 with the intention of mounting the battery and starts running, the battery case 110 may fall off the main pipe 103, which is very dangerous.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a safe electric bicycle with a simple structure in which a battery case can be securely mounted and fixed. And

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electric bicycle according to the present invention includes a driving unit for driving wheels, a battery for supplying power to the driving unit, and a battery case which houses the battery and is mounted close to a main frame. With
Detecting means for detecting the mounting of the battery case to the main frame, and fixing means for fixing the battery case to the main frame are provided, and the fixing means is used only when the detecting means detects the mounting of the battery case. It is characterized in that it can be fixed.

Therefore, when the battery case is mounted on the main frame, the detecting means does not detect the mounting of the battery case until the battery case is securely mounted, and the mounting of the battery case by the fixing means is impossible. . However, when the battery case is securely mounted on the main frame, the mounting of the battery case by the fixing means becomes possible.

Further, the detecting means includes an elastic body for urging the battery case in a non-mounting direction, and the elastic body has an elastic force stronger than the weight of the battery case. Features.

[0010] That is, the battery case cannot be fixed by simply placing the battery case on the main frame. The fixing means is operated by pressing the battery case by the force of the user and contracting the elastic body in the mounting direction. Become.

Further, the fixing means has a structure for fixing and releasing the battery case by rotating a key inserted into the key box, and is interlocked with a power switch. It is characterized in that it can be energized when fixed.

Therefore, if the attachment of the battery case is uncertain, the circuit is not energized and the battery case is fixed to the main frame by the fixing means and the power is turned on, so that it is safe.

[0013] Further, the battery case is formed with a part to be detected which is in contact with the detecting means, and the detecting means detects the part to be detected.

That is, since it is possible to mechanically detect that the battery case is securely mounted, the safety is high.

And a stopper pin for temporarily preventing the fixing of the battery case by the fixing means.
The stopper pin permits the stopper pin to be fixed to the battery case only when the detecting means detects the attachment of the battery case.

Since the stopper pin temporarily prevents the battery case from being released, the safety when removing the battery case is improved. Also, when installing the battery case, the stopper pin will not operate unless it is securely attached, so it can not be fixed and the power can not be turned on, so it will not run in the non-attached state, so it is safe It is.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an electric bicycle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the electric bicycle according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a drive unit 1 having a built-in electric motor, a speed reduction mechanism, a torque sensor and the like for driving wheels. And a battery case 10 containing a battery for supplying power to the drive unit 1 is provided in the main frame, for example, near the upright pipe 2. The lower end of the battery case 10 is fixed to a mounting table 20 which also serves as a reinforcing plate for reinforcing a joint between the upright pipe 2 and the main pipe 3 as shown in a vertical sectional view in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of 10 is configured to be fixed by a fixing member (fastening fitting 33) of a key box 30 attached to the upright pipe 2.

The battery case 10 includes a battery 12
For example, four units connected in series and one unit packed in one row or four units packed in two lines are arranged and built in, and as shown in FIG. 3, an output terminal unit 14 is formed at the lower end thereof. , A convex portion 10a is formed next to it. Also, on the back side of the upper end, as shown in FIG.
A protrusion 10b is formed, and a cylindrical roller 15 as a sliding portion is attached to the inside by a screw 16 so as to be rotatable. As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation of the key 31 causes the fastening portion 33 a of the fastening member 33, which is a fixing means of the battery case 10, to slide on the roller 15, and the battery case 10 is pulled toward the key box 30. It has a configuration. Furthermore, the battery case 10
An elastic sheet 17 is provided at a portion in contact with the upright pipe 2 at the center of the pipe, so that the upright pipe 2 and the battery case 10 can be firmly fixed without play. Note that the sliding portion need not be the roller 15 but may have an outer shape that slides on the fastening portion 33a, and may be a non-rotating member formed integrally with the battery case 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting table 20 has a flat upper surface, a gate-shaped cross section having side surfaces bent on both sides, and an end of the side surface. The upright pipe 2 and the main pipe 3 are fixed to each other by brazing, welding, or the like, and also serve as a reinforcing plate for reinforcing the hanger rack 5 that joins the upright pipe 2 and the main pipe 3. That is, a reinforcing plate (see 108 in FIG. 10) provided between the standing pipe 2 and the main pipe 3 has a gate-shaped cross section having a flat portion on the upper surface, and the battery case 10 has a flat surface on the flat surface. Is formed so as to be able to be placed.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the battery case 10 is mounted on the mounting table 20, the output terminals 14 (see FIG. 3) of the battery case 10 are connected to the connection pins of the terminal block 22. 23. Further, an LED 25 is provided in front of the mounting table 20.
Is provided so that the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery or the like can be displayed by the amount of the LED that is turned on. Further, the periphery of the mounting table 20 is covered with a frame cover 28 so as not to expose the mounting table 20 and protect the terminal block and the display unit.

