JP7432280B1 - assist bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

[Purpose] To provide an assisted bicycle that is extremely compact when folded and allows easy folding work. [Structure] A central diagonal strut 3, a front strut 1 consisting of a front shaft pipe portion 11 and a handle shaft portion 12, a front fork 13, a pivot connecting portion that constantly connects the front strut holding portion 21 and the central diagonal strut 3. 23 and a detachable connection part 24 that can be attached and detached, a collar member 26 made of synthetic resin installed inside the inner peripheral side of the front strut holding part 21, a handle 8, a rear fork 34, and a center diagonal The column 3 is provided with a rear column 5 that is fixed in an upright state and a collapsed state, and when the folding is completed, the rear shaft portion of the rear column 5 is fixed in a collapsed state forward with respect to the central diagonal column 3. 51 is lifted upward so that the central diagonal strut 3 becomes vertical, and the central diagonal strut 3 and rear strut 5 are folded into a V-shape, and the central diagonal strut 3 becomes vertical. The strut 3 and the front strut 1 are in a folded state where they can be bent into an inverted V shape. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an electrically assisted bicycle that is extremely compact when folded, can be operated in a stable state, and can be easily assembled and folded.

Conventionally, there are various types of bicycles that can be folded. Many of these types have a pivot at an intermediate location in the front-rear direction, and are bent in the horizontal direction via the pivot. Patent Document 1 is cited as a representative example. Furthermore, there is also a type that has a bending portion at an intermediate location in the front-rear direction and is bent on a vertical plane via the bending portion. Patent Document 2 is cited as a representative example. Many of the conventional folding types, including Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, are troublesome to fold and are unstable even when folding is completed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-123913 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-159720

First, many of the folding type devices as shown in Patent Document 1 can have a simple structure. However, even when folded, the volume is large and the storage space is large. Further, although the folding type shown in Patent Document 2 can reduce the volume when folded, the folding structure becomes complicated and the folding operation becomes troublesome. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrically assisted bicycle that can be quickly folded, has a compact state when folded, and can save space by reducing the storage space.

Therefore, as a result of intensive research in order to solve the above problems, the inventor has proposed the invention of claim 1 for a central diagonal column in which an assist motor and a storage battery are installed, a front axle tube section, and a front axle tube section. A front strut consisting of an internally mounted handle shaft, a front fork that is provided at the lower end of the handle shaft and pivotally supports a small front wheel, a front strut holding portion that clamps the front strut, and a front end of the central diagonal strut. a connecting support having a pivot connecting portion that is permanently connected to the side, a detachable connecting portion that is attached and detached, and a detachable operation lever that attaches and detaches the detachable connecting portion and the central diagonal column; and an inner peripheral side of the front column holding portion. a collar member which is installed inside the body and is made of synthetic resin and into which the front shaft tube is inserted; a handle which is attached to the handlebar shaft; and a collar member which is provided at the lower end of the central diagonal column and pivotally supports the small rear wheel. a rear fork, and a rear column having a rear shaft portion fixed to the central diagonal column in an upright position and a collapsed position, respectively, and having a saddle;
When traveling or just before traveling, the central diagonal strut has a gently sloped shape that descends from the front side to the rear side, and the front strut and the rear strut are upright;
The assisted bicycle is characterized in that when the folding is completed, the central diagonal column and the rear column have a substantially V-shape, and the central diagonal column and the front column have a substantially inverted V-shape. The above problem was solved.

The invention according to claim 2 is provided in the assisted bicycle according to claim 1, in which the assist electric motor is disposed in an elliptical rear housing portion formed in a rearward direction in the longitudinal direction of the central diagonal column and bulging upwardly and downwardly. The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing an assisted bicycle characterized in that the bicycle is installed internally, and the rear strut is provided in the rear housing section.

The invention according to claim 3 is provided in the assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a rotation shaft portion is provided at the lower end of the rear strut, and a positioning cam having two fitting recesses is provided on the rotation shaft portion. The rotating shaft portion is rotatably supported by the central diagonal column, and the central diagonal column has a fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting recess of the positioning cam. The above problem has been solved by providing an assisted bicycle characterized in that a positioning lever is provided, and the rear strut is fixed in an upright or fallen position by the positioning lever.

The invention of claim 4 is provided in the assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, at a detachable connection portion between the connection support and the front side of the central diagonal support and between the connection support and the central diagonal support. A cylinder and a piston rod are provided therebetween, and the piston rod is provided with a shock absorber that protrudes and retracts from the cylinder, and the axial outer ends of each of the cylinder and the piston rod are connected to the connection support and the central diagonal column. The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing an assisted bicycle which is characterized by being pivotally connected between the bicycles.

In the assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, the connecting support is located at an arbitrary position near the upper end side of the front shaft tube portion of the front strut, when the folding is completed. The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing an assisted bicycle characterized by being provided with an upper stopper section for stopping upward movement along the shaft tube section.

The invention according to claim 6 is provided in the assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a locking protrusion is formed on the lower surface of the swinging free end side of the attachment/detachment operation lever, and the locking protrusion is formed on the lower surface of the swinging free end side of the attachment/detachment operation lever, and the center diagonal column and the front column are connected to each other. The above-mentioned assisted bicycle is characterized in that the locking protrusion of the attachment/detachment operation lever locks with the front end of the central diagonal column when the folding is completed, and maintains the state when the folding is completed. This is a solution to a problem.

In the first aspect of the present invention, an assist electric motor for assisting the bicycle is provided at an intermediate position of the central diagonal support, so that the bicycle can run stably and can be made compact. When the folding is completed, the central diagonal column and the front column form an inverted V shape, so that the small front wheel and the small rear wheel are positioned below the central diagonal column, thereby stabilizing the storage state. can. Furthermore, by bending the central diagonal column and the rear column into a V-shape, it has an even more compact external shape, making it suitable for storage.

Further, the front column includes a front shaft tube portion and a connecting support for supporting the front shaft tube portion, and is connected to the central diagonal column by a pivot connecting portion and a detachable connecting portion; With the configuration including a detachable operation lever that connects and disconnects the detachable connection part from the connection support, the front column and the central diagonal column can be pivoted by separating the detachment connection part by operating the detachment operation lever. Only the support connection portion is connected, and the front support and central diagonal support support can be bent extremely smoothly with the pivot connection portion as the bending center. In this way, the assisted bicycle can be folded safely and easily by operating the attachment/detachment operation lever.

Furthermore, as will be stated repeatedly, when the folding is completed, the central diagonal column and the rear column are bent into a V-shape, and the central diagonal column and the front column form an inverted V-shape. When the electrically assisted bicycle of the invention is completely folded, the small front wheel and the small rear wheel are arranged in a line in the front and back direction, so it can be stably leaned against a wall etc., saving space in the storage area. can also be achieved.

Further, the rear strut has a structure that allows it to be fixed at an intermediate position with respect to the central diagonal strut in either an upright state or a tilted state. For this purpose, during the folding operation, by lifting the rear column, which is fixed in a tilted state forward with respect to the central diagonal column, the central diagonal column is also brought into an upright state with a steep slope as the rear column is raised. Therefore, the work to be done when the central diagonal support and the front support are bent into an inverted V shape and the folding is completed can be easily performed. Furthermore, a collar part made of synthetic resin and having a linear separated gap along the axial direction is installed on the inner peripheral side of the front strut holding part, and the front shaft pipe part of the front strut is inserted into the collar part. The inserted configuration allows for good sliding performance between the connecting support and the connecting support on the front strut. Further, when driving or just before driving, the central diagonal pillar is in a gently sloping shape that descends from the front side to the rear side, and the front pillar and the rear pillar are in a steeply sloping upright state, making it easy to drive. You can make the bike easier to ride.

