Electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide an electric vehicle which receives a reservation of a change of a travel mode during traveling.SOLUTION: An electric vehicle has a maximum speed to be set. The electric vehicle includes: an operation switch to be operated by a passenger of the electric vehicle; a change section which changes a set value of the maximum speed when the operation switch is operated; and a determination section which determines whether a prescribed change condition related to the change of the set value is established. When the operation switch is operated in a state where the change condition is not established, the change of the set value by the change section is reserved until the change condition is established after the operation switch is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Specially designated small motorized bicycles (such as electric kick scooters, hereafter referred to as "electric vehicles") are permitted to be ridden on sidewalks under driving conditions stipulated by law. For this reason, electric vehicles are usually equipped with two driving modes (roadway driving mode and sidewalk driving mode). The driving mode is selected by the rider of the electric vehicle. In other words, the electric vehicle controls each part so that the vehicle does not deviate from the driving conditions set for the driving mode selected by the rider.

[0003] The roadway driving mode (first mode) is a driving mode that is selected when the electric vehicle drives on a roadway or a bicycle path. The sidewalk driving mode (second mode) is a driving mode that is selected when the electric vehicle drives on a sidewalk. The maximum speed of the electric vehicle differs for each driving mode. In other words, when the driving mode of the electric vehicle is changed, the electric vehicle drives based on the maximum speed setting value that corresponds to the changed driving mode.

[0004] Control techniques relating to electric vehicles having driving modes have been proposed in the past (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Here, the Road Traffic Act prohibits changing the set value of the maximum speed while driving. In other words, changing the driving mode while driving is prohibited. Therefore, when a passenger wants to change the driving mode while driving, the passenger must first stop (stop) the electric vehicle. Then, the passenger must perform an operation to change the driving mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-42590 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle that enables smooth changing of driving modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The electric vehicle of the present invention is an electric vehicle in which a maximum speed is set, and comprises an operation switch operated by a passenger of the electric vehicle, a change unit that changes the set value of the maximum speed when the operation switch is operated, and a judgment unit that judges whether or not a predetermined change condition for changing the set value is satisfied, and is characterized in that when the operation switch is operated when the change condition is not satisfied, the change of the set value by the change unit is put on hold for the period from when the operation switch is operated until the change condition is satisfied. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention can provide an electric vehicle that enables smooth change of driving modes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of an electric vehicle according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the electric vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of a handle of the electric vehicle. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph showing a relationship between the speed of an electric vehicle and a set value of a maximum speed of the electric vehicle when an operation switch of the electric vehicle is operated while the electric vehicle is stopped. [Diagram 5] 5 is a graph showing a relationship between the speed of the electric vehicle and a set value of the maximum speed of the electric vehicle when an operation switch of the electric vehicle is operated while the electric vehicle is traveling. [Figure 6]5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electric vehicle when an operation switch of the electric vehicle is operated while the electric vehicle is stopped. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electric vehicle when an operation switch of the electric vehicle is operated while the electric vehicle is traveling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "the vehicle") according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In the following description, the vehicle is a specially designated small motorized bicycle (a so-called electric kickboard) for which a maximum speed is set. The vehicle has two driving modes (a roadway driving mode and a sidewalk driving mode).

[0013] Driving mode The roadway driving mode (first mode) is a driving mode that is selected when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway or a bicycle path. The sidewalk driving mode (second mode) is a driving mode that is selected when the vehicle is traveling on a sidewalk. The vehicle travels in the driving mode selected by the passenger.

[0014] The riding mode is changed from one riding mode to the other riding mode by the rider's selection. Specifically, the riding mode is changed from one of the first mode and the second mode to the other each time an operation for changing the riding mode is performed. However, the timing of the change of the riding mode is limited to when a predetermined change condition (hereinafter, "change condition") related to the change of the set value of the maximum speed described later is satisfied.

