Abstract:
An electric bicycle having a front cover unit for housing a controller having an indicator is provided. The front cover unit is attached to the body of the electric bicycle substantially near a steering shaft. The controller can be attached to an interior portion of the front cover unit. The indicator can be attached to the controller and can be exposed through a window in the front cover unit. The front cover unit can comprise a front surface cover member and a rear surface cover member. The front surface cover member can be attached to and detached from the rear surface cover member. The rear surface cover member can have a first recessed portion having a first window for exposing the indicator and a second recessed portion having a second window for exposing a power switch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-195797, filed Jul. 5, 2005, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an electric bicycle and, in particular, to an electric bicycle with a pedal section for inputting a drive force and an electric motor for generating a drive force.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     An electric bicycle can have a pedal section for inputting a driving force from a rider and an electric motor for generating a driving force. An operation box having a switch and an electrically operative indicator can be generally disposed adjacent to a coupling portion of the electric bicycle. The coupling portion couples a head tube and a down tube with each other near a fore end of the bicycle. As a result, this configuration allows the rider to readily operate the switch or easily watch the indicator while riding the electric bicycle.  
         [0006]     Electric bicycles also commonly have a controller. The controller adjusts the electric power supplied to the electric motor from a battery and controls a rotational speed of the electric motor. In such electric bicycles, the controller can be disposed adjacent to a pedal crankshaft near the pedal section which is near an aft end of the bicycle. A wire harness, which is formed from a plurality of wires, connects the controller (disposed at an aft end of the bicycle) to the operation box (disposed at a fore end of the bicycle). Such constructions are taught, for instance, by Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-2000-261911.  
         [0007]     The type of electric bicycle described above has a number of shortcomings. For example, a container is used to house both the operation box and the controller of the electric bicycle in order to protect these components from external elements, such as water and dust. However, in the electric bicycles discussed above, the operation box and the controller are spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the operation box and the controller each require an individual housing container. Consequently, the number of components used to construct prior art electric bicycles is increased which can result in increased manufacturing and production costs. In addition, the structural components necessary to individually attach the operation box and the controller to the body of the bicycle likewise is increased. Again, the number of parts required to construct these electric bicycles is unnecessarily increased which can result in increased production costs. Another shortcoming of prior art electric bicycles is that the wire harness connecting the operation box to the controller is typically relatively long because the operation box and the controller are spaced a significant distance from each other on the electric bicycle. As a result, installation and placement of the wire harness can be problematic.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the present invention is to provide an electric bicycle having a front cover unit housing at least a controller and an indicator so that the number of components of the electric bicycle is reduced thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing and producing the electric bicycle.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention involves an electric bicycle comprising a body having a frame. A steering shaft is disposed substantially near a fore end of the bicycle. The steering shaft is pivotable about an axis defined by the steering shaft. Handlebars are coupled to the steering shaft for steering the bicycle. A pedal section is supported by the frame and is configured to input a drive force to provide forward translation of the bicycle. An electric motor for generating driving force is also supported by the frame. A battery for charging the electric motor is likewise supported by the frame. A controller is configured to control rotational torque produced by the electric motor. An indicator is coupled to the controller and is configured to visually indicate an operational condition of the bicycle. A front cover unit is disposed substantially near the steering shaft. The front cover unit defines an interior space that contains the controller and the indicator at least partially therein.  