In the invention according to claim 2, the assist electric motor is housed in an elliptical rear housing portion formed on the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the central diagonal pillar, and the lower end of the rear pillar is bulged upwardly and downwardly. By making the assist bicycle characterized by being installed at the top of the rear housing, the rear support and saddle are located almost directly above the assist electric motor, and the most weight-bearing position of the assist bicycle is placed on the assist bicycle. It is approximately the middle of the total length of , allowing stable running.

In the invention according to claim 3, a rotation shaft portion is provided at the lower end of the rear strut, a positioning cam having two fitting recesses is provided on the rotation shaft portion, and the rotation shaft portion is arranged diagonally at the center. A positioning lever is rotatably supported by a support column, and the central diagonal support support is provided with a positioning lever having a fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting recess of the positioning cam. Since the rear strut is configured to swing and be fixed, it is possible to set the upright state and the fallen state of the rear strut with an extremely simple configuration.

In the invention according to claim 4, a cylinder and a piston rod are provided at a detachable connection portion between the connecting support and the front side of the central diagonal column and between the connecting support and the central diagonal column. a shock absorber for absorbing a load when the cylinder moves in and out of the cylinder; one axial end of each of the cylinder and the piston rod is pivotally connected to the connection support and the central diagonal column; By configuring the front strut and the central diagonal strut to provide a buffering effect during the bending operation, the assisted bicycle of the present invention can be easily assembled from the time of completion of assembly (when traveling or just before traveling) to the time of completion of folding or folding. In the work process from the time of completion to the time of assembly completion, it is possible to absorb the shock that occurs when disconnecting (separating) the connection part between the connection support and the central diagonal column, thereby protecting the safety of the driver. can.

In particular, when the assisted bicycle of the present invention is completely folded, the weight of the central diagonal column is applied to the connecting support, and this weight and the weight of the connecting support create a constant downward force on the connecting support. However, the resistance force of the shock absorber prevents the connecting support and the central diagonal support from lowering and maintains the folded state.

In the invention according to claim 5, the connecting support is located at an arbitrary position near the upper end of the front shaft tube portion of the front strut, and stops moving upward along the front shaft tube portion when folding is completed. The upper stopper part restricts the sliding range of the connecting support in the axial direction with respect to the front shaft tube, and prevents the connecting support from sliding excessively with respect to the front shaft tube. It is possible to prevent the connecting support from moving, and also to prevent the connecting support from falling off from the front shaft tube portion.

In the invention according to claim 6, a locking protrusion is formed on the lower surface of the swinging free end side of the attachment/detachment operation lever, so that the attachment/detachment operation lever is not engaged when the central diagonal column and the front column are completely folded. With the configuration in which the locking protrusion locks onto the front end of the central diagonal column and maintains the state when the folding is completed, it is possible to fix the assisted bicycle when the folding is completed with an extremely simple structure, and the folding is completed. It is possible to prevent the folding from collapsing inadvertently when the folding is completed. Further, the attachment/detachment operation lever is provided with a locking protrusion that locks with the front end of the central diagonal column, so that the locking protrusion can easily lock with the front end of the central diagonal column. , it is possible to make the folding of the assisted bicycle even stronger.

(A) is a side view showing when the assisted bicycle according to the present invention is assembled and when it is running or just before running; (B) is a side view showing when the assisted bicycle according to the present invention is completely folded; (C) 1 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of part (α) in (A). (A) thru|or (D) are side views which show the process ranging from the state at the time of a run to the state at the time of completion of folding. (A) is a side view of the main part showing the central diagonal column with some parts omitted, (B) is a plan view of (A), (C) is a perspective view of the central diagonal column, (D) is (C) (β) is an enlarged perspective view of the part, and (E) is a perspective view showing an example of the shape of the assist motor. (A) is a side view of the main part of the connecting part between the central diagonal column and the front column, (B) is a separated perspective view of the connecting support and the collar part, and (C) is the front shaft tube part of the front column and the connecting support. FIG. 3 is a partially omitted side view showing a state in which the tools and the tool slide relative to each other. (A) is a partially sectional plan view of the connection point between the front column and central diagonal column, and (B) is a side view, partially in section, of the connection point between the front column and central diagonal column when assembly is complete. , (C) is a side view of the main part while the connecting support is being moved upward along the front shaft tube part, and (D) is a partial cross-section of the connecting part being detached by operating the attachment/detachment operation lever. (E) is a side view of the main part, and (E) is a longitudinal sectional side view of the attachment/detachment operation lever. (A) to (C) are side views of main parts, partially in cross section, showing the state of the connecting support and the central diagonal pillar, showing the steps from when the front strut and the central diagonal strut are folded to when they are assembled. be. (A) to (C) are partially omitted longitudinal cross-sectional side views of main parts showing the process of changing the rear column from an upright state to a collapsed state with respect to the central diagonal column, and (D) is a longitudinal sectional side view of the main part as seen from the Y1-Y1 arrow in (A). It is a schematic sectional view. (A) is a side view of the assembled embodiment in which a handshake portion is provided on the rear support, (B) is a side view of the embodiment in which the rear support is provided with a handshake portion after it has been folded, and (C) is a side view of the embodiment in which the rear support is provided with a handshake portion. (A) is an enlarged view of the (γ) part, (D) is an enlarged view of another embodiment of the (γ) part of (A), and (E) is the detachment operation lever at the (ω) part of (B). An enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part with a locking protrusion provided and the locking protrusion locked to the locked shaft of the central diagonal column. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in a state where the locking protrusion and the locked shaft of the central diagonal support column are separated.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. The electrically assisted bicycle of the present invention is a foldable electrically assisted bicycle. The assisted bicycle of the present invention is mainly composed of a front strut 1, a connecting support 2, a central diagonal strut 3, a rear strut 5, an assist electric motor 61, a storage battery 62, a small front wheel 71, a small rear wheel 72, etc. (See Figures 1, 3, etc.). Here, the assist bicycle according to the present invention has a front side and a rear side, and the front side is the side in the forward direction and is equipped with the small front wheel 71, and the rear side is the side opposite to the forward direction. This is the side where the small rear wheel 72 is provided. The front side and rear side of the assisted bicycle of the present invention are added to the main drawings.

In the assisted bicycle of the present invention, when the assembly is completed, immediately before riding, and when running, the central diagonal strut 3 has a gently sloped shape that descends from the front side toward the rear side, and the front strut 1 and the rear The pillar 4 is in a steeply sloping upright state with its upper part tilted rearward [see FIG. 1(A)]. Here, the upright state of the front strut 1, central diagonal strut 3, and rear strut 5 means a steep inclination close to vertical, and specifically an angle of about 60 degrees or more, but it is not necessarily limited to this value. Rather, it is set appropriately at the design or manufacturing stage.

The term "when the assembly is completed" refers to the time when the assembly of the assisted bicycle is completed, and this "time" also includes the time immediately before and after the assembly is completed. The time immediately before driving refers to the time when charging of the storage battery 62 is completed, electrically assisted driving is enabled, and a person can get on the vehicle and start driving, and the time immediately before that. When the vehicle is running, we mean when the vehicle is being driven with a person on board. When traveling, charging of the storage battery 62 is either completed or not completed. Further, the time when the folding is completed is when the central diagonal support 3 and the rear support 5 are both in a steeply inclined upright state and the approximately V-shaped folding is completed, and immediately before and after that, Both the central diagonal column 3 and the front column 1 are bent into a substantially inverted V-shape in a steeply inclined upright state [see FIG. 1(B)].

The small front wheel 71 and the small rear wheel 72, which will be described later, used in the assisted bicycle of the present invention have a diameter smaller than that of a normal bicycle wheel (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the small front wheel 71 and the small rear wheel 72 are both 10 inches or 8 inches in size. Further, the small front wheel 71 and the small rear wheel 72 are not limited in size, and a small front wheel 71 and a small rear wheel 72 having a size of more than 10 inches or less than 8 inches may be used.