The provision of the tongue piece 21 can prevent the battery case 10 from falling forward, which is preferable. In addition, since the terminal block 22 is provided on the mounting table 20, the battery case 10 can be reliably connected using its own weight, and power can be supplied near the driving unit of the electric bicycle, which is preferable. . Further, by providing the display unit 24, there is an advantage that there is no need to separately provide a display space, and that the wiring can be shortened by providing the display unit 24 near the battery. Further, the frame cover 28
Is provided, the mounting table and the terminal block can be protected, and the appearance is beautiful, which is preferable. However, even if these functional parts are not provided,
The mounting structure of the battery case 10 does not hinder.

As shown in FIG. 8, the key box 30 has a fastening member 33, which is a fixing member, fixed to a key station 32 which can be rotated by inserting a key 31, by screws (not shown). An arc-shaped fastening portion 33a having an inner surface formed in a part of the outer periphery of the fastening member 33 is formed in a shape capable of sliding on the outer periphery of the columnar or cylindrical body by rotation, and is provided on the battery case 10. The outer periphery is fitted with the circular sliding portion (the roller 15) (see FIG. 5). A magnet 35 is attached to the clamp 33, and the reed switch is turned on when approaching a reed switch (not shown) mounted on a board (not shown) attached to the board mounting frame 37. It has become. In other words, a fixed amount (one step) of rotation of the key 31 causes the fastening portion 33a of the fastening member 33 to slide into the sliding portion of the battery case 10 to fix the battery case 10, and further rotate by one step to slide. The structure is such that the magnet 35 comes close to the reed switch and the power is turned on while maintaining the combined state.

As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6, an uneven portion 33 is provided on the outer periphery of the fastening member 33 opposite to the fastening portion 33a.
b is formed, and is fitted to a spring piece 43 formed of an elastic body having a shape to fit into the concave portion, and the key 31
Is clicked (there is a rotation for each step). The spring piece 43 is attached to the key stay 42 by a screw. Further, the uneven portion 3
A claw 33c is formed next to 3b, and when the fixing of the battery case 10 is released, the claw 33c abuts on the projecting piece 44a of the stopper pin 44 to prevent the key 31 from rotating. Since the stopper pin 44 is attached to the key stay 42 via a spring 45 as shown in FIG. 8, when the stopper pin 44 is pushed in the S direction, the protruding piece 44a is disengaged from the claw 33c and the key 31 is moved. Can be rotated in the direction of release. That is, when removing the battery case 10, the key 31 is rotated while pressing the stopper pin 44 so that the battery case 10 is not dropped by inadvertently rotating the key 31 in the release direction. Can be removed. This claw 33
c is formed in a twisted shape, and is rotated in the reverse direction, that is, the key 31 when the battery case 10 is mounted.
The structure is such that the stopper pin 44 can be rotated without pushing the stopper pin 44 during rotation.

A pressing member 50, which is a resin detecting means, is provided in contact with the distal end of the stopper pin 44 in the S direction. The pressing member 50 includes a restricting portion 50a that contacts the stopper pin 44, and a battery case. The battery case 10 is formed by a contact portion 50 b which comes into contact with the convex portion 10 c which is a detected portion formed on the battery 10, and is pressed by the mounting of the battery case 10. The pressing member 50 is provided with an elastic spring 51 for urging the pressing member 50 in a direction opposite to the mounting on the battery case 10 side. When the battery case 10 is not mounted, as shown in FIG.
Since it is pushed to the side, the restricting portion 50a and the stopper pin 44 come into contact with each other, so that the stopper pin 44 cannot be pressed by the user. FIG.
When the battery case 10 is in the mounted state as shown in FIG.
c, the contact between the stopper pin 44 and the restricting portion 50a is released, and the operation of the stopper pin 44 becomes possible. The force of the spring 51 for urging the pressing member 50 is set so as not to be reduced only by loading the battery case 10, and the pressing member 50 does not move unless the user presses the battery case 10 in the mounted state. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the key box 30 is fixed by attaching a mounting bracket 41 to the upright pipe 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the key station 32 and the substrate 37 are fixed to the mounting bracket 41, and the key stay 42 for holding the stopper pin 44 and the spring 45 is fixed by screws 46. The mounting bracket 41 is provided with a tongue piece 41a, and is provided so as to be located above the protrusion 10b of the sliding portion of the battery case 10, as shown in FIG. I have. As a result, it is possible to prevent the battery case 10 from deviating upward even when the battery case 10 vibrates vertically. Of course, the lower side of the battery case 10 is held by the mounting table 20.