         [0010]     Another aspect of the present invention also involves an electric bicycle comprising a body having a frame. The frame is supported by a wheel which rotates about a generally horizontal axis. A steering shaft is disposed substantially near a fore end of the bicycle and is pivotable about an axis defined by the steering shaft. Handlebars are coupled to the steering shaft for steering the bicycle. A seat is supported by the frame and is configured to seat at least one rider. A pedal section is also supported by the frame and is configured to input a driving force to provide forward translation of the bicycle. An electric motor is configured to generate a driving force. A battery is configured to charge the electric motor and is likewise supported by the frame. A controller is configured to control rotational torque produced by the electric motor. An indicator is coupled to the controller. A front cover unit is disposed substantially near the steering shaft. The front cover unit defines an interior space that contains the controller and the indicator at least partially therein. In addition, the front cover unit comprises a front surface cover member and a rear surface cover member. In this embodiment, the front surface cover member is coupled to the rear surface cover member.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the present invention involves an electric bicycle comprising a body having a frame. The frame is supported by a wheel which rotates about a generally horizontal axis. A steering shaft is disposed substantially near a fore end of the bicycle and is pivotable about an axis defined by the steering shaft. Handlebars are coupled to the steering shaft. A seat is supported by the frame and is configured to seat at least one rider. A pedal section is also supported by the frame for inputting driving force to provide forward translation of the bicycle. An electric motor for generating driving force is also supported by the frame. A battery for charging the electric motor is likewise supported by the frame. A controller is provided for controlling rotational torque produced by the electric motor. An indicator is coupled to the controller. The indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes for indicating a charge condition of the battery. A front cover unit is disposed substantially near the steering shaft. The front cover unit defines an interior space that contains the controller and the indicator at least partially therein. In addition, the front cover unit comprises a front surface cover member and a rear surface cover member. The front surface cover member is coupled to the rear surface cover member. In this embodiment, the controller and the indicator are at least partially attached to an interior surface of the rear surface cover member of the front cover unit.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will now be described in connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely an example and is not intended to limit the invention. The drawings include nine figures.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an electric bicycle having a front cover unit configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of an upper portion of the electric bicycle having a front cover unit of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of an upper portion of the electric bicycle having a front cover unit of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the electric bicycle of  FIG. 1  showing an interior portion of the front cover unit.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the electric bicycle of  FIG. 1  showing the front cover unit without a front surface cover member.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the front cover unit of the electric bicycle of  FIG. 1  showing a controller attached to a rear surface cover member of the front cover unit.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the front cover unit of the electric bicycle of  FIG. 1  showing a power switch attached to a rear surface cover member of the front cover unit.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a controller having an indicator of the electric bicycle of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the controller having an indicator of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  shows an electric bicycle  10  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The electric bicycle  10  can include a pair of wheels including a front wheel  11  (disposed at a fore end of the bicycle) and a rear wheel  12  (disposed at an aft end of the bicycle), which are attached to a vehicle body  10   a  of the electric bicycle  10 . The vehicle body  10   a  can comprises a frame that provides structural support for several components of the electric bicycle  10 . Handlebars  14  can extend above a top portion of a front cover unit  13  which forms a front side portion of the vehicle body  10   a . A light  14   a  can be disposed in a central area of a front surface of the front cover unit  13 . A seat  16  can be positioned in a top area of a rear cover unit  15  which forms a rear side portion of the body  10   a . The seat  16  can be configured to seat at least one rider. A pedal section  17 , with which a rider inputs the driving force for the electric bicycle  10 , can be attached to the vehicle body  10   a  at a location generally below a front side of the rear cover unit  15 .  
         [0023]     At a front portion of the electric bicycle  10 , lower end portions of a front fork  18  can be bifurcated downward to journal the front wheel  11  for rotation. In other words, respective lower ends of the front fork  18  can support respective lateral ends of an axle  11   a  of the front wheel  11  for rotation. As a result, the front wheel  11  can rotate about a generally horizontal axis defined by its axle  11   a.    
         [0024]     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a top end portion of the front fork  18  can have a head pipe  19 . The head pipe  19  is coupled with a front end portion (e.g., a top end portion) of a down tube  21  which forms a portion of the structure of the vehicle body  10   a . A steering shaft  22  can extend through the head pipe  19  for pivotal movement about its axis. A lower end portion of the steering shaft  22  can be coupled with a center of the top end portion of the front fork  18 . A top end portion of the steering shaft  22  can protrude upward from a top end portion of the head pipe  19 . The handlebars  14  can be coupled with the top end portion of the head pipe  19 . Therefore, the rider can operate the handlebars  14  to pivot the steering shaft  22  about an axis thereof. Accordingly, the front wheel  11  can turn to the right or to the left in response to the pivotal movement of the steering shaft  22 .  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , left and right ends of the handlebars  14  individually have grips  23   a ,  23   b , respectively. In one embodiment, the grips  23   a ,  23   b  are fixed to the respective handlebars  14  so that the rider can hold them with his or her hands. The grip  23   b  can be pivotable about its axis to also function as an accelerator of the electric bicycle  10 . Brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  can be disposed adjacent to the respective grips  23   a ,  23   b  and can be disposed at least partially apart from the associated grips  23   a ,  23   b . When the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  are pulled up to the respective grips  23   a ,  23   b  by the rider of the electric bicycle  10 , the rotation of the front wheel  11  and the rear wheel  12  can be stopped.  