[0015] ● Maximum speed setting value The maximum speed of the vehicle differs for each driving mode. That is, when the driving mode of the vehicle is changed, the vehicle travels based on a maximum speed setting value corresponding to the changed driving mode. The maximum speed setting value (hereinafter referred to as "setting value") includes a first setting value and a second setting value different from the first setting value. The setting value in the first mode (first setting value) is 20Km / h. The setting value in the second mode (second setting value) is 6Km / h.

[0016] ●Change conditions The change condition is a condition necessary for changing the set value. The change condition in the present invention includes that the vehicle is stopped. The change condition in the present embodiment is that the vehicle 1 is stopped.

[0017] - Configuration of this vehicle FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the vehicle.

[0018] The vehicle 1 comprises a memory unit M, an operating switch 10, a maximum speed indicator light 11, a display 12, a sensor 13, a drive motor 14, a judgment unit 15, a change unit 16, a speed control unit 17, an alarm unit 18, and a control unit 19.

[0019] The memory unit M stores information necessary for the operation of the vehicle 1. The information necessary for the operation of the vehicle 1 includes the first set value V1 and the second set value V2, information indicating the driving mode selected by the passenger, the set value V (the first set value V1 or the second set value V2), and a change condition.

[0020] The driving modes selected by the passenger include a selected driving mode and a reserved (reserved) driving mode.

[0021] The selected driving mode is the driving mode currently set in the vehicle 1.

[0022] The pending driving mode is a driving mode for which a change by the change unit 16, which will be described later, is pending (the driving mode after the hold is released).

[0023] The operation switch 10 is a switch that is operated when the driving mode is changed. In other words, the operation switch 10 is a switch that is operated when the set value V is changed. That is, the driving mode is changed by the passenger of the vehicle 1 operating the operation switch 10.

[0024] The maximum speed indicator light 11 indicates the selected driving mode of the vehicle 1. The maximum speed indicator light 11 is lit when the selected driving mode is the first mode. The maximum speed indicator light 11 flashes when the selected driving mode is the second mode. The maximum speed indicator light 11 is turned off when the power source (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is turned off. The light color of the maximum speed indicator light 11 is green.

[0025] In addition, the color of the light of the maximum speed indicator lamp in the present invention may be changed to a color desired by the passenger by the notification unit.

[0026] The display 12 displays various information to be viewed by the passenger. The various information includes, for example, a driving mode selected by the passenger, a current speed (driving speed) of the vehicle 1, etc. The display format of the various information displayed on the display 12 includes, for example, characters, figures, etc.

[0027] The sensor 13 measures (detects) information used to determine whether the change condition is satisfied. The information measured by the sensor 13 is the number of rotations of the wheels of the vehicle 1.

[0028] The information measured by the sensor in the present invention may be any information that can be used to determine whether or not the change conditions are met, and may be, for example, the vehicle's running speed, the on / off state of the vehicle's power supply (not shown), the rotation speed of the drive motor of the vehicle, a pulse signal generated in response to the rotation of the drive motor of the vehicle, the pressure applied to the steering wheel of the vehicle, etc.

[0029] The drive motor 14 is a power source for the vehicle 1. The rotation of the drive motor 14 rotates the wheels of the vehicle 1, thereby enabling the vehicle 1 to move. The rotation speed of the wheels of the vehicle 1 is measured by a sensor 13.

[0030] The determination unit 15 periodically determines a predetermined state of the vehicle 1 based on information measured by the sensor 13 (in this embodiment, the number of rotations of the wheels of the vehicle 1). The predetermined state is, for example, whether or not a change condition is established, whether or not the vehicle 1 has been accelerated, whether or not the vehicle 1 has been decelerated, whether or not the speed of the vehicle 1 is at its maximum speed, etc. The details of the acceleration operation and the deceleration operation will be described later. In addition to the above-mentioned predetermined states, the judgment unit 15 periodically judges whether or not the operation switch 10 has been operated, whether or not the driving mode is reserved, and whether or not a change in the set value V is reserved.