FIG. 1(A) is a side view of the electrically powered assisted bicycle of the present invention in an assembled state, that is, in a state in which it is ready for traveling. FIG. 1(B) is a side view of the assisted bicycle of the present invention when folding is completed. The front strut 1 has a front shaft tube portion 11 and a handle shaft portion 12 (see FIGS. 1, 4, etc.). The front shaft tube portion 11 is made of a steel pipe or a hollow circular tube, and its material is metal, specifically steel, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. A handle shaft portion 12 is inserted into the front shaft tube portion 11 [see FIG. 1(C)].

The handle shaft portion 12 is inserted so that its axial direction is located on the axial line passing through the diametric center of the front shaft tube portion 11, and the handle shaft portion 12 is placed on the upper end of the front shaft tube portion 11 in the circumferential direction. It is supported and fixed by a handle shaft support member 11c so as to be rotatable. The handle shaft support member 11c serves as a bearing for the handle shaft portion 12 [see FIG. 1(C)]. An insertion site is formed in the handle shaft support member 11c, and the insertion site is inserted into the inner circumferential side of the upper end of the front shaft tube section 11 with a screw connection or press-fitted to the front shaft tube section 11, thereby attaching it to the front shaft tube section 11. Fixed. A handle 8, which will be described later, is attached to the upper end of the handle shaft portion 12 in the axial direction, and the handle 8 is supported by the front strut 1 for easy operation.

The front shaft tube part 11 of the front strut 1 is set in a steeply inclined upright state when the assembly is completed (when traveling or just before traveling) [see Fig. 1(A)], and when it is fully folded. It is set in a steeply inclined upright position [see Figure 1(B)]. The handle portion 83 of the handle 8 may be either a folding type or a fixed type. Note that the folding structure of the handle 8 is constructed using a known technique, and although not particularly shown in the drawings, specifically, the right arm portion and the left arm portion are configured to be folded downward by loosening the fasteners. Further, the handle portion 83 of the handle 8 is provided with a brake lever 83a (see FIG. 1). The brake lever 83a is equivalent to a known brake device for general bicycles, and explanations and illustrations of related parts attached to the brake lever 83a will be omitted.

A front fork 13 is attached to the lower end of the handle shaft 12 in the axial direction.The handle shaft 12 and the front fork 13 are substantially integrated, and the handle shaft 12 is properly inserted into the front shaft tube 11. In this state, the front fork 13 is arranged at the lower end of the front shaft tube section 11. Although not particularly shown in the drawings, the handle shaft section 12 is properly supported via a bearing or the like at the lower end of the front shaft tube section 11 so as not to be misaligned.

When the handle 8 attached to the upper end of the handle shaft 12 is rotated, the front fork 13 is also rotated via the handle shaft 12. A small front wheel 71 is pivotally mounted on the front fork 13 (see FIG. 1). The front fork 13 is bifurcated and has a substantially inverted "U" shape, and has clamping legs 13a, 13a in the width direction. A small front wheel 71 is rotatably supported by both clamping leg pieces 13a, 13a.

Further, the height position of the handle 8 may be configured to be adjustable. Specifically, although not particularly shown, the handle 8 is provided with a shaft member for connection, and the shaft member is configured to be inserted into the hollow portion of the handle shaft portion 12, that is, it has a substantially telescopic structure. . The handle 8 can be fixed at a desired height using fixing devices such as screws and bolts. A handle portion 83 of the handle 8 is disposed on the upper end side of the front shaft tube portion 11, and the handle shaft portion 12 is inserted into the front shaft tube portion 11 by rotating the handle portion 83 with respect to the front shaft tube portion 11. The front fork 13 and the small front wheel 71 rotate in the running direction, thereby changing the direction.

Next, the connection support 2 is a member that serves to connect the front support 1 and the central diagonal support 3, which will be described later, in a bendable manner for folding and assembly. The connection support 2 is equipped with an attachment/detachment operation lever 25, and the attachment/detachment operation lever 25 releases the attachment/detachment connection portion 24, which is a connection point with the front end of the central diagonal column 3, which will be described later. By separating the connecting support 2 and the central diagonal column 3, both the central diagonal column 3 and the front column 1 can be folded into an inverted V-shape in a symmetrical and steeply inclined upright state. [See Figures 1(B) and 2(D)]. Even in this foldable state, the connecting support 2 and the central diagonal support 3 are always connected at the pivot connecting portion 23, which will be described later. This configuration will be described in detail after the description of the central diagonal column 3 because the central diagonal column 3 and the front column 1 are constructed in relation to each other.

Next, the central diagonal support column 3 will be explained. The central diagonal strut 3 is located approximately at the center in the longitudinal direction of the assisted bicycle of the present invention, and serves to support the front strut 1 and the rear strut 5 [see FIG. 1(A)]. Then, when the bicycle is assembled (during running or just before running), the central diagonal strut 3 is in a generally diagonal and gently inclined state so that the front side, that is, the small front wheel 71 side is higher [Fig. See A). The central diagonal column 3 has a front housing part 31 and a rear housing part 32, and has a substantially monocoque shape in terms of appearance, external shape, and structure, and the rear housing part 32 has a front housing part 31 and a rear housing part 32. It is located closer to the rear than the center, and is formed to bulge out in the vertical and width directions compared to other parts. The front housing section 31 and the rear housing section 32 are configured to be continuous in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 3).

Here, the monocoque structure of the central diagonal column 3 is an integral structure or a shell structure, and the front casing part 31 and the rear casing part 32 have a void inside them due to the outer covering (outer) member. It is a structure that is constructed. The front housing part 31 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing, and as described above, has a space inside and has a configuration suitable for storing a storage battery (battery) 62 [FIGS. See C)]. The front housing portion 31 of the central diagonal column 3 has a space in which accessories such as a storage battery 62 are housed. Further, the rear housing portion 32 has a space in which an assist motor 61, which will be described later, is arranged and mounted, and this portion serves as a power chamber. The front casing part 31 and the rear casing part 32 are substantially integrated to form the central diagonal support column 3.

FIG. 3(C) is a perspective view of the central diagonal support column 3, showing that its structure is approximately monocoque-shaped. As described above, the rear housing part 32 is a part in which the assist electric motor 61 is housed, and is formed in a bulging shape so that the interior is wider in the vertical and width directions than the other parts of the central diagonal column 3. ing. In other words, the rear housing section 32 has a more swollen shape than the front housing section 31. Specifically, it is preferable that the rear housing portion 32 has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the assist motor 61.

Note that FIG. 3(E) shows an example of the shape of the assist electric motor 61 applied to the assisted bicycle of the present invention. In this way, by making the structure of the central diagonal column 3 into a substantially monocoque shape, the central diagonal column 3 itself can be made compact, and the assist motor 61 and the storage battery 62 can be mounted and stored efficiently. Can be done.

The front casing portion 31 is connected to the front column 1 via the connection support 2 [see FIG. 1, FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), and FIG. 3]. The storage battery 62 is housed inside the front housing portion 31 and is configured to be able to be charged while being housed. Alternatively, the storage battery 62 may be freely removed from the front housing portion 31, and only the removed storage battery 62 may be charged. In this case, although not particularly shown in the drawings, the front casing 31 is provided with an upper cover section into which the storage battery 62 can be taken in and taken out, and which serves as a lid when the front casing 31 is in a stored state. The upper cover section is fixed by being placed over the upper opening of the front casing section 31 using fasteners such as bolts.

The rear housing portion 32 has a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the side, and an assist electric motor 61 is housed therein (see FIG. 2). In other words, the assist electric motor 61 is built into the rear housing part 32 of the central diagonal column 3, and the rear housing part 32 has a monocoque-like structure when the assist bicycle is traveling or just before traveling. In this case, the rear housing portion 32 is formed to bulge in the vertical direction [see FIGS. 3(A) and 3(C)]. The assist electric motor 61 is provided with an assist drive shaft 61a, which protrudes outward from the rear housing portion 32 from both sides in the width direction.