         [0026]     A potentiometer  23   c  can function as an acceleration detection device (or an accelerator operational amount detecting device) and can be disposed in the handlebars  14   d  adjacent to the grip  23   b  to detect a rotational operation amount of the grip  23   b . Brake switches  25   a ,  25   b  can function as brake operation detection devices (or as a brake operation detecting device) and can be connected to the respective brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  to detect whether the respective brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  are being operated at a particular time during operation of the electric bicycle  10 .  
         [0027]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , in the illustrated embodiment, the front cover unit  13  can be formed with a rear surface cover member  13   a  that defines a rear surface and a front surface cover member  13   b  that defines a front surface. In one embodiment, the rear surface cover member  13   a  and the front surface cover member  13   b  are coupled with each other by screws  26 . An internal space  27  can be defined between the rear and front surface cover members  13   a ,  13   b . The head pipe  19 , a portion of the down tube  21 , the steering shaft  22 , the controller  30 , the power switch  31 , and other components of the electric bicycle  10  can be disposed in the internal space  27  of the front cover unit  13 .  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , rectangular recessed portions  28   a ,  28   b  can be formed on both the right and left sides of the rear surface cover member  13   a  that interposes the head pipe  19  and the steering shaft  22 .  FIG. 5  shows an interior side of the rear surface cover member  13   a  viewed from a front location by removing the front surface cover member  13   b . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the recessed portions  28   a ,  28   b  project forward. Each recessed portion  28   a ,  28   b  can have a vertical front surface and four slant surfaces slantingly extending from four edge lines of the front surface to a primary surface of the rear surface cover member  13   a.    
         [0029]     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a window  29   a  can be formed in one of the slant surfaces that face upward and is positioned at the bottom of the recessed portion  28   a . Another window  29   b  can be formed in another slant surface that also faces upward and is positioned at the bottom of the recessed portion  28   b . In the illustrated embodiment of the electric bicycle  10 , a controller  30  having an indicator  32  can be fastened to an interior surface of the rear surface cover member  13   a  at a position adjacent to the window  29   a  so that the indicator  32  is exposed outside through the window  29   a . In another embodiment, a power switch  31  can be fastened to the interior surface to be exposed outside through the window  29   b.    
         [0030]     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the controller  30  can be a device that is configured to electrically control a drive system of the electric bicycle  10 . Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the controller  30  can have a pair of fastening pieces  30   b  disposed at bottom portions of one side of a controller body  30   a . Each of the fastening pieces  30   b  preferably has a screw hole. In addition, the controller  30  can have a pair of fastening pieces  30   c  disposed at top portions of another side of the controller body  30   a . In one embodiment, the indicator  32  is positioned at a top portion of the one side of the controller body  30   a . The controller body  30   a  can have a container that incorporates electronic parts which form the controller  30  and the indicator  32  in the interior thereof.  
         [0031]     A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  32   a  can be attached to a surface of the indicator  32  to indicate a charge condition of the battery  33 . The LEDs  32   a  can be arranged so that at least some of the LEDs  32   a  illuminate in accordance with the charge condition of the battery  33 . For example, if the battery  33  is sufficiently charged when the controller  30  is under the active condition, all the LEDs  32   a  will illuminate. When the charge amount of the battery  33  decreases, the LEDs  32   a  can deactivate and thus no longer be in an illuminated state. In one embodiment, the LEDs  32   a  deactivate one after another starting from the LED  32   a  positioned at the right side of the indicator  32 . Of course those of skill in the art will recognize that in modified embodiments the indicator  32  can be arranged in a variety of different manners and/or utilize different components for providing a visual indication of the charge condition of the battery  33 .  