[0031] When the operation switch 10 is operated, the change unit 16 changes the driving mode or reserves the change based on the determination result of the determination unit 15. In other words, when the operation switch 10 is operated, the change unit 16 changes the set value V or reserves the change based on the determination result of the determination unit 15.

[0032] The speed control unit 17 controls the traveling speed of the vehicle 1. The control of the traveling speed is based on the traveling mode. In other words, the speed control unit 17 controls the traveling speed based on a set value V. Specifically, the speed control unit 17 controls the traveling speed so that the traveling speed does not exceed the set value V stored in the memory unit M.

[0033] The notification unit 18 causes the maximum speed indicator light 11 to notify information indicating the selected driving mode of the vehicle 1. The notification unit 18 turns on / blinks or turns off the maximum speed indicator light 11. The notification unit 18 displays information indicating the driving mode selected by the passenger (at least one of the selected driving mode and the reserved driving mode) on the display 12. The notification unit 18 displays, for example, the driving speed and the set value V of the maximum speed on the display 12.

[0034] The notification unit in the present invention may change the color of the light of the maximum speed indicator. The notification unit in the present invention may display, on the display, the timing at which the driving mode will be changed (the next time the vehicle stops, etc.).

[0035] The control unit 19 detects that the operation switch 10 has been operated.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the steering wheel of the vehicle.

[0037] The handle H is composed of a right handle portion H1 to be held by the passenger's right hand, a left handle portion H2 to be held by the passenger's left hand, and a central portion H3 in which the display 12 is disposed.

[0038] In the drawing, a part of the right handle portion H1 is omitted. In the drawing, a part of the left handle portion H2 is omitted.

[0039] The right handle portion H1 is equipped with an operation switch 10, an accelerator (not shown), and a brake (not shown).

[0040] The left handle portion H2 is equipped with a brake (not shown).

[0041] The central portion H3 comprises the display 12 .

[0042] In addition, the central portion in the present invention may include, in addition to the display, operation buttons for operating, for example, direction indicators (not shown).

[0043] An accelerator (not shown) accelerates the vehicle 1. The accelerator (not shown) of the vehicle 1 may be, for example, a lever type or a thumb throttle type. A passenger of the vehicle 1 accelerates the vehicle 1 by operating the accelerator (not shown).

[0044] The brakes (not shown) slow down or stop the traveling vehicle 1. The brakes (not shown) of the vehicle 1 are, for example, lever-shaped. A passenger of the vehicle 1 operates the lever-shaped brake (not shown) to slow down or stop the vehicle 1.

[0045] The acceleration operation is an operation by the passenger to accelerate the vehicle 1. The acceleration operation is, for example, an operation by the passenger to move a lever-type accelerator (not shown) of the vehicle 1 in the accelerating direction.

[0046] The deceleration operation is an operation by the passenger to decelerate the vehicle 1. For example, the deceleration operation is an operation by the passenger to apply the brake (not shown) of the vehicle 1. For example, the deceleration operation is an operation by the passenger to release the accelerator (not shown) of the vehicle 1. For example, the deceleration operation is an operation by the passenger to return the accelerator (not shown) of the vehicle 1 to a speed lower than the current traveling speed. The deceleration operation may be a combination of two or more of these operations (applying the brake, releasing the accelerator, and releasing the accelerator).

[0047] This figure shows that the operation switch 10 is disposed on the right handle portion H1.

[0048] The operation switch 10 is operated when a passenger wishes to select a driving mode. The operation of selecting a driving mode by the passenger is manual (e.g., pressing). That is, for example, when a passenger wishes to select a driving mode, the passenger presses the operation switch 10 with the thumb of his / her right hand.

[0049] The figure shows that the display 12 is disposed in the central portion H3.