Pedals 66 are attached to both of the assist drive shafts 61a, and a main sprocket 63 is attached to one of the assist drive shafts 61a. Therefore, the assist drive shaft 61a is machined with external threads, internal threads, splines, key grooves, etc., so that the pedal 66 and main sprocket 63 can be easily attached to the assist drive shaft 61a. . The assist electric motor 61 housed in the rear housing section 32 has a portion of both side surfaces in the width direction exposed from both side surfaces in the width direction of the rear housing section 32 [see FIGS. 3(A), (C), etc. ]. Alternatively, although not particularly illustrated, the entire assist motor 61 may be housed in the rear housing section 32, and only the assist drive shafts 61a, 61a may be configured to protrude or be exposed from the rear housing section 32.

A rear fork 34 is provided at the rear end and lower end of the rear housing portion 32 of the central diagonal support column 3. The rear fork 34 is specifically composed of two rear clamping leg pieces 34a, 34a, and a small rear wheel 72 is pivotally supported by the two rear clamping leg pieces 34a, 34a which are bifurcated. [See Figures 1, 3(A), and (B)].

As described above, the main sprocket 63 constituting the chain mechanism is attached to one of the assist drive shafts 61a, 61a of the assist electric motor 61 housed in the rear housing portion 32. The small rear wheel 72 is equipped with a slave sprocket 64, and a chain 65 is stretched between the main sprocket 63 and the slave sprocket 64, as in a general bicycle.

Further, pedals 66, 66 are respectively attached to both assist drive shafts 61a, 61a of an assist motor 61 housed in the rear housing part 32, and the assist motor 61 provides assistance to the human power that rotates the pedals 66, 66. It is configured to do this. A stand 73 is provided at the pivot point of the small rear wheel 72 of the rear fork 34. The stand 73 can be placed upright at home or in a bicycle parking area, such as a bicycle parking lot, in a state immediately before the assisted bicycle of the present invention is assembled and put on the road.

Further, the stand 73 can be placed upright even when the assisted bicycle of the present invention is completely folded. Furthermore, the lower end of the stand 73 may be provided with small wheels used for casters or the like. Specifically, the small wheels are provided on both sides of the stand 73 in the width direction, that is, on both sides of the assisted bicycle in the width direction. The small wheels attached to this stand 73 make it easy to move the assisted bicycle in the front and rear directions when the assisted bicycle is assembled and standing upright, or when it is folded. You can easily make small movements.

Next, a structure in which the central diagonal column 3 and the front column 1 are connected via the connection support 2 will be described. A front column 1 is connected to the front and upper end of the central diagonal column 3 via a connection support 2. The connection support 2 includes a front support holding part 21 that holds the front shaft tube part 11 of the front support 1 in a cradling manner, a fastening tool 22, a detachable connection part 24, and a pivot connection part 23.

The front strut clamping part 21 has a circumferential inner circumferential wall, a linear spaced part is provided on the front side, and a spaced part 21b is formed using this part, and clamping clamps are provided at both ends of the spaced part 21b. Pieces 21a, 21a are provided [see FIG. 4(B), FIG. 5(A), and (B)]. A through hole 21h is formed in each of the clamping and tightening pieces 21a, 21a, and the clamping tool is inserted between the clamping and tightening pieces 21a, 21a through the through holes 21h, 21h. 22 are provided. Then, by operating the fastener 22, the distance between the clamping and tightening pieces 21a, 21a changes, the distance between the separating portions 21b changes, and the inner diameter of the front strut clamping portion 21 changes in size.

The front strut clamping part 21 has a cylindrical space inside, and a collar member 26 is attached to the front strut clamping part 21 [see FIG. 4(B)]. When the section 11 is inserted and the assembly is completed (during traveling or just before traveling), the connecting support 2 clamps the front shaft tube section 11 and supports and fixes it via the fasteners 22 [Fig. See A), (B)].

Then, when the front column clamping part 21 of the connecting support 2 is clamping the front shaft tube part 11 in an enveloping manner and the clamping tool 22 is released, the clamping force is weakened and the clamping part 21 becomes loose. As a result, the connecting support 2 can slide vertically along the axial direction of the front shaft tube part 11 [Figs. 1 (A), (B), Figs. 2 and 4]. (C)]. By sliding the connecting support 2 in the vertical direction with respect to the front shaft tube portion 11 of the front strut 1, the assisted bicycle of the present invention can be folded and assembled (in a state in which it can run).

The collar member 26 is made of synthetic resin and has a separate linear slit portion 26a along the axial direction [see FIG. A collar member 26 is attached to the collar member 26, and the front shaft tube portion 11 of the front strut 1 is inserted into the collar member 26 (see FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C)). The collar member 26 has an inner diameter and an outer diameter that change due to the slit portion 26a, and this change can change the inner diameter along with tightening and unfastening of the front strut holding portion 21 of the connecting support 2.

Annular flanges 26b are formed at both upper and lower ends of the collar member 26, and both flanges 26b, 26b are arranged in stepped portions formed at both upper and lower ends of the front strut holding part 21, so that the collar member 26 is attached to the front strut. It is attached to the holding part 21. The collar member 26 has a synthetic resin interposed between the front shaft tube section 11 of the front column 1 and the front column holding section 21 of the connecting support 2 without direct metal contact, so that the front shaft tube section 11 of the front column 1 and the front column holding section 21 of the connecting support 2 do not come into direct metal contact. The sliding movement of the connecting support 2 with respect to the connecting support 11 can be made smooth.

Specifically, an eccentric cam clamp lever is used as the fastener 22. The eccentric cam clamp lever is a common one, and specifically includes a cam portion 22a, a lever portion 22b, and a tightening shaft 22c [see FIG. 5(A)]. The cam portion 22a and one end of the tightening shaft 22c are rotatably connected, and the other end of the tightening shaft 22c is a large diameter head. The tightening shaft 22c passes through both the through holes 21h, 21h of both the clamping clamping pieces 21a, 21a, and is connected to the clamping clamping pieces 21a, 21a by the large diameter head and the cam part 22a so as to sandwich the clamping clamping pieces 21a, 21a. There is.

Then, by rotating the lever portion 22b of the eccentric cam clamp lever, the cam portion 22a rotates, and the gap between the clamping and tightening pieces 21a, 21a is narrowed by changing the uneven surface of the cam portion 22a. This allows the inner diameter of the front strut clamping part 21 to be changed in size, thereby tightening and tightening the front shaft tube part 11 which is clamped in a cradling manner within the front strut clamping part 21. Can be canceled. There are various types of eccentric cam clamp levers, but known ones are used.

Although not particularly shown, the fastener 22 may be a bolt or nut. In this case, the bolt is inserted into the through holes 21h, 21h of the clamping fastening pieces 21a, 21a, and the nut is inserted into the bolt. Tightening (locking) and tightening (unlocking) of both the clamping and tightening pieces 21a, 21a are performed. Generally, it is preferable and effective to use an eccentric cam clamp lever as the fastener 22 because it is easy for the user (driver) to handle and operate.

Then, by operating the fastener 22 (eccentric cam clamp lever), the connecting support 2 is locked and unlocked with respect to the front shaft tube 11, and by the unlocking, the connecting support 2 locks and unlocks the front shaft tube 11. It becomes possible to slide back and forth along the axial direction, and the work that is done when the assisted bicycle of the present invention is assembled (in a state where it can travel) or when the bicycle is folded is completed. Furthermore, the strut support 2 is fixed to the front axle tube portion 11 by the fastener 22, thereby making it possible to stably run and assemble the assisted bicycle of the present invention.

A pivot connecting portion 23 and a detachable connecting portion 24 are provided at the connecting portion between the connecting support 2 of the front column 1 and the central diagonal column 3. The pivot connection part 23 and the detachable connection part 24 are the names of the parts that constitute the connection between the connection support 2 and the central diagonal column 3, that is, the parts that constitute the connection between the connection support 2 and the central diagonal column 3. has been done.