         [0032]     In the illustrated embodiment of the electric bicycle  10 , a plurality of lead wires  34  are connected to the controller  30 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , a lead wire  34   a  can be connected to the potentiometer  23   c  and the brake switches  25   a ,  25   b , and a lead wire  34   b  can be connected to the power switch  31 . In addition, a lead wire  34   c  can be connected to the battery  33  and a lead wire  34   d  can be connected to the electric motor  35 . As seen in FIGS.  6  and  7 , a portion of the internal surface of the rear surface cover member  13   a  adjacent to the window  29   a  can have bosses  36  positioned at certain intervals. In one embodiment, screws  37  can be inserted into the screw holes of the fastening pieces  30   b ,  30   c  and screwed into the bosses  36 . As a result, the controller  30  can be fixed to the rear surface cover member  13   a . Advantageously, the screws  37  do not extend out of the rear surface cover member  13   a  and thus are not exposed to the exterior of the electric bicycle  10 .  
         [0033]     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the power switch  31  can be attached to a peripheral edge around the window  29   b  under a condition that a key receiving opening  31   a  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) is exposed and can be accessed by a rider of the electric bicycle  10 . Upon inserting a key  38  into the key receiving opening  31   a  and turning the key  38  in one particular direction, the controller  30  allows the battery  33  to supply power to the electric motor  35 . Meanwhile, upon turning the key  38  in an opposite direction, the controller  30  can prevent the battery  33  from supplying power to the electric motor  35 .  
         [0034]     A rear portion of the down tube  21 , whose front end portion is coupled with the head pipe  19 , can extend obliquely rearward downward from the coupling portion with the head pipe  19  and can curve to extend horizontally. A pair of rear frames (which are not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 9 ) can be coupled with a rear end portion of the down tube  21 . The rear frames can extend obliquely upward rearward in the rear cover unit  15 . The rear frames can be spaced apart from each other and respective rear ends thereof are coupled with each other. The battery  33  can be placed between the respective rear frames.  
         [0035]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a rear arm  39  can be coupled with the rear end portion of the down tube  21  through a coupling member. The rear arm  39  can have a pair of arm members extending generally parallel to each other and coupled with each other at respective front end portions. The rear arm  39  can extend rearward. Rear end portions of the respective arm members of the rear arm  39  can support respective lateral ends of the axle  12   a  of the rear wheel  12  for rotation. The rear wheel  12  thus is rotatable about an axis of the axle  12   a . Rear cushions  39   a  can extend between top ends of rear end portions of the respective arm members of the rear arm  39  and central portions of the respective rear frames. The rear end portions of the respective arm members of the rear arm  39  can be swingable by telescopic movements of the rear cushions  39   a.    
         [0036]     A transmission case  12   b  can be disposed in a center portion of the rear wheel  12 . In one embodiment, an electric motor  35 , reduction gears, and a drum brake are contained in the transmission case  12   b . The electric motor  35  can operate via the controller  30  in response to an operational amount of the grip  23   b  to generate the driving force for the rear wheel  12 . The electric motor  35  can stop its operation via the controller  30  when the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  are operated.  
         [0037]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a chain  17   b  can be wound around a sprocket of the pedal section  17  and a sprocket of the rear wheel  12 . When the rider rotates the pedals  17   a , the driving force of human power is transmitted from the pedal section  17  to the rear wheel  12  through the chain  17   b . The front wheel  11  and the rear wheel  12  can each have a brake. This brake, and the drum brake of the rear wheel  12 , can apply a braking force to the associated front wheel  11  and rear wheel  12  in response to respective operational amounts of the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b.    
         [0038]     A bottom of a front end of the seat  16  can be disposed above the rear cover unit  15  can be pivotable with a hinge coupling  16   a . In one embodiment, two spaces are defined in the interior of the rear cover unit  15 . A first space can be for placing the battery  33  and a second space can be for placing a helmet or the like. In this embodiment, the rear cover unit  15  opens upward when the seat  16  is pivoted upward about an axis of the hinge coupling  16   a . As a result, the rider can easily access the battery  33 , the helmet or similar items stored beneath the seat  16 . In addition, the rider can charge the battery  33  through the opening of the cover unit  15 . The electric bicycle  10  can also have a pivotable stand to keep the electric bicycle  10  standing in an upright configuration. In addition, the rear end portion of the down tube  21  and the pedal section  17  can be covered with a cover member.  