[0050] The display 12 displays information indicating the driving mode selected by the passenger (the selected driving mode and the pending driving mode). That is, the information indicating the driving mode selected by the passenger is displayed on the display 12 by the notification unit 18.

[0051] The display in the present invention may display only one of the information indicating the selected driving mode and the information indicating the pending driving mode, i.e., for example, the display displays only the information indicating the selected driving mode or only the information indicating the pending driving mode.

[0052] The display in the present invention may display both information indicating the selected driving mode and information indicating the reserved driving mode.

[0053] Furthermore, the display in the present invention may light up one of the information indicating the selected driving mode and the information indicating the reserved driving mode, and flash the other. That is, for example, the display may light up the information indicating the selected driving mode, and flash the information indicating the reserved driving mode.

[0054] ● Relationship between setting value and maximum speed (1) FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the speed of the vehicle and the set value of the maximum speed of the vehicle when an operation switch of the vehicle is operated while the vehicle is stopped. In the figure, the vertical axis indicates speed (Km / h) and the horizontal axis indicates time. The figure shows that the first set value V1 is 20 Km / h. The figure shows that the second set value V2 is 6 Km / h.

[0055] The figure shows an example in which the operation switch 10 is operated while the vehicle 1 is stopped. The driving mode at the start of the vehicle 1 is the first mode. That is, the set value V at the start of the vehicle 1 is the first set value V1.

[0056] This figure shows that a passenger of the vehicle 1 operates the operation switch 10 between time T4 and time T5. That is, the operation switch 10 is operated while the vehicle 1 is stopped.

[0057] T0 is the start-up time when the power supply (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is changed from an off state to an on state.

[0058] T1 is the time when the vehicle 1 starts accelerating.

[0059] T2 is the time when the speed of the vehicle 1 reaches the maximum speed of 20 Km / h. That is, the speed of the vehicle 1 at time T2 is the first set value V1.

[0060] Between time T2 and time T3, the speed of the vehicle 1 is controlled so as not to exceed the maximum speed of 20 Km / h.

[0061] T3 is the time when the vehicle 1 starts to decelerate.

[0062] T4 is the time when the vehicle 1 stops. The speed of the vehicle 1 at time T4 is 0 Km / h.

[0063] T X is the time when the operation switch 10 of the vehicle 1 is operated. X The speed of the vehicle 1 at time T X When the vehicle 1 is stopped, the determination unit 15 determines that the change condition is satisfied. When the operation switch 10 is operated in a state in which the change condition is satisfied, the driving mode is changed. The change unit 16 changes the driving mode based on the determination result of the determination unit 15. In other words, the change unit 16 changes the set value V based on the determination result of the determination unit 15. That is, the driving mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode. In other words, the set value V is changed from the first set value V1 to the second set value V2.

[0064] T5 is the time when the vehicle 1 starts accelerating.

[0065] T6 is the time when the speed of the vehicle 1 reaches the maximum speed of 6 Km / h. That is, the speed of the vehicle 1 at time T2 is the second set value V2.

[0066] Between time T6 and time T7, the speed of the vehicle 1 is controlled so as not to exceed the maximum speed of 6 Km / h.

[0067] T7 is the time when the vehicle 1 starts to decelerate.

[0068] T8 is the time when the vehicle 1 stops.

[0069] ● Relationship between setting value and maximum speed (2) FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the speed of the vehicle and the set value of the maximum speed of the vehicle when the operation switch of the vehicle is operated while the vehicle is traveling. In the figure, the vertical and horizontal axes are the same as those in FIG. In the figure, the maximum speed (first set value V1·second set value V2) is the same as in FIG.

[0070] The figure shows an example in which the operation switch 10 is operated while the vehicle 1 is traveling. The traveling mode at the start of the vehicle 1 is the first mode. That is, the set value V at the start of the vehicle 1 is the first set value V1.

[0071] This figure shows that a passenger of the vehicle 1 operates the operation switch 10 between time T2 and time T3. That is, the operation switch 10 is operated while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0072] T Y is the time when the operation switch 10 of the vehicle 1 is operated. Y The speed of the vehicle 1 at time T YAt time T4, the vehicle 1 is traveling. When the vehicle 1 is traveling (driving), the determination unit 15 determines that the change condition is not satisfied. When the operation switch 10 is operated in a state in which the change condition is not satisfied, the change of the traveling mode by the change unit 16 is reserved from the time the operation switch 10 is operated until the change condition is satisfied. In other words, when the operation switch 10 is operated in a state in which the change condition is not satisfied, the change of the set value V by the change unit 16 is reserved from the time the operation switch 10 is operated until the change condition is satisfied. That is, the change of the traveling mode by the change unit 16 is reserved until time T4 when the vehicle 1 stops. At time T4, the determination unit 15 determines that the change condition is satisfied. The change unit 16 changes the traveling mode based on the determination result of the determination unit 15. That is, the traveling mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode. In other words, the set value V is changed from the first set value V1 to the second set value V2.

[0073] ● Operation of this vehicle FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle when an operation switch of the vehicle is operated while the vehicle is stopped. For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 mainly illustrates acceleration and deceleration operations related to changing the set value V among the operations of the vehicle 1.

[0074] In the following description, the operation switch 10 is not operated while the vehicle 1 is traveling, but is operated while the vehicle 1 is stopped, as shown in FIG.

[0075] First, the power supply (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is activated (power is turned on) by an operation by a passenger (S1).

[0076] Next, the determination unit 15 determines whether or not an acceleration operation has been performed (S2).

[0077] When the determination result in S2 is "YES", the determination unit 15 determines whether or not the speed of the vehicle 1 is the maximum speed (S3).

[0078] When the result of the determination in S3 is "YES", the process of the determination unit 15 returns to step S2.

[0079] When the determination result in S3 is "NO", the vehicle 1 accelerates (S4). After that, the process of the determination unit 15 returns to process S2.

[0080] On the other hand, when the determination result of S2 is "NO", the determination unit 15 determines whether or not a deceleration operation has been performed (S5).

[0081] If the result of the determination in S5 is "NO", the process of the determination unit 15 returns to step S2.

[0082] On the other hand, when the determination result in S5 is "YES", the vehicle 1 decelerates (S6).

[0083] Next, the determination unit 15 determines whether the vehicle 1 is stopped (whether the change condition is met) (S7).

[0084] When the determination result in S7 is "NO", the process of the determination unit 15 returns to step S2.

[0085] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S7 is "YES", the determination unit 15 determines whether or not the operation switch 10 has been operated (S8).

[0086] If the determination result in S8 is "NO", the process of the determination unit 15 returns to step S7.

[0087] On the other hand, when the determination result of S8 is "YES", that is, when the operation switch 10 is operated after the vehicle 1 is stopped, the change unit 16 changes the set value V (S9). In other words, the change unit 16 changes the driving mode. After that, the process of the determination unit 15 returns to process S2.

[0088] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle when an operation switch of the vehicle is operated while the vehicle is traveling. For ease of explanation, the timing of operation of the operation switch 10 is not shown in FIG.

[0089] In the following description, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation switch 10 is not operated while the vehicle 1 is stopped, but is operated while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0090] Each of the processes P1 to P7 in FIG. 7 is common to each of the processes S1 to S7 in FIG. When the result of the determination in P7 is "YES", the determination unit 15 determines whether or not a change to the set value V is on hold (P8).

[0091] When the result of the determination in P8 is "NO", that is, when the operation switch 10 has not been operated in the period after P1 and before P7, the process of the determination unit 15 returns to process P2.

[0092] On the other hand, when the determination result of P8 is "YES", that is, when the operation switch 10 is operated in the period after P1 and before P7, the change unit 16 changes the set value V (P9). In other words, the change unit 16 changes the driving mode. After that, the process of the determination unit 15 returns to process P2.

[0093] In this way, when the operation switch 10 is operated while the vehicle 1 is traveling, the change of the traveling mode is put on hold from the time the operation switch 10 is operated until the change condition (the vehicle 1 is stopped) is satisfied. The hold on the change of the traveling mode functions, so to speak, as a reservation for the change of the traveling mode.

[0094] Summary As described above, the vehicle 1 includes the operation switch 10, the determination unit 15, and the change unit 16. The operation switch 10 is a switch that is operated when the set value V is changed. After the operation switch 10 is operated, the determination unit 15 determines whether or not the change condition (the vehicle 1 is stopped) is satisfied. When the change condition is not satisfied (the vehicle 1 is not stopped), the change unit 16 reserves the change of the set value V. That is, the change of the set value V is reserved from the time the operation switch 10 is operated until the change condition is satisfied. In other words, the change of the driving mode is reserved from the time the operation switch 10 is operated until the change condition is satisfied. That is, the vehicle 1 has a function of reserving a change of the driving mode while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0095] In this manner, when the operation switch is operated when the change condition is not satisfied, the vehicle reserves the right to change the driving mode until the change condition is satisfied. When the change condition is subsequently satisfied, the driving mode is changed without the operation of the operation switch. In other words, the vehicle can smoothly change the driving mode.

[0096] Features of this vehicle The features of the vehicle described so far are summarized below.

[0097] The vehicle (for example, vehicle 1) An electric vehicle in which a maximum speed is set, An operation switch (e.g., an operation switch 10) operated by a passenger of the electric vehicle; a change unit (e.g., change unit 16) that changes a set value of the maximum speed (e.g., set value V) when the operation switch is operated; A determination unit (e.g., the determination unit 15) that determines whether a predetermined change condition (e.g., the vehicle 1 is stopped) regarding the change of the setting value is satisfied; and When the operation switch is operated in a state where the change condition is not satisfied, the change unit does not change the set value until the change condition is satisfied (for example, from time T Y until time T4), is held, It is characterized by:

[0098] In this vehicle, The set value is A first set value (e.g., a first set value V1), A second set value (for example, a second set value V2) different from the first set value; Including, When the setting value is the first setting value and a change of the setting value is reserved, the change unit changes the setting value to the second setting value when the determination unit determines that the change condition is satisfied. It can also be something like that.

[0099] In this vehicle, The change condition is: The electric vehicle is stopped; Including, It can also be something like that.

[0100] This vehicle is, A speed control unit (for example, speed control unit 17) that controls the traveling speed of the electric vehicle; and The speed control unit controls the traveling speed based on the set value. It can also be something like that. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 Electric vehicles 10 Operation switch 11 Maximum speed indicator light 12 Display 13 Sensors 14 Driving motor 15 Judgment section 16 Changes 17 Speed ​​control section 18. Notification Department 19 Control section H Handle H1 Right handle part H2 Left handle part H3 central part M storage section V setting value V1 First setting value V2 Second setting value

Claims

1. An electric vehicle in which a maximum speed is set, an operation switch operated by a passenger of the electric vehicle; a change unit that changes a set value of the maximum speed when the operation switch is operated; a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined change condition regarding the change of the setting value is satisfied; and When the operation switch is operated in a state in which the change condition is not satisfied, the change of the set value by the change unit is suspended from the time the operation switch is operated until the change condition is satisfied. An electric vehicle characterized by:

2. The set value is A first set value; a second set value different from the first set value; Including, When the setting value is the first setting value and a change of the setting value is reserved, the change unit changes the setting value to the second setting value when the determination unit determines that the change condition is satisfied. The electric vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The change condition is: The electric vehicle is stopped; Including, The electric vehicle according to claim 1.

4. a speed control unit that controls a traveling speed of the electric vehicle; and The speed control unit controls the traveling speed based on the set value. The electric vehicle according to claim 1.

Images