JP2004330944A - Bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by uniting functions of a position detection system and a bicycle. <P>SOLUTION: A display section unit 40 for displaying conditions of a traveling speed or a remaining amount of battery is provided with a GPS unit 44 detecting positional information by a GPS, and a navigation device including a map information memory 45 storing map information. Information on conditions such as a traveling mode or a traveling distance is displayed in half of the display screen of an LCD display section 41, and navigation information is displayed in the other half. Thus, the present position of the bicycle or a route to a destination as well as traveling conditions of the bicycle can be recognized easily, and necessary time or labor to the destination can be grasped easily. The display unit can be removed from the bicycle body to prevent a theft when the bicycle is not used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bicycle having a position detecting function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices using a GPS (Global Positioning System) have been used for various applications such as automobiles and mobile phones.
As an example of applying GPS to a bicycle, a system for notifying a base station of the position of the bicycle has been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-249752 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-27666 A [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2002-133510
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above conventional examples detect and notify the position of the bicycle, and are not systems that are integrated with the functions of the bicycle, but exhibit sufficient effects in terms of improving the functions and convenience of the bicycle itself. There was a problem that did not.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle that can improve convenience by integrating a position detection system and a function of a bicycle.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display unit for displaying images, position detecting means for receiving position information and detecting a current position, map information storing means for storing map information, and provided on a vehicle body side. Detection information input means for inputting detection information from the traveling system detection means; and navigation information based on current position information detected by the position detection means and map information stored in the map information storage means. A display control unit for displaying on the display unit, generating state information based on the detection information input from the detection information input unit, and displaying the state information on the display unit, and performing an operation input to the display control unit A navigation device having operating means is provided on a steering wheel.
[0007]
In the bicycle of the present invention, a navigation device is configured by using a display unit that displays state information generated from detection information obtained from a bicycle traveling system, and the navigation device includes current position information and map information obtained by a position detection system. By displaying the navigation information generated from the above, by visually recognizing this display, the user can easily recognize the traveling state of the bicycle and the current position of the bicycle and the course to the destination. It is possible to easily understand the required time and labor, and to improve the convenience of the bicycle.
Therefore, the convenience of the bicycle can be greatly improved by the navigation device that combines the position detection system and the function of the bicycle.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the bicycle according to the present invention is applied to an electrically assisted bicycle will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an appearance of an electric assist bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The electric assist bicycle of the present embodiment has a folding structure, and includes a main pipe 1, a front fork 8 supporting the front wheel 2, a rear fork 9 supporting the rear wheel 3, and a seat post supporting the seat 5. 10, a spindle 11 supporting the handle 6, a head pipe 12 through which the spindle 11 is inserted and supported, a pedal section 13, a battery unit 14, and the like.
[0009]
Although not shown in FIG. 1, the following various members for controlling the present embodiment are provided in each part of the electric assist bicycle of the present embodiment.
First, the main pipe 1 is provided with a vehicle controller for managing the state of the electrically assisted bicycle of the present embodiment and performing various controls. Further, a folding switch is provided in the folding structure of the main pipe 1, and when detecting that the vehicle body is folded, driving of a motor or the like is prohibited at the time of folding to secure safety. ing.
Further, the pedal section 13 is provided with a torque sensor and a crank frequency generator (FG) around the pedal crank 13A, and detects a torque generated in the pedal crank 13A and a rotation speed.
[0010]
In the center of the handle 6, a display unit 40 including a display unit such as an LCD, an operation unit for key input, and a display controller for controlling the display unit is provided. Various modes can be set and selected by input. In particular, in this example, the display unit 40 is used to configure a navigation device that displays various state information of a traveling system (assist drive system) and also displays navigation information based on GPS position information and map information. .
The display unit 40 is detachably attached to a mounting member (not shown) provided at the center of the handle 6. When not riding a bicycle, the display unit 40 is removed from the bicycle. The display unit is configured to be portable, so that the display unit can be prevented from being tampered with or stolen.