The pivot connection part 23 is provided at a position below the connection point between the connection support 2 and the central diagonal column 3 when the assembly is completed and the vehicle is traveling or just before traveling. It has a structure in which the support column 3 is always connected so that it can be folded freely [Fig. 1 (A), (B), Fig. 2, Fig. 4 (A), (C), Fig. 5 (B), (C ), etc.].

Further, the detachable connecting portion 24 is a connecting structure that can connect and disconnect the connecting support 2 of the front column 1 and the central diagonal column 3. In other words, "detachment" used in the wording in the detachment/detachment connection section 24 refers to separating the connection state between the connection support 2 and the central diagonal column 3 and separating them [Fig. 1(B), Fig. 5(C)]. ), FIGS. 6(A), (B), etc.], "attaching" refers to connecting the connecting support 2 and the central diagonal support 3 from a separated (separated) state to each other [see FIG. 1(A) , see FIG. 4(A), FIG. 5(B), and FIG. 6(C)].

The removable connecting portion 24 is provided at a position above the connection point between the connecting support 2 and the central diagonal column 3 when the assembly is completed and the vehicle is traveling or just before traveling. The central diagonal support 3 is in a connected state when traveling after assembly is complete or just before traveling, and is in a disconnected state when folding is complete. The removable connection part 24 is provided at a position above the connection point between the connection support 2 and the central diagonal column 3 when the assembly is completed and the vehicle is traveling or just before the vehicle travels. 24 is set to be located above the pivot connecting portion 23. (See Figures 1, 2, 5, and 6).

Since the removable connecting portion 24 is located above the pivot connecting portion 23, the removable connecting portion 24 is brought into a detached state, that is, a disconnected state, and the front shaft tube portion 11 of the front strut 1 and the central diagonal strut 3 are connected to each other. The only connecting part is the pivot connection part 23, and with the pivot connection part 23 as the center of rotation, the front strut 1 and the central diagonal strut 3 are both in a symmetrical steeply inclined upright state. It can be folded by being bent into an inverted V-shape or a substantially Δ-shape [see FIG. 1(B), FIG. 2(D), FIG. 5(C), FIG. 6(A), and (B)].

The connection structure between the connection support 2 of the front support 1 and the central diagonal support 3 in the pivot connection portion 23 will be described. Flange pieces 31a, 31a are formed to slightly protrude and extend forward from both widthwise sides of the front end side of the front housing portion 31 of the central diagonal column 3 [FIGS. 3(A), (B), and 5(). See A) to (C)]. The rear portion of the connecting support 2 is arranged between the two flange pieces 31a, 31a.

For the pivot connection between the connection support 2 and both flange pieces 31a, 31a by the pivot connection part 23, a pivot connection shaft 23a is used. A shaft hole 23b is provided at the rear lower end portion of the connection support 2, shaft holes 31b, 31b are provided in both flange pieces 31a, 31a, and a connecting shaft is pivoted between the shaft holes 31b, 31b and the shaft hole 23b. 23a is inserted. The connecting support 2 and the central diagonal support 3 are pivotally connected. A bolt or nut is used as the pivot connection shaft 23a, or a pin member and a retaining ring are used to prevent the tightening shaft 22c from coming off from the shaft holes 31b, 31b.

Next, the attachment/detachment connection part 24 is constituted by an attachment/detachment operation lever 25 provided on the connection support 2 of the front column 1, and a connected part 35 provided on the upper side of the front end of the central diagonal column 3 [FIG. (B) to (D), FIG. 4(A), FIG. 5, etc.]. The attachment/detachment operation lever 25 is provided at the rear end of the connection support 2 (based on the longitudinal direction of the assisted bicycle when traveling or just before traveling) and above [see FIG. 4(B)]. .

The attachment/detachment operation lever 25 includes a lever main body 25a, a protruding/retracting shaft 25b, and a knob 25c [see FIGS. 4(A), (B), and FIG. 5]. The attachment/detachment operation lever 25 is provided at the rear and above the connection support 2 (based on the longitudinal direction of the assisted bicycle). A rotation support shaft 25g is pivotally supported at the front end of the lever body 25a by two protruding bearing portions 25f, 25f formed on the connection support 2, and the rotation support shaft 25g is the center of rotation. The lever main body 25a is mounted so as to be freely rotatable in the vertical direction and on a vertical plane [see FIGS. 5(B) and 5(C)].

A bearing portion 25d is formed on the lever body 25a so that the protruding and retracting shaft 25b can freely extend and retract in the axial direction, and the protruding and retractable shaft 25b is supported on the bearing portion 25d so as to be slidable in the axial direction. [See Figure 5(E)]. The protruding and retracting shaft 25b is attached via a resilient member 25e such as a coil spring so that it is always protruded [see FIG. 5(E)]. Further, the lever body 25a is provided with a resilient member stopper 25h.

A retractable shaft 25b is inserted into the resilient member 25e, which is a coil spring, along its axial direction. A protrusion/retraction regulating plate piece 25j is provided on the protrusion/retraction shaft 25b. Specifically, the protrusion regulating plate piece 25j is a retaining ring. The elastic member 25e, which is a coil spring, is arranged between the protrusion/retraction regulating plate piece 25j and the elastic member stopper 25h, and the protrusion/retraction shaft 25b is always controlled by the amount restricted from the bearing portion 25d by the protrusion/retraction regulating plate piece 25j. This is a condition that stands out. The amount by which this protruding/retracting shaft 25b protrudes from the bearing portion 25d is the amount by which it can be locked to a locked shaft 35a of a connected portion 35 on the side of the central diagonal column 3, which will be described later [see FIG. 5(E)]. .

A knob 25c is formed on the protruding/retracting shaft 25b, and the knob 25c is provided so as to protrude to the outside from the lever body 25a. A person can operate the knob 25c with his or her fingers while holding the lever body 25a [see FIG. 5(A)]. When the assisted bicycle of the present invention is traveling or just before traveling, the protruding and retracting shaft 25b of the attachment/detachment operation lever 25 is positioned on the surface of the connected portion 35 provided on the front casing portion 31 of the central diagonal column 3. It is designed to be locked to a locking shaft 35a [see FIGS. 5(A), (B), and (E)].

The connected portion 35 is provided at the front end and upper surface of the central diagonal column 3 in the front-rear direction, and is composed of a locked shaft 35a and two bearing portions 35b, 35b. is fixed [see Figures 3(C) and (D)]. A gap exists between the locked shaft 35a and the upper surface of the front end of the central diagonal column 3, and the tip of the protruding and retracting shaft 25b of the attachment/detachment operation lever 25 is between the locked shaft 35a and the upper surface of the front end of the central diagonal column 3. It can be inserted [see Figures 5 (A), (B), and (E)].

Specifically, by inserting the tip of the protruding and retracting shaft 25b of the detachable operation lever 25 between the upper end surface of the central diagonal column 3 and the locked shaft 35a, the detachable connection portion between the front column 1 and the central diagonal column 3 is formed. 24 are connected. In this state, the front strut 1 and the central diagonal strut 3 are in a state in which they cannot be folded via the pivot connection portion 23, that is, in a state in which they cannot be folded [see FIGS. 5(B) and 5(E)]. In this way, by setting the bicycle in a state in which it cannot be folded, that is, in a state in which it cannot be folded, the assisted bicycle of the present invention is almost completely assembled and ready for traveling or just before traveling.

Then, by removing the protruding and retracting shaft 25b of the attachment/detachment operation lever 25 from the locked shaft 35a of the central diagonal column 3 using the knob 25c from the connected portion 35 of the central diagonal column 3, the connection of the detachment/detachment connection portion 24 is released. The front strut 1 and the central diagonal strut 3 are separated from each other at the removable connecting portion 24, and the front strut 1 (its connecting support 2) and the central diagonal strut 3 are connected only at the pivot connecting portion 23. [See FIGS. 5(C), (D), and 6(A)].

