Pedal-operated motorized bicycle and license plate reversing mechanism

Abstract

To provide a pedal-operated motorized bicycle and a license plate reversing mechanism for a pedal-operated motorized bicycle.SOLUTION: A pedal-operated motorized bicycle 1 can be ridden as a bicycle by cutting off the power and pedaling, and the pedal-operated motorized bicycle 1 is equipped with a flipping mechanism 30 provided at the rear of a vehicle body 10. The flipping mechanism 30 includes a pivot shaft 31 that rotatably supports a license plate 20 in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 and is configured to switch between a display state M1, where the display surface 20a of the license plate 20 faces rearward relative to the vehicle body 10 by flipping the license plate 20 upward about the pivot axis 31, and a non-display state M2, where the display surface 20a of the license plate 20 faces forward or downward relative to the vehicle body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2a

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal-operated motorized bicycle and a license plate reversing mechanism for a pedal-operated motorized bicycle. [Background technology]

[0002] Pedal mopeds are known, which are motorized bicycles that can be ridden by human power by adding bicycle pedals. Conventionally, even if a pedal moped can be ridden by human power alone without using a motor, the structure of the body does not change to that of a bicycle, and so it has still been treated as a motorized bicycle (Non-Patent Document 1). However, in recent years, pedal-equipped mopeds have been developed that can be switched from motor mode to human-powered mode, in which the vehicle moves using only the pedals without using the power of the motor. Of these vehicles, vehicles that meet the following two requirements are now treated as either mopeds or bicycles, depending on the mode: (1) the rider cannot switch from motor mode to human-powered mode when the vehicle is not stopped, and cannot switch back and forth between human-powered mode and motor mode; and (2) in human-powered mode, the license plate cannot be displayed, and the vehicle is structured in such a way that it cannot be legally ridden as a moped, and this is clearly distinguishable from the outside (Non-Patent Document 2). By switching from motorized mode to human-powered mode, wearing a helmet becomes optional and the bike can be ridden on sidewalks and bike paths where regular bicycles are permitted. Among such pedal-equipped motorized bicycles, there is a known vehicle whose vehicle classification can be changed from motorized bicycle to bicycle by covering the display surface of the license plate from below to conceal the display surface (Non-Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Handling of Pedal-Equipped Mopeds”, [online], March 2005, National Police Agency, Traffic Bureau, [Retrieved May 11, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / www.npa.go.jp / koutsuu / kikaku44 / pedal.pdf> [Non-patent document 2] "Notice on 'Mobility that can change vehicle classification'" [online], June 28, 2021, National Police Agency, Traffic Bureau, [Retrieved May 11, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / www.npa.go.jp / laws / notification / koutuu / kouki / kouki20210628.pdf> [Non-patent document 3] "Motorfan: An electric moped (electric bike with pedals) that quickly transforms into a scooter and bicycle. Let's consider its actual benefits." [online], October 12, 2023, Sanei Co., Ltd., [Retrieved May 11, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / motor-fan.jp / bikes / article / 89013 / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional pedal-equipped motorized bicycles have a structure in which the display surface of the license plate is hidden by a cover, and the position of the license plate itself does not change even when in human-powered mode. Therefore, when driving in human-powered mode, the outline of the license plate can still be seen from the side or front of the vehicle, which could lead to the vehicle being mistaken for being in motorized mode, which could result in traffic enforcement or complaints from pedestrians, which could lead to trouble.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a pedal-equipped motorized bicycle and a license plate reversing mechanism that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pedal-equipped motor-driven bicycle of the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a reversing mechanism provided at the rear of the vehicle body, and the reversing mechanism has a rotating shaft that supports the license plate in the width direction of the vehicle body, and is configured so that the license plate can be switched between a displayed state in which the display surface of the license plate faces toward the rear of the vehicle body and a non-display state in which the display surface of the license plate faces toward the front or downward of the vehicle body by flipping the license plate upward around the rotating shaft.

[0007] In the pedal-equipped motor bicycle of the present invention, the reversing mechanism may include one or more arm bars, one end of which is pivotally supported on the rotating shaft and the other end of which is fixed to the license plate.

[0008] In the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle of the present invention, the vehicle body may include a rear carrier provided above the rear wheel, and the rear carrier may have a storage space capable of storing a license plate in a hidden state.

[0009] In the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle of the present invention, the rear carrier may be provided with a lid that can close the upper part of the storage space.

