Braking device for a bicycle and braking system for a bicycle

A bicycle braking system includes a server, a portable device such as a smartphone, a display unit, a control unit, a power supply unit, a rotating electrical machine, and a bicycle. The portable device includes an image display unit, a braking condition transmitting unit, and a braking condition setting unit. The control unit regeneratively brakes the bicycle using the rotating electrical machine in accordance with the braking condition set by the braking condition setting unit. The braking system enables a non-user to set braking conditions for the bicycle and to perform braking based on the conditions set by the non-user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a braking device and a braking system for a bicycle.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a device is known in which a smartphone is attached to a bicycle and in which information about a driving member of the bicycle is displayed on the smartphone (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, the speed of a vehicle and the like are displayed on a smartphone.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: JP 2016-523203 A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the user himself sets various types of bicycle functions on the smartphone screen, the bicycle cannot be braked on the basis of information set by other than the user. It is an object of the present invention to allow other than the user to set the braking condition of the bicycle and to brake the bicycle based on the condition set by other than the user.

Means of Solving the Problem

A bicycle braking device according to the present invention includes a braking unit that brakes a wheel of the bicycle, and a control unit that controls the braking unit based on a braking condition set outside the bicycle. Thus, the braking device for the bicycle can be controlled based on the braking conditions set by other than the bicycle user. For example, a guardian of a bicycle user (such as a young person) can externally set a braking condition and brake the bicycle based on the set braking condition. As a result, it is possible for the bicycle to be operated at a set speed, and it is possible to prevent an accident by a young user.

The braking device for a bicycle includes a communication unit that transmits the traveling state of the bicycle to the outside when the braking unit brakes according to the braking condition, whereby the traveling state of the bicycle when the bicycle is braked according to the braking condition is transmitted to the outside. As a result, for example, a guardian of a young user, an insurance company, or the like can ascertain the situation of the user of the bicycle.

The braking device for a bicycle further includes a position information specifying unit for specifying the position of the bicycle. The braking condition includes the position information of the bicycle, and the control unit brakes the bicycle when the bicycle is in a predetermined position. This enables the bicycle to be braked and reduced to a safe speed when the user enters a predetermined location such as an intersection, a sidewalk, or a dangerous road. As a result, for example, the user's guardian can limit the user's path and speed.

The braking unit is a rotating electrical machine capable of regenerative braking, and the control unit performs regenerative control of the rotating electrical machine. As a result, speed limitation can be performed without hard braking.

A bicycle braking system for braking a bicycle wheel includes a braking unit for braking a bicycle wheel, a braking condition setting unit for setting a braking condition of the bicycle, a control unit for receiving the braking condition and controlling the braking unit, and a communication unit for transmitting a traveling state of the bicycle when braking is performed according to the braking condition to a server. With this structure, it is possible to brake the bicycle based on the braking conditions set by other than the user of the bicycle. As a result, for example, a guardian of a young user of the bicycle can set the braking condition externally and operate the bicycle based thereon. Therefore, the bicycle can be operated at a safe speed to prevent an accident. Furthermore, since the traveling state of the bicycle when braking is performed according to the braking condition is transmitted to the server, it is possible to accumulate in the server information on locations where an accident is likely to occur, such as locations where the speed of the bicycle is likely to become high. As a result, information can be used for accident prevention and calculation of an insurance rate.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, a bicycle can be braked based on conditions set by other than the user.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown inFIG. 1, a bicycle braking system2includes a server4, a portable device6, a display unit7, a control unit8, a power supply unit9, a rotating electrical machine10, and a bicycle12.

The server4functionally includes an information receiving unit42. The server4can be configured by any of hardware, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when the server4is configured by software, the information receiving unit42is configured to include a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The information receiving unit42is realized by operating a program which is stored in a recording medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory.

As shown inFIG. 2, the portable device6includes an image display unit62, a braking condition transmitting unit63, a braking condition setting unit65, and a wireless communication unit67. The portable device6includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I/O interface and a GPS (Global Positioning System), and a wireless communication device such as a 3G or Bluetooth device (registered trademark). It controls each part by software. The portable device6is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or the like. In the present embodiment, the portable device6is a smartphone and is assumed to be possessed by a third party such as a guardian of the user of the bicycle12.