Then, the detachable connecting portion 24 between the connecting support 2 of the front column 1 and the central diagonal column 3 becomes detachable, and the central diagonal column 3 and the front column 1 rotate around the pivot connecting portion 23. , the front strut 1 and the central diagonal strut 3 are mutually rotatable around the pivot connection part 23, and can be folded into a substantially inverted V-shape or a substantially Δ-shape [Fig. 1(B), 2(B) to (D), see FIG. 5(B)].

As mentioned above, the role of the attachment/detachment operation lever 25 is to connect and disconnect the front strut 1 and the central diagonal strut 3 at the detachable connection portion 24, as well as to maintain the state when the assisted bicycle of the present invention is completely folded. There are embodiments that can serve this purpose. In this case, a locking protrusion 25k is provided on the lower surface of the lever main body 25a of the attachment/detachment operation lever 25 and on the free end side. Then, when the folding of the assisted bicycle is completed, by lowering the free end side of the attachment/detachment operation lever 25, the locking protrusion 25k formed on the lower surface of the lever body 25a is attached to the connected shaft 35a of the connected part 35. It will be locked.

As a result, even if some load is applied from above to the assisted bicycle in the folded state, the lever main body 25a also acts as a stop between the front strut 1 and the central diagonal strut 3, preventing it from collapsing when the bicycle is fully folded. can be prevented. Note that the locking protrusion 25k does not necessarily need to be provided on the attachment/detachment operation lever 25, and the locking protrusion 25k may not be provided.

A shock absorber 4 is installed at a detachable connection portion between the connecting support 2 and the front side of the central diagonal column 3 and between the connecting support 2 and the central diagonal column 3 (see FIG. 6). The shock absorber 4 consists of a cylinder 41 and a piston rod 42. A piston rod 42 is housed in the cylinder 41 and set so that pressure is applied to each other, and the piston rod 42 expands and contracts with respect to the cylinder 41 while absorbing impact or resisting external force due to the impact.

The pressure generated between the cylinder 41 and the piston rod 42 is hydraulic pressure, pneumatic (gas) pressure, or the like. That is, a general oil damper or air damper is used as the shock absorber 4. Then, when the piston rod 42 moves in and out of the cylinder 41, it absorbs the load. A pivoting portion 41a and a pivoting portion 42a are formed at the axially outer end of the cylinder 41 and the axially outer end of the piston rod 42.

The pivot portion 41a of the cylinder 41 is pivotally connected to the inside of the front end portion of the central diagonal column 3, and the pivot portion 42a of the piston rod 42 is pivotally connected to the connection support 2. Specifically, the axial end of the cylinder 41 is pivotally connected to a pivot pin 41p provided at a position near the front end of the front casing portion 31 of the central diagonal column 3, and the cylinder 41 is pivoted about this pivotally coupled position. The cylinder 41 rotates up and down. Further, the axial end of the piston rod 42 is pivotally connected to a pivot pin 42p in a recess provided on the rear side of the connection support 2, and the piston rod 42 is pivoted around this pivot connection position. It rotates up and down.

The cylinder 41 is substantially entirely housed in the front end side of the front housing section 31 of the central diagonal column 3, and has a through hole 31c formed in the front wall plate of the front housing section 31, and extends from the cylinder 41 through the through hole 31c. The protruding piston rod 42 protrudes toward the connection support 2. When the assisted bicycle of the present invention is completely folded, the piston rod 42 is most protruded from the cylinder 41, and the shock absorber 4 as a whole becomes longer in the longitudinal direction [see FIG. 6(A)], and the assembly is completed. At this time (when traveling or just before traveling), the piston rod 42 is housed in the cylinder 41 to the maximum extent, and the shock absorber 4 as a whole becomes shorter in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 6(C)).

The shock absorber 4 can reduce the impact of the bending process of the front support 1 and the central diagonal support 3 during the process of folding and assembling the assisted bicycle. In particular, when the connecting support 2 is lowered from the front support 1 in the process of completing the assembly so that the assisted bicycle can travel from the folded state, the weight of the central diagonal support 3 is applied to the connection support 2. When the descending speed of the connecting support 2 is about to increase, the descending speed of the connecting support 2 is slowed down so that the connecting support 2 is slowly lowered along the axial direction of the front strut 1. 6(A) and 6(B)]. This enables safe and easy assembly.

Furthermore, when the assisted bicycle is completely folded, the shock absorber 4 is in a state where the piston rod 42 is extended from the cylinder 41, and since the shock absorber 4 tries to maintain this state, Even if the weight of the column 3 is applied, the connecting support 2 resists this weight and prevents it from lowering downward with respect to the front column 1, and the inverted V-shape between the front column 1 and the central diagonal column 3 is maintained. It is possible to maintain the time when the folding is completed and to stabilize the time when the folding is completed.

Next, the configuration of the central diagonal column 3 and the rear column 5 will be explained. First, the configuration of the rear strut 5 will be explained. The rear strut 5 includes a rear shaft portion 51 and a rotation operation portion 52 [see FIGS. 1(A), (B), FIGS. 3(A) to (C), and FIG. 7]. A saddle 54 is attached to the upper end of the rear shaft portion 51, and the rear shaft portion 51 serves as a leg portion of the saddle 54 (see FIG. 1).

The rear shaft portion 51 includes a rear main shaft 51a, a rotation shaft portion 51b, and a positioning cam 51d. The rear main shaft 51a may be either a hollow tube or a solid tube. A rotation shaft portion 51b and a positioning cam 51d are provided at the lower end of the rear main shaft 51a (see FIG. 7). The rotation shaft portion 51b is provided at the lower end of the rear main shaft 51a so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction, and the rear main shaft 51a and the rotation shaft portion 51b form a substantially inverted T shape [FIG. 7(D) )reference〕.

It is rotatably supported within the casing 52a of the rotation operation section 52. The casing 51 is a casing formed into a substantially triangular rice ball shape when viewed from the side of the assisted bicycle, and an elliptical assist electric motor 61 that bulges upward and downward at the rear casing portion 32 of the central diagonal column 3 is mounted inside. It is installed at the top of the power chamber. The casing 51 is configured to be formed substantially integrally with the rear housing portion 32. As a result, the rear strut 5 and the saddle 54 are located approximately directly above the assist motor 61, and the position where the weight of the assist bicycle is most affected is approximately in the middle of the entire length of the assist bicycle, allowing stable running.

Positioning cams 51d, 51d are provided on both sides of the rotating shaft portion 51b in the axial direction [see FIG. 7(D)]. Both positioning cams 51d, 51d have the same shape. The positioning cam 51d has a substantially fan shape, and has two fitting recesses 51e and 51f. The positioning cam 51d rotates together with the rotation shaft portion 51b (see FIG. 7).

Specifically, rotation projections 51c are formed at both ends of the rotation shaft portion 51b in the axial direction, and a shaft support hole 52b for pivotally supporting the rotation projection 51c is formed in the casing 52a. The rotation protrusion 51c of the shaft portion 51b is pivotally supported by the shaft support hole 52b of the casing 52a [see FIGS. 7(A) to (C)], and the rear shaft portion 51 is rotated so that it can be in an upright state and a collapsed state. [See Figure 7(D)].

Further, an opening 52c is formed in the rear side surface of the casing 52a, from which the rear shaft portion 51 of the rear column 5 and the free rotation end side of the positioning lever 53 respectively project. Here, the upright state of the rear shaft portion 51 is a steeply inclined upright state in which the axial direction of the rear main shaft 51a of the rear shaft portion 51 is nearly vertical and the upper portion thereof is inclined toward the rear side. Further, the rear shaft portion 51 may be vertical. In addition, the state in which the rear shaft portion 51 falls down refers to a state in which the rear main shaft 51a falls down and approaches the central diagonal support 3 of the assisted bicycle when it is running or just before running [Fig. 1(A), See Figure 2(B)]. When the central diagonal support column 3 is installed in a gently inclined state, the rear shaft portion 51 is also in a gently inclined state [see FIG. 2(B)].