[0010] The pedal-equipped motor-driven bicycle of the present invention may have a reversal mechanism that includes a tipping axis that supports the license plate from the back in the thickness direction, and the license plate may be configured to be able to tip at least 90 degrees around the tipping axis.

[0011] In the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle of the present invention, the vehicle body may include a control means, and the control means may disable the supply of power from the motor to the wheels in the non-display state.

[0012] The reversing mechanism of the present invention is characterized in that it is provided at the rear of the vehicle body of a motor-driven bicycle and has a rotating shaft that supports the license plate in the width direction of the vehicle body, and is configured so that by flipping the license plate upward around the rotating shaft, it can be switched between a displayed state in which the display surface of the license plate faces toward the rear of the vehicle body and a non-display state in which the display surface of the license plate faces toward the front or downward of the vehicle body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle and license plate reversal mechanism of the present invention are structured so that the license plate can be reversed from the display position at the rear of the vehicle to the front, so that it is clear that the license plate is not displayed when riding in human-powered mode, and there is no risk of being mistaken for riding in motorized mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] Illustration of a motorized bicycle with pedals [Figure 2a] Diagram of the reversing mechanism (1) [Figure 2b] Diagram of the reversing mechanism (2) [Figure 3a] Illustration of inverted license plates (1) [Figure 3b] Illustration of inverted license plates (2) [Figure 3c] Illustration of inverted license plates (3) [Figure 4] Explanatory diagram of Example 2 [Figure 5a] Explanatory diagram of Example 3 (1) [Figure 5b] Explanatory diagram (2) of Example 3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle and license plate reversing mechanism of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the terms "height direction," "width direction," "length direction," etc. refer to the respective directions of the vehicle body of the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle. [Example]

[0016] [Motorcycle with pedals] <1> Overall structure The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1 of the present invention is a motorized bicycle that can be driven using the motor 15a, and can also be driven as a bicycle by cutting off the power of the motor 15a and using the pedal mechanism 15b. The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1 comprises at least a vehicle body 10, a license plate 20, and a reversing mechanism 30 (Fig. 1). In detail, the license plate 20 is attached to the rear of the vehicle body 10 via the reversing mechanism 30. One feature of the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1 is that it can be switched by a reversing mechanism 30 between a display state M1 in which the display surface 20a of the license plate 20 faces rearward from the vehicle body 10, and a non-display state M2 in which the display surface 20a of the license plate 20 faces forward or downward from the vehicle body 10.

[0017] <1.1> Definition of a motorized bicycle A motorized bicycle is a vehicle defined by the Road Traffic Act that can be driven by an internal combustion or electric motor. Motorized bicycles are divided into general motorized bicycles and specified small motorized bicycles. In this example, an electric general motorized bicycle will be described, but it may also be an internal combustion general motorized bicycle or specified small motorized bicycle. General motorized bicycles are divided into Class 1 mopeds with a rated output of 0.6kW or less and Class 2 mopeds with a rated output of 0.6kW to 1.0kW, depending on the rated output (the amount of electricity that can be continuously generated at a stable output). To drive a Class 1 moped, you need a moped license or higher, and to drive a Class 2 moped, you need a small-sized ordinary motorcycle license or higher.

[0018] <2> Vehicle body The vehicle body 10 is the main body structure of the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1. The vehicle body 10 includes at least a frame 11, two wheels 12, a handlebar 13, a saddle 14, a traveling means 15 for driving the wheels 12, and safety equipment 16. In this example, the vehicle further includes a control means 17 for controlling the traveling means 15, and a rear carrier 18 provided behind the frame 11. The safety equipment 16 is equipment for meeting legal safety standards, and includes headlights, brake lights, blinkers, a speedometer, a rearview mirror (not shown), and the like. The other structure of the vehicle body 10 is well known as a general pedal-equipped motorized bicycle, and will not be described in detail here.

[0019] <2.1> Means of transportation The propulsion means 15 is a means for propelling the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1. The traveling means 15 is composed of a combination of a motor 15a and a pedal mechanism 15b, and either mechanism can be selected depending on the purpose of use, traffic conditions, etc. The prime mover 15a is a mechanism for running using power, and includes, for example, a motor provided on the wheel 12, a battery that supplies power to the motor, and an accelerator mechanism and limiter that control the rotation of the motor. The pedal mechanism 15b is a mechanism for propelling the bicycle by human power, and includes, for example, a crank attached to the frame 11, a pedal attached to the tip of the crank, sprockets attached to the crankshaft and the rear wheel 12, and a chain connecting the two sprockets to freely transmit power. However, the structure of the propulsion means 15 is not limited to this, and for example, if the motor 15a is an internal combustion type, it may be equipped with a known gasoline engine mechanism. Also, if the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1 has an electric assist function, the pedal mechanism 15b may further include a motor, a battery, a torque sensor, a reduction gear, etc.

[0020] <2.2> Control means The control means 17 is a means for controlling the traveling means 15 . When the license plate 20 is not displayed, the control means 17 disables (human-powered mode) the supply of power from the prime mover 15a to the wheels 12. Here, "disabling the supply of power from the prime mover to the wheels" includes not only cutting off the power supply from the battery to the motor in the prime mover 15a, but also supplying power from the battery to the motor while preventing the rotation of the motor from being transmitted to the wheels 12. In this example, a changeover switch linked to the rotation shaft 31 of the reversing mechanism 30 is used as the control means 17 . By using the control means 17 to disable the motor 15a in the non-display state M2, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from accidentally traveling with the motor 15a while the license plate 20 is not displayed. It should be noted that the control means 17 is not an essential component of the pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1.

[0021] <2.3> Rear carrier The rear carrier 18 is a mount that can accommodate a license plate 20 . The rear carrier 18 is provided behind the frame 11 and above the wheels 12, and has an accommodation space 18a inside which a license plate 20 can be accommodated. In this example, a pipe frame structure is used for the rear carrier 18, and an opening communicating with the storage space 18a is provided at the top. Although the rear carrier 18 is shown as only a pipe frame in each drawing, in practice the pipe frame may be covered with a resin cover or the like. However, the specific structure of the rear carrier 18 is not limited to the above, and the key point is that it may have a structure that allows the license plate 20 to be accommodated in the accommodation space 18a behind the frame 11.

[0022] <3> Reversing mechanism The reversing mechanism 30 is a mechanism for reversing the license plate 20. The reversing mechanism 30 includes at least a rotating shaft 31 that supports the license plate 20 in the width direction of the vehicle body 10. In this example, it also includes two arm bars 32, a base plate 33, and a tipping shaft 34 (Fig. 2a). In more detail, the following structure is used, for example (Fig. 2b). Two pivot shafts 31 are provided facing inward in the width direction on two pipes arranged side by side in the width direction at the top of the rear carrier 18. Two arm bars 32, roughly L-shaped in side view, are arranged side by side, and the tips of the two arm bars 32 are connected by a connecting plate 32a. The base ends of the two arm bars 32 are respectively supported by the two pivot shafts 31. A tipping shaft 34 protruding in the thickness direction of the connecting plate 32a is provided at the center of the rear surface of the connecting plate 32a, and rotatably supports the base plate 33. The license plate 20 is fixed to the back surface of the base plate 33. With the above-described structure, the reversing mechanism 30 can flip the license plate 20 upward and reverse it backward around the pivot 31. The reversing mechanism 30 can also tilt the license plate 20 together with the base plate 33 by 90 degrees around the tipping axis 34. However, the specific structure of the reversing mechanism 30 is not limited to the above, and it may be any structure that can at least flip the license plate 20 upward and reverse it.

[0023] <4> Reverse license plate The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle 1 of the present invention can easily be flipped by the flipping mechanism 30 from a display state M1 in which the display surface 20a of the license plate 20 faces rearward from the vehicle body 10 to a non-display state M2 in which the display surface 20a faces forward or downward from the vehicle body 10. In more detail, the license plate is flipped, for example, in the following manner. The license plate 20 is turned over by 90 degrees together with the base plate 33 around the tipping axis 34 so that it is in landscape orientation (vertical orientation) (FIG. 3a). The license plate 20 facing sideways is flipped up and rotated forward around the rotation axis 31 (FIG. 3b). In this way, the license plate 20 is turned over and stored in the storage space 18a of the rear carrier 18 with the display surface 20a facing downward or forward (FIG. 3c). Moreover, by performing the above steps in reverse, it is possible to switch from the non-display state M2 to the display state M1. However, the method of inverting the license plate 20 is not limited to the above. For example, if the inversion mechanism 30 does not have a tipping axis 34, the width of the storage space 18a may be widened and the license plate 20 may be inverted while still in a vertical (horizontal) orientation and stored in the storage space 18a. [Example]