[0011]
Although various configurations of the mounting member are conceivable, for example, a display unit 40 as a navigation device is provided with a projection provided with a connector terminal, and the projection of the display unit 40 is fitted to the mounting member. By providing a mounting hole having a connector portion to be inserted and inserted, and fitting and inserting the projection of the display unit 40 into the mounting hole of the mounting member, the display unit 40 can be positioned and fixed, and the connectors can be connected to each other. Various configurations can be used.
However, in the configuration of this portion, when the display unit 40 is removed, it is necessary to prevent dust and water in the mounting hole. Therefore, an opening / closing lid having, for example, a slide structure or a hinge structure is provided in the mounting hole, and when the display unit 40 is mounted, the opening / closing lid is pushed back by the projection and retreats to open the mounting hole. At the time of removal, it is configured to return to the original position by the spring force together with the detachment of the projection, and to close the mounting hole.
[0012]
The head pipe 12 is provided with a key switch for turning on and off the power of the battery unit 14 by operating a power key (not shown).
Further, the front wheel unit 2 is provided with a motor for assist driving, a motor driver for controlling the driving of the motor, and a motor controller for controlling the motor driver.
The rear wheel section 3 is provided with an automatic transmission unit.
Further, although omitted in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a headlight and the like are provided at a front portion of the vehicle body, and a rear light and a turn signal lamp are provided at a rear portion.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the electric assist bicycle shown in FIG.
As shown in the drawing, the electric assist bicycle of the present example has four main units of a vehicle controller unit 30, a display unit 40, a motor unit 50, and a battery unit 14, and the display unit 40 controls the navigation device. It is composed.
The vehicle controller unit 30 includes a vehicle controller 31 for performing various controls described below, a key switch 32 for turning on / off the power by a user using a power key, a folding switch 33 for detecting that the bicycle is folded, and an automatic transmission. And a torque sensor 35 for detecting the torque generated in the pedal section 13 and a crank FG 36 for detecting the rotation speed of the pedal section 13.
[0014]
The display unit 40 includes a display unit 41 such as an LCD, an operation switch 42 including various operation keys, a display controller 43 for controlling these, and a GPS unit (position detection unit) for detecting position information by GPS. 44, and a map information memory (map information storage means) 45 storing map information.
In this example, the display unit 40 is provided detachably from the body of the bicycle, and is connected to the vehicle controller unit 30 via the connector 60.
The interface between the display unit 40 and the vehicle controller unit 30 includes a serial transmission signal TXD, a serial reception signal RXD, a power supply (5 V), a ground GND, an attachment detection JOINT (connected to ground on the display unit side), and the like. It is configured.
The JOINT signal for attachment detection is pulled up on the vehicle body side. When the display unit is attached, it falls to low, and detects that the display unit is connected. When not connected, the power supply and the communication line are connected to high impedance or ground, and are kept electrically safe. The power supply and the communication line become active only after the connection is confirmed.
[0015]
The motor unit 50 includes a motor 51 for assisting driving of the front wheel unit 2, a motor driver 52 for controlling the driving of the motor 51, and a motor controller 53 for controlling the motor driver 52.
The battery unit 14 includes a rechargeable battery unit including a secondary battery and a large-capacity capacitor, and a power supply controller that controls charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery unit.
In the vehicle controller 31, the pedaling force from the pedal section 13 is detected by the torque sensor 35, and the assisting force corresponding thereto is transmitted to the motor unit 50 via a serial communication line.
The mode of the bicycle can be variously changed by an input from the operation switch 42 of the display unit 40. In addition, various information such as the speed of the bicycle and the remaining amount of the battery can be displayed on the display unit 41.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the display controller 43 in the display unit 40 of the present example.
The display controller microcomputer 501 controls the entire display controller 43, and the memory 517 stores programs and data for the display controller microcomputer 501 to perform various controls. The GPS controller 502 receives GPS position information and the like received from the GPS antenna 504 through the RF amplifier 503, and performs processing necessary for generating navigation information based on the information.
The LCD module 505 includes the display unit 41 using an LCD and a driving circuit thereof. The LED driver 506 controls lighting and blinking of the headlight 507, the rear light 508, and the turn signal lamp 509.