As shown inFIG. 3, an application according to this embodiment of the present invention is stored in the ROM of the portable device6. When the application is started, a screen on which a braking condition to be applied to the bicycle12can be entered is displayed on the image display unit62. According to this embodiment of the present invention, for example, an icon64meaning that “the speed of the bicycle12will be limited to 3 km/h or less in the vicinity of intersections”, an icon66meaning that “the speed of the bicycle12will be limited to 5 km/h or less on sidewalks”, and an icon68meaning that “the speed of the bicycle12will be limited to 10 km/h or less on roadways” are displayed. When the user's guardian touches one of the icons, the braking condition is recorded in the braking condition setting unit65(seeFIG. 2) and is transmitted from the braking condition transmitting unit63(seeFIG. 2) to the control unit8via the wireless communication unit67.

As shown inFIG. 1, the bicycle12includes a front wheel122, a rear wheel124, a frame126, a handlebar128, and a drive mechanism130. The bicycle12is an ordinary bicycle, so a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 1, the display unit7is removably provided on the handlebar128. As shown inFIG. 2, the display unit7includes a liquid crystal display unit72and a power switch74. The liquid crystal display unit72displays, for example, the speed of the bicycle12. When the power switch74is pressed, the control unit8is activated.

As shown inFIG. 1, the control unit8is attached to the bicycle frame126. As shown inFIG. 2, the control unit8includes a communication unit82, a GPS (Global Positioning System)84which is a position information specifying unit, a storage unit86, a calculation unit88, and a motor driver90. The control unit8includes a microcomputer including CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and I/O interfaces, and wireless communication devices such as a 3G or Bluetooth device. It controls the respective units by software. The control unit8is electrically connected to the display unit7, the power supply unit9, a rotating electrical machine10which will be described below, and a rotation sensor101attached to the rotating electrical machine10.

As shown inFIG. 2, when the communication unit82receives a braking condition from the braking condition transmitting unit63, the communication unit82stores the braking condition in the storage unit86. In addition, the position and speed of the bicycle12when braking is started by the rotating electrical machine10are acquired from the calculation unit88and the position information specifying unit84and are transmitted to the server4. The position information specifying unit84specifies the position of the bicycle12, and collates information such as “intersection”, “walkway”, and “roadway” included in the braking condition with the map data stored in the storage unit86. The calculation unit88receives the result of collation from the position information specifying unit84, calculates an appropriate rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine10, converts the rotational speed to a control signal, and transmits the control signal to the motor driver90. The motor driver90controls the rotating electrical machine10at the speed calculated by the calculation unit88. Namely, when the speed of the bicycle12is faster than the braking condition transmitted from the braking condition transmitting unit63, the calculation unit88calculates the speed to which to decelerate in accordance with the braking condition and transmits the calculated speed, which is converted into a control signal, to the motor driver90. The motor driver90regenerates and brakes the rotating electrical machine10to decelerate the rotational speed.

As shown inFIG. 1, the power supply unit9is detachably attached to the frame126. The power supply unit9includes one or a plurality of battery cells (not shown). The power supply unit9is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. As shown inFIG. 2, the power supply unit9is electrically connected to the rotating electrical machine10via the motor driver90and stores electric power generated by regeneration of the rotating electrical machine10.

As shown inFIG. 1, the rotating electrical machine10(braking unit) is an in-wheel motor having a brushless DC motor (not shown) provided on a shaft portion of the front wheel122. As shown inFIG. 3, the rotating electrical machine10includes a rotation sensor101. The rotation sensor101is a Hall sensor composed of a Hall element. The rotation sensor101transmits the rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine10to the calculation unit88via the motor driver90. The calculation unit88calculates the speed of the bicycle12from the rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine10and displays the calculated speed on the display unit7. The rotating electrical machine10performs power running or regeneration in response to an instruction from the motor driver90. Namely, when the speed of the bicycle12is higher than the braking condition transmitted from the braking condition transmitting unit63, the rotating electrical machine10performs regeneration to decelerate the rotational speed. Therefore, the rotating electrical machine10serves as a braking portion.

Next, an example of the processing performed by the control unit8during braking control will be described with reference toFIG. 4. The control unit8starts a control operation when the power switch74is pressed. Here, the situation will be described in which the braking condition setting unit65sets the condition that “the speed of the bicycle12will be limited to 3 km/h or less in the vicinity of intersections”.