         [0039]     In one embodiment of use, when the rider uses the electric bicycle  10 , the rider sits on the seat  16 , inserts the key  38  into the key receiving opening  31   a  of the power switch  31  and turns it in a particular direction. As a result, the controller  30  is activated. The rider can check the charge condition of the battery  33  by looking at the indicator  32  because the indicator  32  can illuminate when the controller  30  is activated. Then, the rider puts his or her feet on the respective pedals  17   a . If the rider wants to operate the electric bicycle  10  as a bicycle on a horizontal road or on a down slope, the rider can rotate the pedals  17   a  to transmit driving force to the rear wheel  12 .  
         [0040]     When the rider wants to decrease the operating speed of the electric bicycle  10 , the rider can operate the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  to generate a braking force. Accordingly, the electric bicycle  10  decreases its speed in response to the respective operational amounts of the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b . If the rider wants to operate the electric bicycle  10  while having the electric motor  35  generate the driving force thereof (e.g., on an upslope or the like), the rider can operate the grip  23   b  in accordance with a desired speed. Under this condition, if the rider maintains his or her feet on the pedals  17   a  and does not rotate them, a one-way clutch disposed on the rear wheel  12  side prevents the rotation of the electric motor  35  from being transmitted to the pedals  17   a  through the chain  17   b . However, the rider can continue to rotate the pedals  17   a  with his or her own feet if the rider so chooses. Advantageously, when the electric motor  35  is operating, a relatively small force generated by the rider through the pedals can operate the electric bicycle  10  in a relatively high speed range.  
         [0041]     When the rider wants to decrease the operating speed of the electric bicycle  10  under the condition that the electric motor  30  rotates the rear wheel  12 , the rider can operate the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  so that the controller  30  controls the electric motor  35  to stop. After the electric motor  35  stops, the rider can continuously operate the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  to further decrease the speed in response to the respective operational amounts of the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b . When the rider wants to stop the running of the electric bicycle  10 , the rider turns the key  38  in the opposite direction to deactivate the controller  30 . Then, the rider pivots the stand downward toward the ground; therefore, the electric bicycle  10  can maintain an upright position with respect to the ground.  
         [0042]     If the indicator  32  indicates that the charge amount of the battery  33  has decreased, the rider can connect a charge cable to the battery  33  in order to charge the battery  33 . Specifically, the rider pivots the seat  16  so that the rear cover unit  15  opens upward. Then, the rider connects the battery  33  to the power source using the charge cable. During charging of the battery  33 , the seat  16  is lowered to close the interior spaces of the rear cover unit  15 . In one embodiment, the charge cable extends outside through a gap between the rear cover unit  15  and the seat  16 .  
         [0043]     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the indicator  32  is attached to the controller  30  and is placed in the interior of the front cover unit  13 . Thus, a single container can house both the indicator  32  and the controller  30  to protect each component from water and dust. This configuration provides several advantages over prior art bicycles having controllers and indicators housed in separate containers often a significant distance from one another on the electric bicycle. First, such a simple structure can protect the indicator  32  and the controller  30  and, at the same time, reduce production and manufacturing costs because the components in the electric bicycle are reduced by having a controller  30  having an indicator  32  housed in a single front cover unit. Second, manufacturing and productions costs associated with the present electric bicycle  10  can be further reduced because the wiring circuit connecting the indicator  32  and the controller  30  to each other can be relatively short since the indicator  32  is attached to the controller  30 . Third, specific members to which the indicator  32  and the controller  30  are fastened are not necessary since the indicator  32  and the controller  30  can be fastened to an interior portion of the front cover unit  13 . Advantageously, the fastening structure for the indicator  32  and the controller  30  thus can be simpler than those in prior art electric bicycles.  
         [0044]     In another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the rear surface cover member  13   a , which forms a rear portion of the front cover unit  13 , has the window  29   a . In this embodiment, the controller  30  is disposed in the internal space  27  of the front cover unit  13  with the indicator  32  exposed outside through the window  29   a . Advantageously, the rider can easily watch the indicator  32  while sitting on the seat  16 , and the controller  30  can be effectively protected from water and dust. In addition, the controller  30  can be fastened to the bosses  36  formed in the internal surface of the rear surface cover member  13   a  by the screws  37 . Accordingly, the screws  37  are not exposed outside of the front cover unit  13 . Advantageously, the aesthetic appearance of the front cover unit  13  is not affected by the presence of the screws  37 .  