The buffer unit 510 receives input signals from the up / down / left / right keys 511, an enter key 512, a mode key 513, etc. of the operation switches and transmits the signals to the microcomputer 501.
[0017]
The memory stick controller 514 accesses the memory stick 45 storing the map information and reads the map information.
It is assumed that the memory stick 45 stores, for example, map information of a specific area. That is, a bicycle equipped with the navigation device of the present example has a narrower moving range than a car, and thus does not require wide-area map information. On the other hand, the bicycle is detailed map information in order to sufficiently exercise the mobility of the bicycle. It is desired.
Therefore, map information divided by prefecture, city, or city area is stored on a memory stick, and the map information is selectively attached to a navigation device according to the range of bicycle travel. It is possible to obtain map information optimal for running a bicycle by effectively using a simple recording medium having a very small capacity.
[0018]
The RS232C controller 515 controls an interface for connecting a PC terminal 520 such as a mobile phone, for example, and the RS232C controller 516 controls an interface for connecting the vehicle controller 31.
[0019]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing operation in the display controller microcomputer.
The illustrated example shows a state transition of the event driven system. When there is a reception event (S2) from the vehicle controller 31 from the state of waiting for an event (S1), a packet reception process is performed. This processing includes, for example, acquisition of an assist amount and a regeneration amount, acquisition of a battery remaining amount, and acquisition of a vehicle speed.
If there is a key input event (S3), key input processing is performed. This process includes, for example, a mode change and a target gear value change.
If there is a timer event (S4), a periodic process is performed by a timer. This process includes, for example, a process of transmitting the target assist amount, the regeneration amount, and the gear value to the vehicle controller, a process of obtaining GPS position information, and a process of obtaining map information (this process is performed not periodically but as needed). ), Display switching processing of the LCD display unit, and the like.
[0020]
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a specific example of a display screen on the LCD display unit 41 of the display unit 40 as described above.
As shown in the figure, in the display unit of the present example, navigation information is displayed in a left half area 610 of the display screen 600, bicycle state information is displayed in a right half area 620, and a mode key is displayed on the lower side thereof. Operation keys 641 to 644 are provided.
The navigation information indicates, for example, the current position on a map, and several types of display contents can be selected by operating the operation keys 641 to 644.
FIG. 6 shows the contents of the state information extracted. As shown in the figure, the state information displayed on the bicycle of this example includes a running mode 621, a gear state (for manual conversion) 622, a left blinker state 623, a front / rear light state 624, a right blinker state 625, a speed 626, The information includes a stoplight state 627, a regeneration ratio 628, an assist ratio 629, a regeneration torque state 630, an assist torque state 631, an inclination angle (round) 632, and a battery state 633.
By such a parallel display of the navigation information and the state information, it is possible to easily grasp various information relating to the current position and the traveling route to the destination and the current traveling state, and to perform comfortable traveling.
[0021]
With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained with the electric assist bicycle of the present embodiment.
(1) A comfortable bicycle run is possible by a combination of the navigation function and the state display function.
(2) Control of a bicycle linked to a map (for example, assist up on a slope) can be performed.
(3) It is possible to inform the user whether or not the remaining battery level is sufficient according to the distance to the destination.
(4) If the destination and the target arrival time are known, an essential average speed can be calculated.
(5) The anti-theft effect can be obtained by removing the display unit.
[0022]
In addition, although the case where the present invention is applied to the electric assist bicycle has been described above, the present invention can be applied to a bicycle having no electric assist function. In this case as well, the bicycle traveling system is provided with a sensor for detecting the traveling amount and the traveling speed. By generating the state information from the detected information and displaying it on the display unit, it is combined with the display of the navigation information. Configuration.
In the above-described example, the display unit as the navigation device is configured to be detachable from the bicycle. However, the components of the vehicle controller unit 30 may be provided in the detachable unit. That is, the vehicle controller is provided with various arithmetic elements and the like, a part of which is included in the display unit, and the functional element is configured to be partly shared and detachable, By reducing the number of elements on the body side of the bicycle, even if the vehicle body is stolen, cost damage can be reduced.