In step S1, the position information specifying unit84in the control unit8identifies the position of the bicycle12based on the condition set by the braking condition setting unit65and collates the position with the map information stored in the storage unit86.

In step S2, the control unit8judges whether the bicycle12is in the vicinity of an intersection by collating with the map. When the bicycle12is in the vicinity of an intersection (S2=YES), the control unit8proceeds from step S2to step S3. When the bicycle12is not in the vicinity of an intersection (S2=NO), the control unit8proceeds from step S2to step S1.

In step S3, the control unit8judges whether the speed of the bicycle12is equal to or higher than the speed set by the braking condition setting unit65. In the present embodiment, since the predetermined value is 3 km/h, if the speed of the bicycle12is 3 km/h or more (S3=YES), the control unit8proceeds from step S3to step S4. On the other hand, if the speed of the bicycle12is lower than 3 km/h (S3=NO), the control unit8proceeds to step S1.

In step S4, in order to brake the rotating electrical machine10regeneratively, the control unit8transmits the rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine10to the motor driver90by converting the rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine10to a control signal. In step S5, the control unit8transmits the speed and position of the bicycle12to the server4via the communication unit82and proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, as a result of braking the rotating electrical machine10regeneratively, if the speed of the bicycle12has become equal to or lower than a predetermined value (S6=YES), the control unit8proceeds to step S1. In the present embodiment, when the speed of the bicycle12has become 3 km/h or less, the control unit8proceeds to step S1. On the other hand, if the speed of the bicycle12is higher than the predetermined speed in step S6(S6=NO), the control unit8repeats the process of step S4to continue regenerative braking. In the present embodiment, when the speed of the bicycle12is higher than 3 km/h, the control unit8repeats the process of step S4to continue regenerative braking.

In the case where the braking condition setting unit65is set to “the speed of the bicycle12will be limited to 5 km/h or less on sidewalks” or “the speed of the bicycle12will be limited to 10 km/h or less on roadways”, the process proceeds in the same manner as in the above-described steps.

In this manner, since the control unit8controls the rotating electrical machine10based on the braking condition set by the portable device6, for example, the guardian of the user of the bicycle12can operate the bicycle12under the braking condition set by the portable device6. Thus, for example, the speed of the bicycle12at intersections can be automatically reduced. As a result, for example, the guardian of the user of the bicycle, such as a young person, can set the braking condition and operate the bicycle based on the braking condition. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an accident by operating the bicycle at a safe speed.

When regenerative braking occurs in the rotating electrical machine10based on the braking condition, the control unit8sends information concerning the speed and the position of the bicycle12to the server4. As a result, information such as a place where the speed of the bicycle12is too high is accumulated in the information receiving unit of the server4. As a result, data for ascertaining dangerous points such as intersections, sidewalks, and roadways can be accumulated. The data can also be used to calculate an insurance premium rate for a bicycle when, for example, the server4is a server of an insurance company.

Furthermore, since the rotating electrical machine10is used as the braking unit, the motor driver90can control rapid braking such that the front wheel122does not lock. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from falling.

Other Embodiments

(a) In the above embodiment, “intersections”, “sidewalks”, and “roadways” were given as examples, but the present invention is not limited to this mode, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. In particular, a plurality of embodiments and variations described in this specification can be freely combined as necessary.

(b) In the above embodiment, the rotating electrical machine10is used as a braking unit, but a hydraulic disc brake, for example, may be used. In this case, the hydraulic pressure which is supplied to the braking unit is controlled by the control unit.

(c) In the above embodiment, the speed of the bicycle12is displayed on the display unit72, but the present invention is not limited to this mode, and, for example, the fact that braking is taking place according to the braking condition may be displayed.

(d) In the above embodiment, the storage unit86and the calculation unit88are provided in the control unit8, but the storage unit86and the calculation unit88may be provided in the server4. Namely, in the above embodiment, the control unit8performs the processes from collation with the map information to conversion into a control signal, but these processes may be performed by the server4. In order to perform the processes from collation with the map information to conversion into a control signal on the server4, the braking condition is transmitted from the portable device6to the server4, the position information of the bicycle12is transmitted from the control unit8to the server4, and the control signal is transmitted from the server4to the control unit8. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the control unit8.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS