Vehicle with self-propelled function

Abstract

To easily improve traveling characteristics.SOLUTION: A vehicle 1 with a self-propelled function includes a vehicle body 10, a front wheel 12, a rear wheel 15, a motor, a battery 2, and a power transmission mechanism 4. The front wheel 12 is rotatably supported by the vehicle body 10, on a front side of the vehicle body 10. The rear wheel 15 is rotatably supported by the vehicle body 10, on a rear side of the vehicle body 10. The motor 3 is located between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15 and applies self-propulsion power for self-propulsion to a drive wheel (the rear wheel 15) which is one of the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15. The battery 2 is located between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15 and supplies electric power to the motor 3. The power transmission mechanism 4 has a driven sprocket 16 provided on the drive wheel of the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15, also has a drive sprocket 17 connected to the motor 3, and transmits the self-propulsion power generated by the motor 3, to the drive wheel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle with self-propelling capability. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a three-wheeled vehicle that can run in two modes: one in which the output of a prime mover is transmitted to the road surface as a driving force for running, and the other in which the output of the driver's pedaling force is transmitted to the road surface as a driving force for running. This three-wheeled vehicle is equipped with a motor that functions as a prime mover. The motor is provided on the axle of the rear wheels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-119402 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle with a self-propelled function whose driving characteristics can be easily improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle with a self-propelled function according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body, front wheels, rear wheels, a motor, a battery, and a power transmission mechanism. The front wheels are rotatably supported on the vehicle body at a front side of the vehicle body. The rear wheels are rotatably supported on the vehicle body at a rear side of the vehicle body. The motor is located between the front wheels and the rear wheels, and applies self-propelled power to a drive wheel, which is one of the front wheels and the rear wheels, for self-propelling. The battery is located between the front wheels and the rear wheels, and supplies power to the motor. The power transmission mechanism has a driven sprocket provided on the drive wheel of the front wheels and the rear wheels, and a drive sprocket connected to the motor, and transmits the self-propelled power generated by the motor to the drive wheel. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The self-propelled vehicle according to the present disclosure has the advantage that driving characteristics can be easily improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a self-propelled vehicle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a motor unit according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a self-propelled vehicle according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating another configuration of a self-propelled vehicle according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration of the motor unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration of the control circuit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0009] In the following embodiments, expressions such as circumferential direction are used. For example, the vertical direction does not only mean a completely vertical direction, but also means a substantially vertical direction, that is, including an error of about a few percent. Furthermore, the vertical direction means a vertical direction within a range in which the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to cases where other expressions using "directions" are used.

[0010] In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily illustrated precisely. Therefore, for example, the scales and the like do not necessarily match in each figure. In addition, in each figure, substantially the same configuration is given the same reference numeral, and duplicated explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0011] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, a self-propelled vehicle according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a self-propelled vehicle 1 according to an embodiment. The self-propelled vehicle 1 is a vehicle that can run by outputting power for self-propelling the self-propelled vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as "self-propelled power"). FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle-type self-propelled vehicle 1 that does not have pedals and can run only by the self-propelled power of a motor 3. Note that the self-propelled vehicle 1 may have pedals if human-powered driving force is not applied to a power transmission mechanism 4 (described later).

[0012] The self-propelled vehicle 1 may be a bicycle-type vehicle with pedals that has a self-propelled function, an electric kickboard (also called a specific small motorized bicycle), or a motorized bicycle. The number of wheels in the self-propelled vehicle 1 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. For example, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may have two or more front wheels 12, and may also have two or more rear wheels 15.

[0013] In the embodiment, the self-propelled vehicle 1 has a plurality of driving modes and can run in the plurality of driving modes. The plurality of driving modes include a first mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 runs with a first output output from the motor 3, and a second mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 runs with a second output output from the motor 3. The first mode is, for example, a sidewalk driving mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 runs on a sidewalk at a first speed. The second mode is, for example, a roadway driving mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 runs on a roadway at a second speed that is faster than the first speed. In the sidewalk driving mode and the roadway driving mode, the self-propelled vehicle 1 can run by itself by outputting self-propelling power from the motor 3 with a user aboard the self-propelled vehicle 1.

[0014] For example, in the sidewalk driving mode, the vehicle is set to travel on the sidewalk at a maximum speed of 6 km or less, and in the roadway driving mode, the vehicle is set to travel on the road at a maximum speed of 20 km or less. In the embodiment, the maximum speed in the sidewalk driving mode and the maximum speed in the roadway driving mode are not limited to the above maximum speeds. For example, if "Article 299-2 of the Notification on the Details of the Safety Standards for Road Transport Vehicles [2022.12.23] "Maximum Speed ​​Indicator Light"" is revised, the maximum speed in the sidewalk driving mode and the roadway driving mode may be appropriately changed. In addition, the maximum speed in each of the sidewalk driving mode and the roadway driving mode may be appropriately changed in accordance with the laws, etc. established in the country in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 is used.

[0015] It is to be noted that the self-propelled vehicle 1 does not necessarily have to have a plurality of driving modes. For example, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may have only a single driving mode.

[0016] The self-propelled vehicle 1 includes a frame (body) 10, a handlebar 11, a front wheel 12, a motor unit 13 having a motor 3, a saddle 14, a rear wheel 15, a rear sprocket (driven sprocket) 16, a front sprocket (driving sprocket) 17, and a chain 18. The self-propelled vehicle 1 also includes a headlight 19, a brake light 20, an identification light 21, a plate 22, a footrest member 23, and a battery 2.

[0017] The front sprocket 17 and the rear sprocket 16 are included in the power transmission mechanism 4. The power transmission mechanism 4 has a driven sprocket (rear sprocket) 16 provided on a driving wheel (rear wheel 15) of the front wheels 12 and rear wheels 15, and a driving sprocket (front sprocket) 17 connected to the motor 3. The power transmission mechanism 4 transmits self-propelled power generated by the motor 3 to the driving wheels.

[0018] As already described, in the embodiment, the self-propelled vehicle 1 does not have pedals. That is, in the embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 4 does not include a mechanism for transmitting the pedaling force of a user riding on the frame (vehicle body) 10 to the driving wheels (rear wheels 15).

[0019] The frame 10 is a framework of the self-propelled vehicle 1. The frame 10 is made of metal such as aluminum alloy, iron, chrome molybdenum steel, steel, or titanium. The frame 10 may be made of carbon, synthetic resin, or the like.

[0020] The frame 10 has a head tube 10a, a down tube 10b, a seat tube 10c, and a chain stay 10d. The frame 10 may have a suspension.

[0021] A front fork 10e and a handlebar 11 are attached to the head tube 10a so as to be rotatable about an axis along the longitudinal direction of the head tube 10a. A front wheel 12 is rotatably attached to the front fork 10e. By turning the handlebar 11 left and right, the orientation of the front wheel 12 supported by the front fork 10e can be rotated left and right.

[0022] The down tube 10b connects the head tube 10a and the seat tube 10c. A motor unit 13 having a motor 3 is provided at the connection between the down tube 10b and the seat tube 10c.

[0023] The seat tube 10c holds a saddle 14. The saddle 14 is attached to the seat tube 10c so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the seat tube 10c. The lower end of the seat tube 10c is connected to the rear end of the down tube 10b. The seat tube 10c is located between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15 in the front-rear direction. In addition, a battery 2 is detachably attached to the seat tube 10c.

[0024] One end of the chain stay 10d is connected to the lower end of the seat tube 10c. The rear wheel 15 and a rear sprocket 16 that is linked to the axle of the rear wheel 15 are attached to the other end of the chain stay 10d. A chain 18 is stretched between the rear sprocket 16 and the front sprocket 17. As a result, the rotational force of the front sprocket 17 that is rotated by the driving force generated by the motor 3 is transmitted to the rear wheel 15 via the chain 18 and the rear sprocket 16.

[0025] The handlebars 11 are provided with turn indicators arranged at both ends of the handlebars 11 and capable of indicating right and left turns of the self-propelled vehicle 1, a power switch for driving the motor 3, a mode setting unit for switching the driving mode of the self-propelled vehicle 1, an accelerator handle for accelerating and driving the self-propelled vehicle 1, and a brake lever 11a for slowing down or stopping the self-propelled vehicle 1 while it is moving.

[0026] The front wheel 12 has a tire 12a along which the self-propelled vehicle 1 travels. The front wheel 12 is the front wheel of two wheels aligned in the front-rear direction. The front wheel 12 is supported by a front fork 10e so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. In other words, the front wheel 12 is supported by the frame (body) 10 so as to be rotatable at the front side of the frame. The front wheel 12 may receive power from a motor unit 13, and may be provided with, for example, a motor that applies a driving force to rotate the front wheel 12.

[0027] The rear wheel 15 has a tire 15a for the self-propelled vehicle 1 to travel. The rear wheel 15 is the rear wheel of two wheels arranged in the front-rear direction. The rear wheel 15 is supported by the chain stay 10d so as to rotate around an axis along the left-right direction. In other words, the rear wheel 15 is supported by the frame (body) 10 at the rear side of the frame 10 so as to be rotatable. The rear wheel 15 has a rear sprocket 16. The rear sprocket 16 is connected to the front sprocket 17 via a chain 18. Note that a speed increasing mechanism or a speed reducing mechanism for generating a rotation difference between the rotation of the rear sprocket 16 and the rotation of the rear wheel 15 may be provided between the rear sprocket 16 and the rear wheel 15. In addition, a speed changing mechanism for changing the rotation ratio, which is the ratio between the rotation of the rear sprocket 16 and the rotation of the rear wheel 15, may be provided between the rear sprocket 16 and the rear wheel 15.

[0028] The saddle 14 is a portion on which a user sits and is movably attached to the seat tube 10c.

[0029] The chain 18 transmits the driving force output from the motor unit 13 to the rear sprocket 16 via the front sprocket 17. The chain 18 is a power transmission body that transmits the driving force output from the motor unit 13 to the drive wheel (rear wheel 15). Note that the power transmission body is not limited to the chain 18, and may be, for example, a belt, a shaft, a wire, a gear, or the like. For example, when the power transmission body is a belt, compared to when the power transmission body is a chain 18, effects such as quieter operation, improved durability, and reduced frequency of maintenance can be expected.

[0030] The motor unit 13 has a motor 3 and a control circuit that controls the motor 3, and is attached to the frame 10. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the motor unit 13 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view of the motor unit 13 cut along a plane along the up-down direction. Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the motor unit 13 cut along a plane along the left-right direction.

[0031] The motor unit 13 is unitized by housing the motor 3 and the control circuit in a housing 13a made of resin or metal. The housing 13a houses the motor 3 and a board 13b on which various components constituting the control circuit are mounted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 13a is divided into a first area A1 in which the motor 3 is housed and a second area A2 attached to the frame (vehicle body) 10. Specifically, the first area A1 is a lower area obtained by dividing the housing 13a in two in the front-rear direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 2(b)), and is an area in which the motor 3, the board 13b, and the reducer are housed. The second area A2 is an upper area obtained by dividing the housing 13a in two in the front-rear direction, and is an area in which the sealing member 13d and the board 13e are housed.

[0032] The sealing member 13d is a hollow cylindrical member, and seals the openings 13c (here, two openings 13c) that penetrate the housing 13a along the width direction (left-right direction) of the frame (vehicle body) 10.

[0033] Various components constituting a circuit different from the control circuit that controls the motor 3 are mounted on the board 13e. The circuits are circuits that control safety components such as headlights 19, brake lights 20, identification lights 21, and direction indicators. The board 13e is housed in a sealing member 13d. In other words, a circuit (board 13e) different from the control circuit (board 13b) that controls the motor 3 is provided in the sealing member 13d.

[0034] Here, in the embodiment, the motor unit 13 has the same structure as a motor unit used in a bicycle-type self-propelled vehicle or an electric-assisted bicycle having pedals. For this reason, two openings 13c for passing a crankshaft are provided in the second area A2 of the housing 13a. In the embodiment, the self-propelled vehicle 1 does not have pedals and does not require a crankshaft, so the second area A2 of the housing 13a is hollow. Therefore, in order to effectively utilize the empty space in the second area A2, in the embodiment, a substrate 13e is provided in the second area A2.