[0023]
Further, in the above-described example, a manual operation type operation switch is used as the operation means of the navigation device, but various input operations can be performed by generating specific words by voice input using a voice recognition function. Alternatively, the display unit may be operated without releasing the hand from the grip of the handle.
Further, in the above-described example, the configuration is such that the operation switch can be arranged and operated on a part of the display unit of the navigation device. The operation unit and the display unit may be connected by a cable so that the display unit can be operated without releasing the grip of the handle.
In addition to the antenna of the GPS unit 44 in the navigation device, the antenna may be provided on the vehicle body side of the bicycle, instead of being provided on the display unit 40 itself, and may be taken into the GPS unit 44 through a connector.
[0024]
Further, the storage means for the map information is not limited to a memory stick, and another recording medium may be used. Further, a configuration may be employed in which map information downloaded using a portable terminal or the like (PC terminal 520) is stored in an internal memory and used.
Further, in the above-described example, the display area for the navigation information and the display area for the state information are divided into almost halves. However, the display area can be appropriately changed according to the information amount of both, and is not limited to the side-by-side display. May be provided. Further, these display modes may be selectable by a user's setting operation.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the bicycle of the present invention, the display unit that displays the state information generated from the detection information obtained from the traveling system of the bicycle is used as a navigation device, and the current position information and the map obtained by the position detection system are used. Since the navigation information generated from the information is displayed, by visually recognizing the display, the user can easily recognize the traveling state of the bicycle and the current position of the bicycle and the course to the destination. The time required to get to the ground and the labor can be easily grasped, and the convenience of the bicycle can be improved.
Therefore, the convenience of the bicycle can be greatly improved by the navigation device that combines the position detection system and the function of the bicycle, and furthermore, it is possible to achieve a multifaceted application by combining with the electric assist function and the fitness function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an appearance of an electric assist bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the electric assist bicycle shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display controller provided in the control system illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a state transition of the display controller shown in FIG. 3;
5 is a plan view showing an example of a display screen on a display unit of the electric assist bicycle shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a plan view extracting and showing a state display area of the display screen shown in FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main pipe, 2 ... Front wheel part, 3 ... Rear wheel part, 5 ... Seat, 6 ... Handle, 8 ... Front fork, 9 ... Rear fork, 10 ... Seat post, 11 ... Spindle, 12 Head pipe, 13 Pedal part, 14 Battery unit, 30 Vehicle controller unit, 31 Vehicle controller, 32 Key switch, 33 Fold switch, 34 Automatic transmission Unit, 35: Torque sensor, 36: Crank FG, 40: Display unit, 41: Display unit, 42: Operation switch, 43: Display controller, 50: Motor unit, 51: Motor, 52 ... Motor driver, 53 ... Motor controller.

Claims (9)

A display unit for displaying images,
Position detection means for receiving the position information and detecting the current position;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Detection information input means for inputting detection information from the detection means of the traveling system provided on the vehicle body side,
Based on the information on the current position detected by the position detecting means and the map information stored in the map information storing means, navigation information is generated, displayed on the display unit, and input from the detection information input means. Display control means for generating state information based on the detected information, and displaying the state information on the display unit;
Operation means for performing an operation input to the display control means,
A navigation device provided with a steering wheel,
A bicycle characterized by the following. An electrically assisted bicycle comprising: arithmetic control means for determining a running state of a bicycle to calculate an assist amount; and assist drive means for applying the assist amount calculated by the arithmetic control means to a wheel drive shaft. The bicycle according to claim 1, 3. The bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the arithmetic control unit is provided in the navigation device. The bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays the calculation information processed by the calculation control means as the state information on the display unit. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the display unit has a display area for the navigation information and a display area for the status information in parallel. 2. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein said map information storage means comprises a recording medium which is exchangeably mounted. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the position detecting means is means for detecting a current position by GPS. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is provided detachably from a steering wheel. The handle includes an attachment member having an attachment hole for detachably attaching and positioning and fixing the navigation device, and the attachment hole of the attachment member has an opening / closing lid that opens and closes in accordance with attachment / detachment of the navigation device. The bicycle according to claim 8, wherein the bicycle is a bicycle.

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