[0024] [Example in which the reversing mechanism does not have an arm bar] In the first embodiment, the reversing mechanism 30 includes the arm bar 32, which is pivotally supported by the rotary shaft 31, but this is not limiting. In this example, the reversing mechanism 30 does not include the arm bar 32, and the base plate 33 is pivotally supported directly on the rear carrier 18 (FIG. 4). In detail, the base plate 33 is configured to have a generally L-shape in a side view, consisting of a rear plate and an upper plate, and the front end of the upper plate is pivotally supported by two rotating shafts 31 extending in the width direction of the rear carrier 18. In addition, to prevent the rear plate of the base plate 33 from hiding the safety equipment 16, such as brake lights, a through window 33a is provided in the rear plate of the base plate 33 to allow the safety equipment 16 to pass through. [Example]

[0025] [Example in which the rear carrier has a lid] In the first embodiment, the accommodation space 18a of the rear carrier 18 is open upward, but this is not limiting. In this embodiment, the rear carrier 18 is provided with a lid 18b that covers the upper part of the accommodation space 18a. In detail, the lid 18b has a sheet-like structure made of synthetic leather filled with urethane resin, and two pairs of belts with plastic buckles attached to the ends are provided below the lid 18b (Fig. 5(a)). In this example, by placing the lid 18b on the rear carrier 18, passing the belt through the pipe frame, and fastening the plastic buckle, in the non-display state M2, the license plate 20 can be completely hidden within the storage space 18a, and luggage etc. can be loaded onto the lid 18b. The structure of the lid 18b is not limited to a belt-connected structure, but may be a structure in which the lid 18b is pivoted in the longitudinal direction on one side edge of the upper part of the rear carrier 18 and opens and closes in the width direction relative to the storage space 18a (Figure 5(b)), or a structure in which the lid 18b is pivoted in the width direction on the front edge of the upper part of the rear carrier 18 and opens and closes in the longitudinal direction relative to the storage space 18a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1. Pedal moped 10 Vehicle body 11 frames 12 wheels 13 Handle 14 Saddle 15. Means of transportation 15a Prime Mover 15b Pedal mechanism 16 Security equipment 17 Control Means 18 Rear carrier 18a Containment Space 18b Lid 20 license plate 20a Display surface 30 Reversal mechanism 31 Rotating shaft 32 Armbar 33 Base Plate 33a Through window 34 Tipping axis M1 display state M2 Hidden state

Claims

1. A motorized bicycle with pedals that can be driven as a bicycle by cutting off the power and pedaling, Equipped with a reversing mechanism installed at the rear of the vehicle body, The reversing mechanism includes a rotation shaft that pivotally supports the license plate in the width direction of the vehicle body, The license plate is configured to be able to be switched between a display state in which the display surface of the license plate faces rearward of the vehicle body and a non-display state in which the display surface of the license plate faces forward or downward of the vehicle body by flipping the license plate upward around the pivot shaft. A motorized bicycle with pedals.

2. the inversion mechanism includes one or more arm bars; One end of the arm bar is pivotally supported on the rotating shaft, and the other end is fixed to the license plate.

2. The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle according to claim 1.

3. the vehicle body includes a rear carrier provided above the rear wheels, The rear carrier has an accommodation space capable of accommodating the license plate in the non-display state.

2. The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle according to claim 1.

4. The rear carrier is characterized in that it has a lid that can close an upper portion of the storage space.

4. The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle according to claim 3.

5. The inversion mechanism includes a tipping shaft that pivotally supports the license plate from the back surface in the thickness direction, The license plate is configured to be able to tip at least 90 degrees around the tipping axis.

2. The pedal-equipped motorized bicycle according to claim 1.

6. the vehicle body includes a control means, The control means disables the supply of power from the prime mover to the wheels in the non-display state.

6. A pedal-equipped motorized bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A license plate reversing mechanism is provided at the rear of a motorized bicycle with pedals that can be driven as a bicycle by cutting off the power and pedaling, A rotation shaft is provided to pivotally support the license plate in the width direction of the vehicle body, The license plate is configured to be able to be switched between a display state in which the display surface of the license plate faces rearward of the vehicle body and a non-display state in which the display surface of the license plate faces forward or downward of the vehicle body by flipping the license plate upward around the pivot shaft. Reversal mechanism.

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