         [0045]     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the front surface cover member  13   b  is detachably attached to the rear surface cover member  13   a  by the screws  26 . As a result, the controller  30  attached to the rear surface cover member  13   a  can be exposed outside by detaching the front surface cover member  13   b  from the rear surface cover member  13   a  (which is illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the controller  30  can be easily accessed for inspection, maintenance, repair, and the like. In addition, the indicator  32  does not protrude out of the rear surface cover member  13   a . Advantageously, the aesthetic appearance of the rear surface cover member  13   a  is not affected by the presence of the indicator  32  within the front cover unit  13  because the window  29   a , through which the indicator  32  is exposed outside, is formed in the surface of the recessed portion  28   a.    
         [0046]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 6 , and  7 , the rear surface cover member  13   a  can have a first recessed portion  28   a  and a second recessed portion  28   b  both transversely placed side by side so as to oppose each other. The second recessed portion  28   b  has a window  29   b  facing upward, and the power switch  31  can be placed in the window  29   b . According to this arrangement, the power switch  31  does not protrude out of the rear surface cover member  13   a . Advantageously, the aesthetic appearance of the rear surface cover member  13   a  is not affected by the presence of the power switch  31 . In addition, the power switch  31  and the controller  30  having the indicator  32  can be compactly arranged. Sufficient room for the rider can be secured because the power switch  31  is disposed in the recessed portion  28   b . Advantageously, the knee or knees of the rider will not touch the power switch  31  during operation of the electric bicycle  10 . In addition, the rider can easily operate the power switch  31  because the power switch  31  is positioned on the surface of the recessed portion  28   b  facing upward toward the rider of the electric bicycle  10 .  
         [0047]     In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 5 , the handlebars  14  have the grip  23   b  and the potentiometer  23   c , and the potentiometer  23   c  and the controller  30 , which is placed in the interior of the front cover unit  13 , connected to each other by the lead wire  34   a . Thereby, the lead wire  34   a  can be relatively short and can be easily installed. In addition, the handlebars  14  have the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  and the brake switches  25   a ,  25   b  for detecting that the brake levers  24   a ,  24   b  are operated. The brake switches  25   a ,  25   b  and the controller  30  can be connected to each other by the lead wire  34   a . Likewise, the lead wire  34   a  can be relatively short and can be easily installed.  
         [0048]     Certain features and aspects of the embodiment described above and can be modified in accordance with a rider&#39;s particular preferences. For example, in one embodiment discussed above, the charge condition of the battery  33  is indicated by the LEDs  32   a  of the indicator  32 . However, the indicator  32  can indicate various other operational conditions of the bicycle  10  other than the charge condition of the battery  33  including, for example, a vehicle speed and an on-off state of the light  14   a . Additionally, other visual indicators such as lamps or the like can replace the LEDs  32   a . Further, seal members can be inserted into the boundary portion between the peripheral edge of the window  29   a  and the indicator  32  or the boundary portion between the peripheral edge the window  29   b  and the power switch  31  to sufficiently seal the boundary portions.  
         [0049]     In the embodiments described above, the indicator  32  can be exposed outside through the rear surface cover member  13   a . However, the indicator  32  can also be exposed outside through the front surface cover member  13   b . The fasteners that fasten the controller  30  to the front cover unit  13  are not limited to the screws  37 . Any other fasteners can be used if they are usable for fastening the controller  30  to the front cover unit  13 . In addition, other portions of the electric bicycle can be properly modified or varied within the technical scope of the present invention.  
         [0050]     Various components are described as being “connected” or “operatively connected”. It should be appreciated that this is a broad term that includes physical connections (e.g., electrical wires) and non-physical connections (e.g., radio or infrared signals). It should also be appreciated that “connected” or “operatively connected” includes direct connections and indirect connections (e.g., through an additional intermediate device).  
         [0051]     Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.