The rotation operation section 52 is provided with a positioning lever 53 inside the casing 52a. The positioning lever 53 has fitting protrusions 53b protruding from both sides of the lever plate 53a in the width direction (see FIG. 7). The lever plate 53a is housed in the casing 52a so as to be able to freely rotate in the vertical direction, and a rotation center shaft 53c is provided at the end portion of the lever plate 53a, which is the center of rotation. The rotation center shaft 53c is pivotally supported inside and above the rear casing part 32 of the central diagonal column 3, and the free end side of the lever plate 53a partially protrudes from inside the casing 52a to the outside of the casing 52a. The positioning lever 53 is configured to be operable from both sides. A portion of the lever plate 53a that protrudes outward from the casing 52a is referred to as an operating end portion 53d.

Further, the positioning lever 53 is equipped with a positioning resilient member 53e such as a coil spring, and the operating end 53d of the positioning lever 53 is always elastically biased upward by the positioning resilient member 53e. 53b, 53b is configured to maintain and fix the fitted state in the fitting recess 51e or fitting recess 51f of the positioning cam 51d. The positioning elastic member 53e is configured to be supported by the positioning lever 53 and the receiving recess 32b formed on the upper surface of the rear housing portion 32 of the central diagonal column 3 (see FIG. 7). Here, the fitting recess 51e is an upright position recess into which the fitting protrusion 53b fits when the rear shaft section 51 is upright, and the fitting recess 51f is a falling position recess into which the rear shaft section 51 is fitted when the rear shaft section 51 falls down. This is the part where the mating protrusion 53b fits.

The fitting protrusion 53b is brought into a fitting state by being inserted into the fitting recess 51e, which is the upright position recess, or the fitting recess 51f, which is the tilted position recess, of the positioning cam 51d. The positioning cam 51d is fixed by fitting the fitting protrusion 53b into either the fitting recess 51e or the fitting recess 51f. The two fitting recesses 51e and 51f of the positioning cam 51d can set the rear shaft portion 51 in two fixed states with respect to the central diagonal support 3: standing up and falling down.

In other words, when the central diagonal column 3 is set in a gently inclined shape and the fitting protrusion 53b of the positioning lever 53 is fitted into the fitting recess 51e which is the upright position recess, the rear shaft of the rear column 5 The portion 51 is fixed in a steeply inclined upright position [see FIG. 7(A)]. Further, when the fitting protrusion 53b of the positioning lever 53 is fitted into the fitting recess 51f which is the tilted position recess, the rear shaft portion 51 of the rear column 5 is fixed in a gently inclined tilted state [FIG. (C)].

When releasing the mating state between the fitting recess 51e or 51f of the positioning cam 51d and the fitting protrusion 53b of the positioning lever 53, the operation end 53d protruding to the outside of the casing 52a is pushed down. As a result, the fitting between the fitting recess 51e or the fitting recess 51f and the fitting protrusion 53b is released, and the rear shaft portion 51 (rear main shaft 51a) can be rotated to stand up and fall down [FIG. 7(B) )reference〕. The operating end 53d of the positioning lever 53 can be rotated by hand, but can also be rotated by stepping on it with a foot, in other words, the positioning lever 53 can be used as a foot lever.

Then, by bringing the fitting recess 51e and the fitting protrusion 53b into a fitted state while the rear shaft portion 51 is in a tilted state with respect to the central diagonal column 3, the rear shaft portion 51 is in a tilted state with respect to the central diagonal column 3. The rear shaft portion 51 is fixed in a gently inclined state [see FIG. 2(B)], and the driver can hold the rear shaft portion 51 in his hand and raise the rear shaft portion 51 from the gently inclined state toward the vertical direction. Therefore, the central diagonal column 3 which is in a gently inclined state can be raised together with the rear shaft portion 51, and the central diagonal column 3 can be brought into a steeply inclined upright state. Then, the central diagonal support 3 and the rear shaft portion 51 can be brought into an upright state while forming a substantially V-shaped folded state in a symmetrical and steeply sloping upright state [FIG. 2 ( See C), (D)]. When the assisted bicycle of the present invention is assembled (during running or just before running), the front shaft tube portion 11 of the front strut 1 and the rear shaft portion 51 of the rear strut 5 are in a substantially balanced state. is preferable [see FIG. 1(A)].

There is an embodiment in which the rear shaft portion 51 is provided with a handshake portion 55 (see FIG. 8). The handshake portion 55 is provided on the rear side of the rear shaft portion 51, and specifically, the handshake portion 55 is provided on the side surface that is rearward when the rear shaft portion 51 is in an upright state [Fig. See A). The handshake portion 55 is a part that facilitates the operation of the driver when completing the assembly so that the vehicle can be driven and when completing the folding. The handshake section 55 is used when the rear shaft section 51 which is in an upright state with respect to the central diagonal column 3 is brought into a collapsed state via the positioning lever 53, and when the rear shaft section 51 is brought into an upright state together with the central diagonal column 3. Furthermore, the driver can easily and efficiently perform these operations by holding the handgrip 55 in his/her hand (see FIG. 8(B)).

The handshake part 55 has a substantially "U" shape (see FIG. 8(C)), and a substantially inverted "L" shape (see FIG. 8(D)). The handshake portion 55 facilitates the work of bringing the rear main shaft 51a of the rear shaft portion 51 into a collapsed state and an upright state with respect to the central diagonal column 3. Particularly, in the step of changing the assisted bicycle of the present invention from when it is running or just before it is being run to when it is fully folded, the rear shaft part 51 is locked in a tilted state with respect to the central diagonal support 3, and the rear shaft part 51 is held together with the rear shaft part 51 as it is. The handshake portion 55 becomes extremely effective when the central diagonal support column 3 is erected.

Further, the saddle 54 is provided with a saddle shaft portion 54a, and the saddle shaft portion 54a is inserted into the hollow rear shaft portion 51 along the axial direction. A saddle shaft fixing portion 54b is provided at the upper end of the rear shaft portion 51, and is capable of tightening and fixing the saddle shaft portion 54a in a cradling manner (see FIG. 1). The saddle shaft portion 54a is structured such that it can slide in the axial direction with respect to the rear shaft portion 51 and can be fixed at a predetermined position. It is preferable that an eccentric cam clamp lever is used as the saddle shaft fixing part 54b.

The saddle shaft fixing part 54b, which is an eccentric cam clamp lever, changes the inner diameter of the upper end of the rear shaft part 51, thereby tightening and unfastening the saddle shaft fixing part 54b. 54 height position can be adjusted. The eccentric cam clamp lever as the saddle shaft fixing part 54b is the same as the eccentric cam clamp lever of the tightening shaft 22 of the connection support 2, and please refer to the description of the tightening tool 22.

Next, an upper stopper portion 11a is provided near the upper end of the front shaft tube portion 11 of the front shaft portion 1 [see FIG. 1(C)]. The upper stopper portion 11a serves to restrict the upward movement range of the connecting support 2 in the range in which it moves up and down with respect to the front shaft tube portion 11 during assembly and folding operations of the assisted bicycle, and to stop it at the upper limit position. [See Figure 6(A)].

That is, the upper stopper part 11a stops the upward movement of the front strut holding part 21 of the connecting support 2 in the process of folding the assisted bicycle, and moves the connecting support 2 upward with respect to the front shaft tube part 11. This prevents it from falling off (falling off). The upper stopper portion 11a fixes the position of the connecting support 2 below the front axle tube portion 11, thereby ensuring stability during assembly and running of the assisted bicycle. The upper stopper part 11a is an annular member and is fixed to the upper end position of the front shaft tube part 11. The upper stopper portion 11a is made of metal or synthetic resin.