[0035] The motor 3 applies a driving force for propelling the self-propelled vehicle 1. The motor 3 receives electric power from the battery 2 and is driven under the control of a control circuit. The motor 3 transmits a rotational torque as a driving force to the rear sprocket 16 via a front sprocket 17 and a chain 18, thereby rotating the rear wheel 15. The rotational torque is a driving force by the motor 3. In other words, the motor 3 applies a self-propelling power to a driving wheel (rear wheel 15), which is either one of the front wheels 12 or the rear wheels 15, for self-propelling.

[0036] In the embodiment, as already described, the motor unit 13 having the motor 3 is provided at the connection portion between the down tube 10b and the seat tube 10c. Therefore, the motor 3 is located between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15 in the front-rear direction.

[0037] In the embodiment, the front sprocket (driving sprocket) 17 is provided outside the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2(b). That is, in the embodiment, at least a portion of the front sprocket 17 is exposed to the outside. In the embodiment, the rear sprocket (driven sprocket) 16 is also not covered by the housing, and at least a portion of the rear sprocket is exposed to the outside.

[0038] In the embodiment, the diameter of the front sprocket (driving sprocket) 17 is smaller than the diameter of the rear sprocket (driven sprocket) 16. In the embodiment, the number of teeth of the front sprocket 17 is smaller than the number of teeth of the rear sprocket 16.

[0039] In the embodiment, the center of rotation of the front sprocket 17 (drive sprocket) is located lower than the center of rotation of the rear wheel 15. This configuration makes it difficult for the chain 18 to slacken. This configuration also makes it difficult for the user to come into contact with the front sprocket 17, the chain 18, etc., and therefore makes it difficult for the user's clothes, etc., to get dirty.

[0040] The headlights 19 are attached to the front side of the frame (vehicle body) 10 and can illuminate the area ahead of the self-propelled vehicle 1. The brake lights 20 are attached to the rear side of the frame 10 and are turned on when the brakes are applied to inform following vehicles that the self-propelled vehicle 1 is decelerating. The identification lights 21 are attached to the rear side of the frame 10 and are maximum speed indicator lights that light up in a predetermined manner according to each of a plurality of driving modes, thereby enabling those around to identify that the self-propelled vehicle 1 is traveling in a specific driving mode. Note that, although the identification lights 21 are only arranged on the rear side of the frame 10 in FIG. 1, they are also arranged on the front side of the frame 10. For this reason, the two identification lights 21 are arranged on the self-propelled vehicle 1 so as to be visible from the front and rear of the self-propelled vehicle 1.

[0041] The plate 22 is a resin or metal member that is long in the front-rear direction and is supported by the motor unit 13 by having its rear end fixed to the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 by, for example, a bolt. In the embodiment, the plates 22 are provided on both the left and right sides of the frame (vehicle body) 10.

[0042] The footrest member 23 is a rod-shaped member made of resin or metal that is long in the left-right direction (i.e., in the width direction of the frame (body) 10), and is attached to the front end of the plate 22. The feet of a user seated on the saddle 14 (i.e., a user riding on the frame (body) 10) are placed on the footrest member 23. In the embodiment, as already described, since the plates 22 are provided on both the left and right sides of the frame 10, the footrest members 23 are also provided on both the left and right sides of the frame 10. Therefore, in the embodiment, the user seated on the saddle 14 can place his / her left and right feet on the left and right footrest members 23, respectively.

[0043] The battery 2 is a storage battery that stores power for driving the motor 3. The battery 2 is, for example, a secondary battery, but may also be a capacitor or the like. The battery 2 is electrically connected to the motor 3. Specifically, the battery 2 supplies power to the motor 3. As already described, in the embodiment, the battery 2 is provided on the seat tube 10c. Therefore, the battery 2 is located between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15 in the fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the battery 2 is located above the motor unit 13, i.e., the motor 3.

[0044] In such a self-propelled vehicle 1, when the power switch is turned on, power is supplied from the battery 2 to the motor 3. Then, the user operates a mode setting unit to set the driving mode of the self-propelled vehicle 1. Also, when the user operates the accelerator handle, the motor 3 is driven, and the power is transmitted to the rear wheels 15 via the power transmission mechanism 4, causing the self-propelled vehicle 1 to propel itself.

[0045] [advantage] The advantages of the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment will be described below. First, the problems with the self-propelled vehicle of the comparative example will be described. The self-propelled vehicle of the comparative example differs from the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment in that the motor is provided inside the hub of the rear wheel (drive wheel) like the three-wheeled vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, that is, the motor is an in-wheel motor.

[0046] In the comparative example of the self-propelled vehicle, a relatively heavy motor is provided inside the hub of the rear wheel, so there is a possibility that the front wheel may lift off the road while driving. Also, in the comparative example of the self-propelled vehicle, even if a motor is provided inside the hub of the front wheel, there is a possibility that the rear wheel may lift off the road while driving. Thus, in the comparative example of the self-propelled vehicle, it is difficult to balance the weight, which may affect the driving characteristics of the vehicle.

[0047] In contrast, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the motor 3 is located between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15, and the battery 2 is located between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15. Therefore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the motor 3 and the battery 2 can be relatively freely arranged between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15, which has the advantage that it is easy to design the vehicle taking into consideration the position of the center of gravity and to balance the weight of the vehicle. Since it is easy to balance the weight of the vehicle in this way, the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment is less likely to have a problem in which the front wheels 12 or the rear wheels 15 lift off the road as in the self-propelled vehicle of the comparative example, and the turning performance of the vehicle is easily improved, which has the advantage that it is easy to improve the driving characteristics.

[0048] In particular, a self-propelled vehicle such as a specific small motorized bicycle does not have pedals, and therefore can be designed to have a smaller dimension from the road to the frame (body) than a bicycle, a smaller wheel diameter than a bicycle, and a smaller front-to-rear dimension of the frame than a bicycle. Even in such a design, the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment has the advantage that it is relatively easy to balance the weight of the vehicle.

[0049] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, since the motor 3 is located between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15, it is possible to attach a transmission to the drive wheels (rear wheels 15). Therefore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, when a transmission is attached, there is an advantage that the driving characteristics of the vehicle can be easily and flexibly changed by changing the gear to achieve driving characteristics of high torque and low revolutions, or changing the gear to achieve driving characteristics of low torque and high revolutions.

[0050] Other advantages of the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment will be listed below.

[0051] In the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 4 does not include a mechanism for transmitting the pedaling force of a user riding on the frame (vehicle body) 10 to the drive wheels (rear wheels 15). This embodiment has the advantage that it is easier to achieve weight reduction compared to the case where a mechanism for transmitting the pedaling force of the user to the drive wheels is included.

[0052] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the motor 3 operates in either a sidewalk driving mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 travels on a sidewalk at a first speed, or a roadway driving mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 travels on a roadway at a second speed that is faster than the first speed. This aspect has the advantage that it is possible to travel in a driving mode appropriate for the roadway.

[0053] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, at least a portion of the front sprocket (drive sprocket) 17 is exposed to the outside. In this embodiment, the front sprocket 17 can be easily replaced with a sprocket having a different number of teeth, so that it is possible to change the front sprocket 17 to one that corresponds to the diameter of the drive wheels (rear wheels 15), for example. Therefore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to achieve the expected vehicle speed and climbing power by appropriately replacing the front sprocket 17, and there is an advantage that one type of motor unit 13 can be shared by various vehicles having different diameters of drive wheels.

[0054] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the battery 2 is located above the motor 3. This aspect has the advantage that it is possible to reduce the possibility of the battery 2 coming into contact with the roadway, and therefore it is easy to reduce the possibility of the battery 2 being damaged. In particular, in view of the fact that the housing of the battery 2 is generally made of resin and is relatively likely to be damaged by coming into contact with the roadway, there is an advantage in locating the battery 2 above the motor 3.

[0055] When the battery 2 is disposed above the motor unit 13 having the motor 3 and as close as possible to the motor unit 13, there is an advantage that the self-propelled vehicle 1 can be designed compactly. In this case, there is also an advantage that the wiring connecting the motor unit 13 and the battery 2 can be shortened, which makes it easier to reduce power loss.

[0056] Also, the battery 2 may be disposed above the down tube 10b, for example. In this case, the battery 2 is located above the motor 3, and thus has the same advantages as above. In this case, there is also an advantage that the down tube 10b is interposed between the battery 2 and the road, and thus the down tube 10b functions to protect the battery 2.

[0057] Furthermore, in self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the number of teeth on front sprocket (driving sprocket) 17 is smaller than the number of teeth on rear sprocket (driven sprocket) 16. In this embodiment, a large reduction ratio can be achieved from motor 3 to the driving wheels (rear wheels 15), which has the advantages of making it easier to make motor 3 a low-torque, high-speed motor and making it easier to utilize the efficient range of motor 3, thereby facilitating the miniaturization and weight reduction of motor 3.

[0058] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 4 is provided on one of both sides in the width direction (left and right direction) of the frame (vehicle body) 10. This aspect has the advantage that the power transmission mechanism 4 is less likely to interfere with the user, compared to a case in which the power transmission mechanism 4 is provided dispersedly on both sides in the width direction of the frame 10.

[0059] In particular, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 4 is provided on the right side of the frame 10 (the front side of the page in FIG. 1) in the width direction. In this embodiment, for example, when pushing the self-propelled vehicle 1, the user often stands on the left side of the frame 10 (the rear side of the page in FIG. 1), which has the advantage that the user is less likely to come into contact with the front sprocket 17, the chain 18, etc., and the user's clothes are less likely to get dirty. In addition, when the self-propelled vehicle 1 is a bicycle-type vehicle, the stand member is usually provided on the left side of the frame 10, which has the advantage that the chain 18, etc., are less likely to interfere with the stand member.

[0060] Moreover, the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment further includes a footrest member 23 supported by the housing 13a and on which the feet of a user riding on the frame (vehicle body) 10 are placed. This aspect has the advantage that the user riding on the frame 10 can store their feet near the frame 10 without having to extend their feet outward, which makes it easier to improve convenience. In addition, since the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 has a relatively high rigidity, the footrest member 23 can be fixed to and supported by the housing 13a, for example, by tightening them together, which makes it easier to improve the strength and rigidity of the footrest member 23.

[0061] In the embodiment, the footrest member 23 is indirectly supported on the housing 13a via the plate 22, but may be directly fixed and supported on the housing 13a. The footrest member 23 may be detachable from the housing 13a by a fastening member such as a screw. In this embodiment, when the footrest member 23 is damaged due to, for example, the self-propelled vehicle 1 falling over, it is possible to replace it with another footrest member 23. In addition, in this embodiment, there is an advantage that when the position of the footrest member 23 is to be changed according to the user's body type, the position of the footrest member 23 can be easily changed according to the user's preference by replacing it with another footrest member 23.

[0062] In addition, a plurality of screw holes for screwing the footrest member 23 may be provided at the portion of the plate 22 or the housing 13a where the footrest member 23 is attached. This aspect has the advantage that the footrest member 23 can be selectively attached easily at a position of the user's preference. In addition, a long hole for screwing may be provided at the portion of the plate 22 or the housing 13a where the footrest member 23 is attached. This aspect has the advantage that the position of the footrest member 23 can be finely adjusted, so that the position of the footrest member 23 can be easily adjusted according to the user's preference.

[0063] In the embodiment, the foot rest member 23 is provided on both the left and right sides of the frame 10, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the left foot rest member 23 and the right foot rest member 23 may be integrated. In this case, if the foot rest member 23 is attached to the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 by passing it through two openings 13c of the housing 13a, it is advantageous in that the rigidity of the foot rest member 23 can be easily improved. Note that the foot rest member 23 may be provided on only one of the left and right sides of the frame 10.

[0064] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 is divided into a first area A1 in which the motor 3 is housed, and a second area A2 which is attached to the frame (vehicle body) 10. This aspect has the advantage that, compared to a case in which various components such as the motor 3 are housed throughout the inside of the housing 13a, it is easier to firmly fix the housing 13a to the frame 10 by using the second area A2, and it is easier to improve heat resistance against heat generated by driving the motor 3.

[0065] Specifically, a vehicle that does not have pedals, such as the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, runs only with the self-propelling power of the motor 3, so that the motor 3 is easily loaded and easily generates heat. For this reason, in order to ensure the capacity and heat storage capacity to absorb the heat generated inside the housing 13a, it is necessary to enlarge the area in which the motor 3 is not accommodated. In addition, the part of the housing 13a that is attached to the frame 10 needs to be firmly fixed to the frame 10 in order to receive the reaction force of the driving force of the front sprocket (driving sprocket) 17 as it is. Therefore, by dividing the housing 13a into the first area A1 and the second area A2 as described above, it is possible to design the second area A2 relatively freely, and by making the widthwise dimension W2 of the other area larger than the widthwise dimension W1 of the upper end of the housing 13a in the second area A2, there is an advantage that the above-mentioned capacity, heat storage capacity, and heat dissipation capacity are improved while the strength and rigidity of the housing 13a are easily improved.

[0066] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the second area A2 is provided with a sealing member 13d that seals the opening 13c that penetrates the housing 13a along the width direction of the frame (vehicle body) 10. In this embodiment, the sealing member 13d seals the opening 13c, making it difficult for foreign matter such as water or dust to enter the inside of the housing 13a, which has the advantage of making it easier to extend the life of parts such as the motor 3.

[0067] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, a circuit (substrate 13e) different from the control circuit (substrate 13b) is provided in the sealing member 13d. In this embodiment, for example, a circuit for controlling a safety component can be housed in the housing 13a, which has the advantage of making it easier to improve the design of the vehicle.

[0068] [Variations] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0069] Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating a self-propelled vehicle 1A according to a modification of the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the self-propelled vehicle 1A according to this modification is different from the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment in that it further includes a tensioner 24 that is provided between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15 and applies a predetermined tension to the chain 18. Hereinafter, a description of the points common to the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0070] 3, tensioner 24 is supported on housing 13a of motor unit 13 by, for example, screws. The rotation shaft of tensioner 24 is located below front sprocket (drive sprocket) 17. Tensioner 24 is located below chain 18 and functions to remove slack in chain 18 by pushing chain 18 from below upward.

[0071] As described above, the self-propelled vehicle 1A of this modified example is equipped with the tensioner 24, which can remove slack in the chain 18, thereby having the advantage of preventing the chain 18 from falling off due to slack in the chain 18 and making it easier to improve driving stability.

[0072] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1A of this modified example, the tensioner 24 is supported by the housing 13a, which has the advantage that the tensioner 24 can be attached to the vehicle more stably than if it were supported by the frame 10.

[0073] That is, if the tensioner 24 is supported by the frame 10, if the motor unit 13 is attached to the frame 10 at an inclination greater than expected, the relative positional relationship between the tensioner 24, the motor 3, and the chain 18 may shift, and the tensioner 24 may have difficulty in performing its function. In contrast, by supporting the tensioner 24 by the housing 13a, the relative positional relationship between the tensioner 24, the motor 3, and the chain 18 is less likely to shift, and the tensioner 24 is more likely to always perform its function. In addition, by supporting the tensioner 24 by the housing 13a, the freedom of design of the frame 10 is less likely to be hindered, which has the advantage that it is easier to design a self-propelled vehicle 1A with excellent design. The tensioner 24 may be supported by the frame 10.

[0074] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1A of this modified example, the tensioner 24 has its rotation axis positioned lower than the front sprocket (drive sprocket) 17, which has the advantage that there is less interference between the mounting bracket of the motor unit 13 and the tensioner 24, making it easier to improve the design.

[0075] Furthermore, in the self-propelled vehicle 1A of this modified example, the tensioner 24 is positioned below the chain 18 and functions to remove slack in the chain 18 by pushing the chain 18 from below to above, which has the advantage that the winding angle around the front sprocket (drive sprocket) 17 can be increased, making it easier to increase the number of links of the chain 18 that mesh with the front sprocket 17 and reducing wear on the front sprocket 17.

[0076] Meanwhile, tensioner 24 may be disposed as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a side view illustrating another configuration of self-propelled vehicle 1A according to a modified example of the embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 4, tensioner 24 is located above chain 18 and functions to remove slack in chain 18 by pushing chain 18 from above downward. This aspect has the advantage that the winding angle with respect to front sprocket (drive sprocket) 17 can be kept small, making it easier to suppress abnormal noise.

[0077] The tensioner 24 may have a rotation shaft located above the front sprocket (drive sprocket) 17 and may function to remove slack in the chain 18 by pushing the chain 18 from above downward. For example, when attempting to increase the hill-climbing ability of the self-propelled vehicle 1A, it is common to reduce the diameter of the drive wheels (rear wheels 15), but in this case, the minimum distance between the motor unit 13 and the road becomes relatively short. Therefore, by locating the tensioner 24 at a position relatively far from the road as described above, there is an advantage in that it is easier to prevent the tensioner 24 from contacting the road.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration of the motor unit 13 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 (in other words, the housing 13a housing the control circuit (substrate 13b) that controls the motor 3) may be in contact with the frame (vehicle body) 10, particularly in the first region A1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the housing 13a is fixed to the frame 10 by a fastening member 13f, thereby being in contact with the frame 10. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the housing 13a is in contact with the frame 10 not only in the first region A1 but also in the second region A2. In the second region A2, a thin-film heat dissipation member 13g, such as a heat dissipation sheet or heat dissipation silicon, is provided between the outer surface of the housing 13a and the frame 10.

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the housing 13a that houses the control circuit (substrate 13b) that controls the motor 3 is in contact with the frame 10, so that heat generated by driving the motor 3 can be dissipated through the frame 10, which has the advantage of making it easier to improve heat dissipation.

[0080] In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the first area A1 of the housing 13a, i.e., the area of ​​the housing 13a where the control circuit is housed, is in contact with the frame 10, which has the advantage that the heat generated by the motor 3 being driven can be further easily dissipated.

[0081] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the frame 10 may be made of aluminum. This has the advantage that it is easier to improve heat dissipation compared to when the frame 10 is made of iron. The frame 10 may further have fins for heat dissipation in the area in contact with the housing 13a. This has the advantage that it is easier to dissipate heat via the fins, making it easier to further improve heat dissipation.

[0082] Incidentally, the control circuit for controlling the motor 3 may not be housed in the housing 13a of the motor unit 13, and may be provided in another location. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration of the control circuit according to the embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a board 51 on which components such as a capacitor 52 constituting the control circuit are mounted is housed in a housing 53. The housing 53 is fixed to the inside of the frame 10 (for example, the down tube 10b) by, for example, screwing, so that the housing 53 is in contact with the frame 10. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a thin-film heat dissipation member 54, for example, a heat dissipation sheet or heat dissipation silicon, is provided between the lower surface of the housing 53 and the inner surface of the frame 10. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a spring member 55 that applies a downward elastic force to the housing 53 is provided between the upper surface of the housing 53 and the inner surface of the frame 10. As a result, the spring member 55 is provided in the gravity direction, so that the housing 53 can be closely attached to the frame 10. The spring member 55 may be provided so as to apply an upward elastic force. In addition, the spring member 55 may be a member other than an elastic member. In the case of a member other than an elastic member, the member may be attached to a heat dissipation surface such as the top surface of the housing 53 by a screw or the like. In addition, the member other than an elastic member may be brought into close contact with the heat dissipation surface, for example, by interposing a wedge-shaped member between the member and the heat dissipation surface.

[0083] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the housing 53 housing the control circuit (substrate 51) that controls the motor 3 is in contact with the frame 10, so that heat generated by the operation of the motor 3 can be dissipated via the frame 10, which has the advantage of making it easy to improve heat dissipation. Also, in the example shown in Fig. 6, the outer surface of the frame 10 is further provided with a plurality of heat dissipation fins 56, which has the advantage of making it easy to improve rigidity while further improving heat dissipation. It is optional whether or not to provide a plurality of heat dissipation fins 56 on the outer surface of the frame 10.

[0084] The configuration in which the housing 13a, 53 housing the control circuit that controls the motor 3 is in contact with the frame (body) 10 is not limited to the self-propelled vehicles 1, 1A, but may be adopted in, for example, electric bicycles such as power-assisted bicycles that do not have a self-propelled function. Furthermore, when the above configuration is adopted, the motor 3 and the battery 2 do not have to be located between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 15. Furthermore, when the above configuration is adopted, the motor 3 may be an in-wheel motor.

[0085] That is, an electric bicycle having the above configuration is expressed as follows. The electric bicycle comprises a frame (body) 10, a front wheel 12, a rear wheel 15, a motor 3, a control circuit (substrate 13b, 51), and a housing 13a, 53. The front wheel 12 is rotatably supported by the frame 10 at the front side of the frame 10. The rear wheel 15 is rotatably supported by the frame 10 at the rear side of the frame 10. The motor 3 applies driving force to a drive wheel (rear wheel 15), which is either the front wheel 12 or the rear wheel 15. The control circuit controls the motor 3. The housing 13a, 53 is in contact with the frame 10 and houses the control circuit.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may further include a chain pulling member provided at a portion of the frame (vehicle body) 10 where the drive wheels (rear wheels 15) are attached, for adjusting the tension of the chain 18. In this aspect, as in the case where the tensioner 24 is provided, slack in the chain 18 can be removed, which has the advantage of preventing the chain 18 from falling off due to slack in the chain 18 and making it easier to improve running stability. In addition, in this aspect, the chain pulling member is less noticeable compared to the case where the tensioner 24 is provided, which has the advantage of making it easier to improve the design.

[0087] In the above embodiment, if the number of teeth on the front sprocket (drive sprocket) 17 is 9 or more, there is an advantage that the bending rate of the chain 18 can be reduced. In addition, by increasing the number of teeth on the front sprocket 17, the number of times each tooth meshes with the links of the chain 18 can be reduced, which has the advantage that it is easier to prevent wear on the front sprocket 17. Furthermore, if the number of teeth on the front sprocket 17 is between 9 and 29, there is an advantage that the bending rate of the chain 18 can be minimized, which makes it easier to prevent the chain 18 from falling off even without providing a chain guard, which will be described later.

[0088] In the above embodiment, a chain guard may be further provided to prevent the chain 18 from falling off. In this case, there is an advantage that the chain 18 can be further easily prevented from falling off.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may further include a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle by detecting the number of rotations of the front wheel 12 or the rear wheel 15. This aspect has the advantage that the accuracy of detecting the vehicle speed can be easily improved. This aspect is particularly useful when the self-propelled vehicle 1 is a vehicle such as a specific small motorized bicycle, for example, for which it is important to precisely detect the vehicle speed.

[0090] The rotation speed of the wheel (front wheel 12 or rear wheel 15) may be read based on the detection result of a magnetic sensor attached to either the wheel or the frame 10, or may be read by an encoder method.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may further include a transmission. The transmission is configured with a known speed change mechanism such as a planetary gear or a multi-speed gear having a plurality of driving force transmission paths with different gear ratios. The transmission can change the driving force transmission path to, for example, a low gear, a medium gear, or a high gear, for example. The transmission may be configured to manually switch the driving force transmission path, or may be configured to electrically switch the driving force transmission path. In this embodiment, the gear ratio can be changed according to the speed of the self-propelled vehicle 1, which has the advantage of making it easier to improve the hill-climbing ability.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 does not have to include the sealing member 13d. In this case, the opening 13c of the housing 13a may be filled with, for example, a mold.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the second area A2 of the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 may house not only the circuit (13e) but also other components. For example, the second area A2 may house an acceleration sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) circuit, a wireless communication circuit conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard (e.g., Bluetooth (registered trademark)), a tilt sensor, or a bundled harness. When a wireless communication circuit is housed in the second area A2, the antenna can be exposed to the outside of the housing 13a to facilitate transmission and reception of radio waves.

[0094] When the antenna is disposed as described above, the portion of the housing 13a where the antenna is disposed may be designed to have a lower dielectric constant than other portions. That is, when the dielectric constant is high, radio waves are more likely to be absorbed by the material, leading to radio wave loss and affecting communication sensitivity, so it is preferable to dispose the antenna in a portion with a low dielectric constant. The housing 13a may be formed of resin. In this embodiment, the radio wave transmittance is improved compared to when the housing 13a is formed of metal, and the communication state can be improved.

[0095] Furthermore, when the antenna is disposed as described above, only a portion of the antenna may be exposed from the housing 13a. In this embodiment, in order to ensure waterproofing, the exposed portion of the antenna may be covered with a cover or the like made of a material with a low dielectric constant such as a resin material. Moreover, waterproofing may be ensured by filling the exposed portion of the antenna with potting or the like.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the handle 11 is provided with an accelerator handle (accelerator throttle), but this is not limited thereto. For example, a mechanism equivalent to an accelerator throttle may be provided in the housing 13a of the motor unit 13 instead of the footrest member 23. The mechanism may be, for example, a device that detects the user's pedaling force, or, in the case where a crankshaft is provided, a device that detects the inclination or rotation speed of the crankshaft.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may or may not include a one-way clutch. If the self-propelled vehicle 1 does not include a one-way clutch, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may be configured to move forward when the accelerator handle (accelerator throttle) is turned, and to decelerate or maintain a constant speed by regeneration when the accelerator handle is turned less. This aspect has the advantage that, for example, brake shoes and the like are less likely to wear out, making it easier to reduce the frequency of part replacement. In addition, this aspect has the advantage that, since the vehicle speed can be detected by detecting the rotation speed of the motor 3, it is not necessary to provide a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the front wheels 12 or the rear wheels 15, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0098] In the above embodiment, when the self-propelled vehicle 1 has pedals, the self-propelled vehicle 1 may be provided with a one-way clutch. This has the advantage that when the self-propelled vehicle 1 is driven only by the self-propelling power of the motor 3, the one-way clutch can prevent the pedals from rotating as the motor 3 is driven.

[0099] In addition, in the above embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 4 transmits the driving force generated by the motor 3 to the rear wheels 15, which are the driving wheels, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the power transmission mechanism 4 may transmit the driving force generated by the motor 3 to the front wheels 12. In other words, the front wheels 12 may be the driving wheels. In this case, a driven sprocket may be provided on the front wheels 12.

[0100] Furthermore, all the numbers used above are merely examples for the purpose of specifically explaining the present disclosure, and each of the embodiments and reference modes of the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplified numbers.

[0101] In addition, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications that would come to mind to each of the embodiments and modifications, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each of the embodiments and modifications within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0102] (summary) As described above, the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the first embodiment includes the vehicle body (frame) 10, the front wheels 12, the rear wheels 15, the motor 3, the battery 2, and the power transmission mechanism 4. The front wheels 12 are rotatably supported on the front side of the vehicle body 10. The rear wheels 15 are rotatably supported on the rear side of the vehicle body 10. The motor 3 is located between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15, and applies self-propelling power to a drive wheel (rear wheel 15), which is one of the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15, for self-propelling. The battery 2 is located between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15, and supplies power to the motor 3. The power transmission mechanism 4 has a driven sprocket (rear sprocket) 16 provided on the driving wheel of the front wheels 12 or rear wheels 15, and a driving sprocket (front sprocket) 17 connected to the motor 3, and transmits the self-propelled power generated by the motor 3 to the driving wheels.

[0103] This has the advantage that the motor 3 and battery 2 can be positioned relatively freely between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15, making it easier to design with the vehicle's center of gravity in mind and to balance the vehicle's weight, making it easier to improve driving characteristics.

[0104] In the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 4 does not include a mechanism for transmitting the pedaling force of a user riding on the vehicle body 10 to the drive wheels.

[0105] This has the advantage that it is easier to reduce weight compared to a case in which a mechanism is provided for transmitting the user's pedaling force to the drive wheels.

[0106] In addition, the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A in the third aspect operates in either a first mode in which it runs on a first output output from the motor 3, or a second mode in which it runs on a second output output from the motor 3, in the first or second aspect.

[0107] This has the advantage that it is possible to drive in a driving mode appropriate for the situation.

[0108] In the third embodiment of the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the fourth aspect, the first mode is a sidewalk driving mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 travels on a sidewalk at a first speed, and the second mode is a roadway driving mode in which the self-propelled vehicle 1 travels on a roadway at a second speed that is faster than the first speed.

[0109] This has the advantage that it is possible to run in a suitable running mode depending on the road.

[0110] In the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the drive sprocket 17 is at least partially exposed to the outside.

[0111] This has the advantage that the drive sprocket 17 can be easily replaced with a sprocket with a different number of teeth, so that it is possible to change the drive sprocket 17 to one that corresponds to the diameter of the drive wheel (rear wheel 15), for example, and one type of motor unit 13 can be shared by various vehicles whose drive wheels have different diameter dimensions.

[0112] In the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the sixth aspect, the battery 2 is located above the motor 3 in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0113] This has the advantage that the possibility of the battery 2 coming into contact with the road can be reduced, making it easier to reduce the possibility of the battery 2 being damaged.

[0114] In the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the number of teeth of the driving sprocket 17 is smaller than the number of teeth of the driven sprocket 16.

[0115] This has the advantage that a large reduction ratio can be achieved from the motor 3 to the drive wheels (rear wheels 15), making it easier to make the motor 3 a low-torque, high-rotation motor, making it easier to utilize the efficient range of the motor 3, and making it easier to make the motor 3 smaller and lighter.

[0116] In the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the power transmission mechanism 4 is provided on one of both sides in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0117] This has the advantage that the power transmission mechanism 4 is less likely to interfere with the user, compared to a case in which the power transmission mechanism 4 is provided distributed on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0118] Moreover, the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to a ninth aspect is in any one of the first to eighth aspects and further includes a housing 13a and a footrest member 23. The housing 13a houses the motor 3. The footrest member 23 is supported by the housing 13a and is adapted for placing the feet of a user riding on the vehicle body 10.

[0119] This has the advantage that a user riding on the vehicle body 10 can store his / her feet near the frame 10 without having to extend his / her feet outward, which makes it easier to improve convenience.

[0120] In addition, in the self-propelled vehicle 1A according to the tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the power transmission mechanism 4 has a chain 18 that is stretched across the driving sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 16. The self-propelled vehicle 1A further includes a tensioner 24 that is provided between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 15 and applies a predetermined tension to the chain 18.

[0121] This has the advantage that the slack in the chain 18 can be removed, preventing the chain 18 from falling off due to the slack in the chain 18, and making it easier to improve running stability.

[0122] Moreover, the self-propelled vehicle 1A according to an eleventh aspect is the same as the tenth aspect, and further includes a housing 13a that houses the motor 3. The tensioner 24 is supported by the housing 13a.

[0123] This has the advantage that the tensioner 24 can be attached to the vehicle more stably than if it were supported by the frame 10.

[0124] In addition, in the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the twelfth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the power transmission mechanism 4 has a chain 18 stretched across the driving sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 16. The self-propelled vehicle 1 further includes a chain pulling member provided at a portion of the vehicle body 10 where the driving wheels are attached, for adjusting the tension of the chain 18.

[0125] This has the advantage that it is possible to remove slack in the chain 18, thereby preventing the chain 18 from falling off due to slack in the chain 18, and making it easier to improve running stability. Also, this has the advantage that the chain pulling member is less noticeable compared to when the tensioner 24 is provided, making it easier to improve the design.

[0126] The self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to a thirteenth aspect is any one of the first to twelfth aspects and further includes a housing 13a that houses the motor 3. The housing 13a is divided into a first area A1 that houses the motor 3 therein and a second area A2 that is attached to the vehicle body 10.

[0127] This has the advantage that, compared to a case in which various components such as the motor 3 are housed throughout the interior of the housing 13a, it is easier to firmly fix the housing 13a to the frame 10 by utilizing the second region A2, and it is also easier to improve heat resistance against heat generated by driving the motor 3.

[0128] In addition, in the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the fourteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the second region A2 is provided with a sealing member 13d that seals the opening 13c that penetrates the housing 13a along the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0129] According to this, by sealing the opening 13c with the sealing member 13d, foreign matter such as water or dust is less likely to enter the inside of the housing 13a, which has the advantage that the life of parts such as the motor 3 can be easily extended.

[0130] In the self-propelled vehicle 1, 1A according to the fifteenth aspect, in the fourteenth aspect, a circuit (substrate 13e) different from the control circuit (substrate 13b) that controls the motor 3 is provided on the sealing member 13d.

[0131] This has the advantage that, for example, a circuit for controlling a safety component can be housed in the housing 13a, which makes it easier to improve the design of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1,1A Self-propelled vehicle 10 Frame (body) 12 Front wheel 13a Case 13b Board (control circuit) 13c aperture 13d Sealing member 13e Board (circuit) 15 Rear wheel 16 Rear sprocket (driven sprocket) 17 Front sprocket (drive sprocket) 18 Chain 2 Battery 23 Footrest material 24 Tensioner 3 Motor 4 Power transmission mechanism A1 1st area A2 2nd area

Claims

1. The car body and A front wheel rotatably supported by the vehicle body at a front side of the vehicle body; a rear wheel rotatably supported by the vehicle body at a rear side of the vehicle body; a motor located between the front wheels and the rear wheels and configured to apply self-propelling power to a drive wheel, which is one of the front wheels and the rear wheels, for self-propelling the vehicle; a battery located between the front wheels and the rear wheels and supplying power to the motor; a power transmission mechanism including a driven sprocket provided on one of the driving wheels of the front wheels and the rear wheels, and a driving sprocket connected to the motor, and configured to transmit self-propelled power generated by the motor to the driving wheels. Self-propelled vehicle.

2. The power transmission mechanism does not include a mechanism for transmitting the pedaling force of a user riding on the vehicle body to the drive wheels. The vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. a first mode in which the vehicle runs on a first output output from the motor; a second mode in which the vehicle runs on a second output output from the motor; The vehicle according to claim 1 .

4. the first mode is a sidewalk traveling mode in which the self-propelled vehicle travels on a sidewalk at a first speed; the second mode is a roadway driving mode in which the self-propelled vehicle travels on a roadway at a second speed that is faster than the first speed; The self-propelled vehicle according to claim 3.

5. At least a portion of the drive sprocket is exposed to the outside. A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The battery is located above the motor. A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The number of teeth on the drive sprocket is less than the number of teeth on the driven sprocket. A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The power transmission mechanism is provided on one of both sides in a width direction of the vehicle body. A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. A housing that houses the motor; The vehicle further includes a footrest member supported by the housing and on which the feet of a user riding on the vehicle body are placed. A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. the power transmission mechanism includes a chain that is wound around the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket, The bicycle further includes a tensioner provided between the front wheel and the rear wheel to apply a predetermined tension to the chain. A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A housing that houses the motor is further provided. The tensioner is supported by the housing. The self-propelled vehicle according to claim 10.

12. the power transmission mechanism includes a chain that is wound around the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket, a chain tensioning member provided at a portion of the vehicle body to which the drive wheel is attached, for adjusting the tension of the chain; A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. The motor further includes a housing in which the motor is housed. The housing is divided into a first region in which the motor is housed and a second region which is attached to the vehicle body. A vehicle with a self-propelling function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A sealing member that seals an opening penetrating the housing along a width direction of the vehicle body is provided in the second region. The self-propelled vehicle according to claim 13.

15. The sealing member is provided with a circuit different from a control circuit that controls the motor. The self-propelled vehicle according to claim 14.

Images