The other structures such as front wheels, rear wheels, steering wheels, saddles, pedals, chains, and functions such as brakes are the same as those of a normal bicycle and have the same functions. In the above-described example, the battery case is mounted on the vertical pipe. However, the same applies to the case where the battery case is mounted vertically or obliquely when mounted on another main frame such as a main pipe.

Next, the key 31 of the key box 30
The attachment / detachment of the battery case 10 and the on / off operation of the switch by the operation described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the fastening portion 33a of the fastening member 33 is attached to the battery case 1.
The battery case 10 does not slide on the sliding part
The upper part of the battery case 10 is not fixed, and as shown in FIG. 2, the battery case 10 can be removed by tilting the upper part of the battery case 10 forward and pulling it out. Note that, as described above, the battery case 10 cannot be released without pressing the stopper pin 44 in order to release the battery case 10 from the fixed state.

On the other hand, the charged battery case 1
No. 0 is mounted on the mounting table 20 so that the convex portion 10a enters the insertion hole 20a of the mounting table 20, the upper part is brought into close contact with the upright pipe 2, and the key 31 is rotated to tighten the tightening bracket 33. The portion 33a slides on the sliding portion 15 of the battery case 10, and the fastener 33 is rotated to the state shown in FIG. 4, whereby the upper portion of the battery case 10 is fixed and the switch is turned on. Further, when the fastening bracket 33 is rotated by rotating the key 31, the switch is turned off.

The case where the battery case 10 is mounted will be described. When the battery case 10 is removed by charging or the like, the position of the key 31 is in a state of turning right as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the stopper pin 44 and the regulating portion 50a of the pressing member 50 are provided.
And the stopper pin 44 cannot be pressed. Then, the battery case 10 is attached, and the battery case 10 is
Is pressed, the contact portion 50b is pressed by the convex portion 10c, and the pressing member 50 is pressed entirely upward in the drawing.
The contact between the stopper pin 44a and the stopper pin 44 is released, and the stopper pin 44 can be pressed by the user. As a result, the key 31 cannot rotate unless the battery case 10 is securely mounted, that is, power cannot be supplied from the battery.

As described above, the output terminal 14 of the battery case 10 is located at the lower end, and in the battery case 10 fixed above, power may be supplied even if it is not fixed by the fixing means. In this embodiment, the pressing member 50 achieves the purpose.

In the electric bicycle according to the present invention, detecting means for detecting the attachment of the battery case 10 to the main frame 3, that is, the pressing member 50, and fixing means for fixing the battery case 10 to the main frame 3, that is, the fastener 33. The fixing by the fastening member 33 is enabled only when the pressing member 50 detects the mounting of the battery case 10. Therefore, the pressing member 50 can be fixed until the battery case 10 is securely mounted. Is not detected, the battery case 10 cannot be mounted by the fasteners 33, and the vehicle does not run with insufficient mounting, which is safe.

The pressing member 50 is provided with a spring 51 which is an elastic body for urging the battery case 10 in the non-mounting direction.
Since the elastic force is greater than the weight of the battery case 10, the battery case 10 is fixed only when the user intends to mount the battery case 10. Is secure because it is not fixed.

Further, the fastener 33 is linked to a power switch, and the battery case 1 is operated by the fastener 33.
When the battery case 10 is uncertain, the circuit is not energized when the battery case 10 is uncertain, and the power is turned off after the battery case 10 is fixed to the main frame 3 by the fasteners 33. It's safe to enter.

Also, since the battery case 10 is formed with a convex portion 10c which is a detected portion which comes into contact with the contact portion 50b formed on the pressing member 50, it is necessary to confirm that the battery case 10 is mounted. High safety because it can be detected mechanically.

A stopper pin 44 is provided for temporarily stopping the fixing of the battery case 10 by the fastening member 33. The stopper pin 44 is connected to the battery case 10 when the pressing member 50 detects the attachment of the battery case 10. Since the stopper pin 44 does not operate unless the battery case 10 is securely attached when the battery case 10 is mounted, the battery cannot be fixed and the power cannot be turned on. No running and safe. Also, when the battery case 10 is released, the stopper pin 44 temporarily stops the rotation of the key 31 and cannot be removed unless the stopper pin 44 is operated to release the prevention of the rotation of the key 31. Safety when removing the case 10 is improved.

[0037]

According to the present invention, detecting means for detecting the attachment of the battery case to the main frame and fixing means for fixing the battery case to the main frame are provided, and the detecting means detects the attachment of the battery case. When the battery case is mounted on the main frame, the detection means does not detect the mounting of the battery case until it is securely mounted, and it must be securely mounted on the main frame. Since the battery is not fixed by the fixing means, the vehicle does not travel in an insufficiently mounted state, the battery case does not drop off, and safety is improved.

Further, the detecting means is provided with an elastic body for urging the battery case in the non-mounting direction. The elastic body has an elastic force stronger than the weight of the battery case. Just by placing the case, it cannot be fixed by the fixing means, and the fixing means operates by pressing the battery case with the force of the user and contracting the elastic body in the mounting direction. Since it is fixed by the intention to attach, it is safe without being inadvertently fixed.

Further, the fixing means has a structure for fixing and releasing the battery case by rotating a key inserted into the key box, and is interlocked with the power switch, so that when the battery case is fixed by the fixing means. Since the power can be supplied, if the attachment of the battery case is uncertain, the circuit is not energized, and the battery case is fixed to the main frame by the fixing means and the power is turned on, so that it is safe.

The battery case is provided with a detected part which is in contact with the detecting means. The detecting means detects the detected part, so that the mounting of the battery case can be mechanically detected. high.

A stopper pin for temporarily stopping the fixing of the battery case by the fixing means is provided. The stopper pin permits the fixing of the battery case of the stopper pin only when the detecting means detects the attachment of the battery case. When attaching the case,
The stopper pin will not work unless it is securely attached.
Since it cannot be fixed and the power cannot be turned on, it does not run in a non-mounted state and is safe.

As described above, according to the present invention, the battery case can be securely mounted with a simple mounting structure, and in a state where the battery case is not securely mounted, electricity cannot be supplied and a highly safe electric bicycle can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which an upper part of a battery case of the electric bicycle of FIG. 1 is detached.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting portion between a lower portion of the battery case of the bicycle of FIG. 1 and a mounting table.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixed state by a fixing means on an upper part of a battery case.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a non-attached state of the upper part of the battery case by the fixing means.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a side view of an example of a conventional electric bicycle.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the battery case part of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which a fitting is attached to the main pipe of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Driving part 2 Vertical pipe 3 Main pipe 10 Battery case 50 Detecting means (pressing member) 33 Fixing means (clamping fitting) 51 Elastic body (spring) 30 Key box 31 Key 10c Detected part (convex part) 44 Stopper pin

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A drive unit for driving wheels, a battery for supplying power to the drive unit, and a battery case which houses the battery and is mounted near the main frame, wherein the battery case is mounted on the main frame of the battery case. Detecting means for detecting the mounting of the battery case, and fixing means for fixing the battery case to the main frame, wherein fixing by the fixing means is enabled only when the detecting means detects the mounting of the battery case. Electric bicycle characterized by the following. 2. The electric bicycle according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes an elastic body for urging said battery case in a non-mounting direction. 3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein the elastic body has an elastic force stronger than a weight of the battery case.
The described electric bicycle. 4. The fixing means has a structure for fixing and releasing the battery case by rotating a key inserted into the key box, and is interlocked with a power switch. The electric bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the electric bicycle can be energized when fixed. 5. The electric bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the battery case is formed with a detected part that is in contact with the detecting means, and the detecting means detects the detected part. 6. A stopper pin for temporarily preventing the fixing of the battery case by the fixing means is provided, and the stopper pin fixes the battery case of the stopper pin only when the detecting means detects the mounting of the battery case. The electric bicycle according to claim 1 or 4, wherein permission is given.