The front shaft tube portion 11 of the front strut 1 is provided with a lower stopper portion 11b near the bottom that stops the downward movement of the front strut clamping portion 21 of the connecting support 2 [FIGS. 5(B) and 5(C)] reference〕. The lower stopper portion 11b is a portion that serves to prevent the connection support 2 from falling too far below the front shaft tube portion 11 and to stop the connection support 2 with respect to the front shaft tube portion 11. The lower stopper portion 11b allows the connecting support 2 to be fixed in position below the front axle tube portion 11, thereby ensuring stability during assembly and running of the assisted bicycle. The lower stopper portion 11b may be formed by providing a stepped portion with a larger shaft diameter below the front shaft tube portion 11, or the lower stopper portion 11b may be attached as a separate member from the front shaft tube portion 11. .

Next, the steps from when the assisted bicycle of the present invention is assembled to when it is folded will be explained mainly based on FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the steps from the running state to the fully folded state in the assisted bicycle of the present invention. First, FIG. 2(A) shows the state when assembly is completed, that is, the state in which the vehicle is ready to travel (the state immediately before traveling). At this time, the central diagonal column 3 is installed in a gently inclined manner, and the front column 1 and the rear column 5 are in a steeply inclined upright state.

From this state, the attachment/detachment operation lever 25 of the connection support 2 is operated to release the connection state of the attachment/detachment connection portion 24, and the connection support 2 and the 24 attachment/detachment connection portions of the central diagonal column 3 are separated. As a result, the connection support 2 and the central diagonal column 3 are connected only by the pivot connection part 23, and the front column 1 and the central diagonal column 3 are connected in an inverted V-shape (or Δ-shape) via the pivot connection part 23. It can be bent into a shape (shape).

Next, the rear shaft portion 51 of the rear column 5 is operated by the positioning lever 53 of the rotation operation portion 52, and the rear shaft portion 51 is changed from the steeply inclined upright state to the gently inclined central diagonal column 3. 2 (B) and 7 (C)]. Here, the rear shaft portion 51 is in a gently inclined tilted state, and the fitting protrusion 53b of the positioning lever 53 is fitted into the fitting recess 51f which is the tilted position recess, and the rear shaft portion 51 of the rear column 5 is fixed to the central diagonal support 3 so as to be substantially integrated in a collapsed state [see FIGS. 2(B) and 7(C)]. Next, the driver raises the rear shaft portion 51 of the rear strut 5 by holding the rear shaft portion 51 in his hand, and raises the rear strut 5 and the central diagonal strut 3 from a gently sloped state to a steeply sloped upright state. state [see Figure 2 (C) and Figure 7 (A)].

In this process of raising the central diagonal column 3 from a gently inclined state to a steeply inclined upright state, the connecting support 2 pivotally connected to the central diagonal column 3 moves in the axial direction of the front shaft tube part 11 of the front column 1. [See Figures 2(B) and (C)]. At this time, the front shaft tube part 11 and the central diagonal column 3 are symmetrical and in an upright state with a steep inclination via the pivot connection part 23 of the connection support 2 in an inverted V-shape (or Δ-shape). folded into. Further, the rising position of the connecting support 2 with respect to the front shaft tube section 11 is regulated by the upper stopper section 11a, and the connecting support 2 is stopped at an appropriate position above the front shaft tube section 11 in the axial direction. , This completes the folding of the assisted bicycle according to the present invention [see FIGS. 1(B) and 2(D)].

In addition, in the step of changing the assisted bicycle from the time of completion of folding to the time of completion of assembly in which it can run, the connection support 2 is lowered along the front shaft tube portion 11 of the front strut 1 as it is. At this time, the front side of the central diagonal column 3 also descends together with the connecting support 2, and the central diagonal column 3 moves from a steeply inclined upright state to a gently inclined state. Then, the front side is lowered to a position where the central diagonal column 3 can travel. At this time, the connecting support 2 comes into contact with the lower stopper portion 11b of the front strut 1, and the downward movement of the connecting support 2 is stopped.

The rear strut 5 moves together with the central diagonal strut 3, and enters a gently inclined state together with the central diagonal strut 3 which is in a gently tilted state. Then, the positioning lever 53 is operated to raise the rear strut 4 to a steeply inclined upright position. Then, in the rear shaft portion 51, the fitting protrusion 53b of the positioning lever 53 is fitted into the fitting recess 51e which is the upright position recess, and the rear shaft portion 51 of the rear column 5 is in the upright position with respect to the central diagonal column 3. is fixed. The saddle 54 attached to the rear shaft portion 5 is put into use (see FIGS. 1(A) and 2(A)). As a result, the assisted bicycle is assembled and ready to travel.

1...Front strut, 11...Front shaft tube part, 11a...Upper stopper part,
12...Handle shaft portion, 13...Front fork, 2...Connection support,
21... Front strut holding part, 23... Pivotal connection part, 24... Detachable connection part,
25... Attachment/detachment operation lever, 25k... Locking protrusion, 26... Collar member,
3... Central diagonal column, 32... Rear housing section, 34... Rear fork, 4... Buffer,
41... Cylinder, 42... Piston rod, 5... Rear strut, 51... Rear shaft portion,
51b...Rotating shaft part, 51d...Positioning cam, 51e...Fitting recessed part,
53... Positioning lever, 53b... Fitting protrusion, 54... Saddle, 55... Handshake part,
62...Storage battery, 71...Small front wheel, 72...Small rear wheel, 8...Handle.

Claims (6)

A front strut consisting of a central diagonal strut in which an assist motor and a storage battery are installed, a front shaft tube section and a handle shaft section installed inside the front shaft tube section, and a small front wheel provided at the lower end of the handle shaft section. A front fork that is pivotally supported, a front strut holding part that clamps the front strut, a pivot connecting part that is always connected to the front end side of the central diagonal strut, a detachable connecting part that can be attached and detached, the detachable connecting part and the central diagonal column. a connecting support having an attachment/detachment operation lever for attachment and detachment; a collar member made of synthetic resin and installed on the inner circumferential side of the front strut holding part and into which the front shaft tube part is inserted; and the handle shaft. A handle attached to the central diagonal column, a rear fork provided at the lower end of the central diagonal column and pivotally supporting a small rear wheel, and a rear fork that is fixed to the central diagonal column in an upright position and a collapsed position, respectively. a rear strut having a shaft portion and a saddle;
When traveling or just before traveling, the central diagonal strut has a gently sloped shape that descends from the front side to the rear side, and the front strut and the rear strut are upright;
The assisted bicycle is characterized in that when the folding is completed, the central diagonal column and the rear column have a substantially V-shape, and the central diagonal column and the front column have a substantially inverted V-shape. 2. The assist bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the assist electric motor is housed in an elliptical rear housing portion that bulges upwardly and downwardly and is formed toward the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the central diagonal column, and the rear column is An assisted bicycle characterized by being provided in the rear housing section. 3. The assisted bicycle according to claim 1, wherein a rotation shaft portion is provided at the lower end of the rear strut, a positioning cam having two fitting recesses is provided on the rotation shaft portion, and the rotation shaft portion is provided with a positioning cam having two fitting recesses. is rotatably supported by the central diagonal column, and the central diagonal column is provided with a positioning lever having a fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting recess of the positioning cam. An assisted bicycle characterized in that the rear strut is fixed in an upright or reclining position by a positioning lever. The assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cylinder and a piston rod are provided at a detachable connection portion between the connecting support and the front side of the central diagonal column and between the connecting support and the central diagonal column. The piston rod includes a shock absorber that protrudes from and retracts from the cylinder, and each axial outer end of the cylinder and the piston rod is pivotally connected between the connection support and the central diagonal column. An assisted bicycle that is characterized by: 3. The assisted bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting support is arranged at an arbitrary position near the upper end of the front shaft tube of the front strut so that the connecting support is arranged upwardly along the front shaft tube when the folding is completed. An assisted bicycle characterized by being provided with an upper stopper portion for stopping movement. The assisted bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a locking protrusion is formed on the lower surface of the swinging free end side of the attachment/detachment operation lever, and when the central diagonal column and the front column are completely folded, An assisted bicycle characterized in that the locking protrusion of the attachment/detachment operation lever locks onto the front end of the central diagonal column to maintain the fully folded state.

Images